Giants Edge Chiefs: 3 Studs, 2 Duds, and 1 Play

The Giants made the score look far closer than it should have been. For NFL fans not watching this game, they might get the idea that Cassel may have had a nice showing. Maybe they thought Larry Johnson made the (usually) great run defense look pathetic.

Neither was the case.

The Giants came out guns-a-blazing like always and scored for the fourth consecutive time on their first drive. They controlled the entire first half and lit up the Chiefs for roughly five straight drives, until they finally converted on a third down.

As the title states however, you will get a better look at how this one went when looking at the duds, studs, and the play.

Three Studs

Steve Smith, 11 catches, 134 yards, 2 TD's
Smith is incredibly agile, sure handed, and an all around phenomenal athlete. He has performed to perfection in every game this season, and some how, some way always finds a way to stay open.

He has only recently been noticed on the media levels, but has been known to Giants fans as the guy that would replace Plaxico Burress.

Smith had eight of his 11 catches come in the first half, and both touchdowns. As far as I can remember, almost every touchdown has been in the middle of the field where Smith likes it best. He will continue to torch defenses for 5-10 catches until they prove they can actually cover him.

Eli Manning, 20/34, 294 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT, 104.0 QB Rating
Manning continued to beat defenses when they decided to stack the box and it wasn't any difference against Kansas City. Two of his three scores as mentioned previously went to #12, and the third was to rookie Hakeem Nicks (more about that later)

Manning had the ball zipping from left to right all day, and sometimes even rolled out or shuffled his feet in the pocket to deliver a pin-point toss. The interception was thrown to the back shoulder of Mario Manningham, so the blame can really go either way.

Big Blue Wreckin' Crew
The game was more of a killing than it might appear to be, remember? After Manning went down the defense was forced in the game frequently and looked pretty tired when all was said and done.

Michael Boley, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Rocky Bernard all found their way into the quarterback, and to be honest one of these guys possibly had a chance at all five considering how many guys flooded the backfield every time it was infiltrated by blue jerseys. Factor in the fumble on the opening drive, and the New York G-Men brought it to KC.

Two Duds

Mario Manningham and... Mario Manningham...
When you get targeted the second most on the team (8) but you fail to catch even a quarter of those balls, you automatically deserve the only spot on such a list.

Manningham has been extremely dependable up until this point in the season, but he had quite an off day on Sunday. He had at least three passes bounce directly off his hands, and that number is generous. Manning's interception even could have possibly been negated had Manningham caught what hit him in the hands, though I must admit, not very accurately.

Manningham did have one catch, and it did go for a whopping 43 yards, but even that almost escaped his grasp. Manning threw a fade to MM who was streaking down the right sideline and bobbled the ball two or three times in stride and almost didn’t even make the box score.

One Play

Manning to Nicks... 54 yards of pain
I must admit I kind of cheated here. This is actually a combination of two plays. The first is in which Manning threw an incompletion to Steve Smith for what would've been a 35 yards pass. What makes it important is what happened before the throw. Manning appeared to have crow-hopped as an outfielder would before throwing the ball, except no one even touched Eli on the pass.

What has since been described as a bruised heel, Kevin Gilbride called a screen pass on the next play, probably to ensure that Manning wouldn't have to do much. I don't think they foresaw Hakeem "The Dream" Nicks streaking for 54 yards after weaving past two defenders. When Nicks got down to the five yard line, he beautifully angled himself for a stutter go after the safety looked foolish.

Look Ahead
The Giants return home against the Raiders and I expect the running game to hit 200 yards for the first time this season. Also, look for Mario Manningham to have a comeback game as Nmandi "Awesome"gha will be all over Steve Smith.

‘Til next week, go Big Blue!!

*As this is my first column in a great while, I must apologize to my other community leaders for somewhat dropping the ball. I entered the University of Southern Maine in the fall and had little to no time on my hands. Don't fret however, I plan on chronicling the New York Giants season from here on out.*