Emotional Start is Enough for New York Giants' Victory

Michael Strahan was known for being a leader for the New York Giants. Though retired, Strahan gave the team enough of a kick-start to beat the Washington Redskins in the first game of the NFL regular season. Strahan opened the game by hoisting the Super Bowl trophy, and pumping up the crowd.

The energy translated to the field as the Giants scored on all four possessions in the first half. Plaxico Burress was the story of the game. Burress looked uncoverable as he reeled in a career high 10 receptions totaling 133 yards. Brandon Jacobs also saw the bulk of the work, carrying 21 times for 116 brutal yards.

After the fast start, the Giants offense slowly but surely bogged down for the rest of the game. The next three possessions, New York was able to drive the ball down the field, but was forced to settle for three field goals. The Giants had problems with kick coverage too.

Rock Cartwright was one of the few bright spots for the Redskins. Cartwright had two big kick returns in the first half, including the 50-yarder that set up Washington’s only scoring drive. The Giant defense was able to keep Jason Campbell and the Redskin offense out of synch the entire game.

Campbell finished 15-27 for only 133 yards. At times in the second half, it seemed as though new head coach Jim Zorn was almost afraid to let Campbell even attempt a pass. Multiple drives in the second half featured back-to-back-to-back running plays. Clinton Portis finished with 23 carries for 84 yards.

Washington just could not get their offense moving. They gained only 11 first downs, three of which were from penalties. The Redskins were a dismal 3-13 on third down conversions. The Giants defense did have something to do with the poor showing from the Redskins.

Though only recording one sack, the Giant defense put pressure on Campbell all night. The secondary also kept the Washington receivers under wraps for most of the night. Getting the win is a great way for the Giants to start their title defense, but there are some concerns coming from this game.

In the second half, the Washington defense held the Giant offense to the same numbers as the Washington offense. In addition, Eli Manning was picked off once, but Washington defenders dropped two more interceptions. Manning finished with a quarterback rating of 61, 20 points lower than Jason Campbell.

Coming away from this game, the Giants look very similar to last year’s team. The defense caused lots of havoc. The offense showed flashes of potency through the air, and brutality on the ground. This team will beat up every opponent they face, win, or lose. The Redskins look like a big work in progress.

The defense seems to be in a good place. They put pressure on Manning, registering two sacks and an interception. The offense, however, will take lots of time. I expect Portis will be among the league leaders in carries again. Next up, New York travels to St. Louis to face the Rams, while Washington will host the New Orleans Saints.

This was a huge game for both teams fighting for position in a division considered one of the two toughest in football. Getting a win, in front of the home crowd, was exactly what the Giants needed.