The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Giants vs. Rams

The Good

Just about everything was good for the Giants in this game. It started to look like a replay of week one, with the Giants completely dominating the game but not racking up the points. But four second-half touchdowns took care of that, as the contest turned into a romp, with the final score ending up 41-13. The domination was spread across the stat sheet: 441 total yards for New York to only 201 for St. Louis, 241 passing yards to 133 and 200 rushing yards to a measly 68.

Eli Manning was much better in this game than the opener. He was 20 for 29, throwing for 260 yards and three touchdowns. Sure, it was against the hapless Rams, but they’re still in the NFL (arent’t they?). During a two-minute-offense drive right before halftime, he even completed a pass lefthanded to Brandon Jacobs, instead of taking a sack. He led touchdown drives of 97, 82, 72 and 64 yards.

The three-headed rushing monster accounted for 200 yards (Jacobs ran for 93, Derrick Ward 58, Ahmad Bradshaw 52). Their versatility is hard to stop. Bradshaw caught an 18-yard TD pass and also rushed for a 31-yarder. As always, the O line created holes and only allowed two sacks. Amani Toomer had a big game: six receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown. Plaxico Burress was his usual productive self (five catches, 81 yards, one TD). And Domenik Hixon made some key receptions, especially on the drive right before the half (three catches, 60 yards).

The defense proved once again that it could dominate a game (I know, I know, it’s only the Rams). After being held all game long by the ineffective Rams offensive line, Justin Tuck still came up with two sacks, and returned an interception 41 yards for a score. He’s picking up right where he left off in the Super Bowl. St. Louis had to key on him, which opened up the floodgates for everyone else. Fred Robbins dropped Marc Bulger twice, and the D had six sacks total (Antonio Pierce and Jay Alford recorded the other two). Safety Michael Johnson led all defensemen with seven tackles.

John Carney went two for two in field-goal attempts (39 and 33 yards), and there were no mishaps in the kicking or coverage side of things. And neither Carney nor the ageless Jeff Feagles broke a hip. Tom Coughlin even won a replay challenge.

The Bad

Not much to choose from here. The Giants still don’t have a completion to a tight end this year. It’s not hurting them so far, but they’re not going to be able to get away with this all season. At least we don’t have to watch Jeremy Shockey freaking out on the sidelines because he’s not getting the ball. Plaxico Burress committed a stupid taunting penalty after Bradshaw’s first TD. Luckily it didn’t hurt the team.

The Ugly

Let’s just go with the Rams here. They’ve lost two blowouts to start the year. Good luck the rest of the way, St. Louis. Nothing ugly for the Giants this week No injuries and solid performances all around.

So far in the season, the Giants have not only won the first two games, which they were supposed to win, but they completely dominated. And they were better this week than last. The offense just turned it on when they had to, and the defense is smothering the opposition.