New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 5 Reasons the Giants Cruz'd To Victory

The injury-riddled New York Giants entered their game with the Philadelphia Eagles losers of six straight to their Division rivals. Relying on big plays from an unlikely source, the Giants upset the Eagles 29-16 in a key early-season NFC East showdown.

Victor Cruz took the place of the injured Mario Manningham in the Giants lineup and had the best day of his young career.  While he undoubtedly stole the show and will dominate the headlines, here are five reasons why the Giants were able to escape with the victory.

5. Injury to Michael Vick

Michael Vick completed 16-23 passes for 176 yards with no touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for 31 yards on seven carries. The Giants, however, were able to get pressure on Vick, and the battering took its toll with Vick being forced from the game with a broken non-throwing hand.

The Giants defense hit Vick early and hit him often with only two sacks on the Eagles QB officially, but numerous hits and hurries.  Vick complained afterwards about the hits, even though he said that he was not complaining, wondering aloud why he's not given better protection by the officials.

DeSean Jackson hints that some of Vick’s frustration may have been directed at his offensive line, but Vick also needs to look in the mirror when assessing blame for the hits.  He holds on to the ball longer than most quarterbacks and extends the play with his legs. 

It makes for a fine line to be drawn by the officials in protecting the quarterback, while making the distinction between when he’s transitioning from passer to runner, all while being fair to the defense. 

4. The Stellar Play of Eli Manning

Like Vick, Eli Manning also completed 16 of 23 passes, but unlike Vick, Manning’s passes went for 254 yards and four touchdowns. He had no interceptions and a 145.7 passer rating in easily his best performance of the season.

It was his second straight four-touchdown game against the Eagles, and his highest passer-rating in two-seasons, dating back to October 2009, when he posted a rating of 158.3 in a 44-7 rout of the Oakland Raiders.

Manning ended a streak of seven straight games throwing at least one interception, no small feat considering the ball-hawking talent in the Eagles’ secondary, namely Nnamdi Asomugha (3 Pro Bowls, 12 INTs), Asante Samuel (4 Pro Bowl, 43 INTs) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (1 Pro Bowl, 13 INTs).

3. The Neutralizing of the Philadelphia Big Plays by the Giants Defense

The Eagles are known for their quick-strike ability, and the Giants did a tremendous job of negating this by limiting the big plays.  Aside from the pressure on Vick, the Giants forced him into an interception and three fumbles (all recovered by the Eagles).

They also pressured his replacement, Mike Kafka, into two late interceptions to seal the victory.  The Giants defense did allow 128 rushing yards to LeSean McCoy, including an 11-yard scamper near the end of the second quarter for Philadelphia’s only touchdown on the day.

The defense also allowed 69 receiving yards on 5 catches to Jeremy Maclin, but limited big-play threat DeSean Jackson to just 30 receiving yards on two catches and 13 yards on one punt return.  It was the classic “bend but don’t break” philosophy at its most effective.

2. The Game-Changing Play of Victor Cruz

Giants fans will tell you about the three-touchdown night Victor Cruz had in his first significant game for the Giants last season against the Jets.  Don’t remember it?  That could be because it came in the preseason, and Cruz was hurt shortly thereafter, ending his rookie season.

Cruz caught three passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns, including a 28-yard reception seven minutes into the fourth quarter to put the Giants ahead for good. He was defended on the play by the Eagles best defensive player, Asomugha, who had support from safety Jarrad Page over the top.

Manning showed great confidence (or naiveté, depending on your perspective) in challenging Asomugha and going to the unheralded Cruz.  Cruz, however, attacked the ball at its highest point and showed great strength in fighting off the two defenders for the score.

Earlier Manning hit Cruz on a simple third and two from the Giants 26-yard line. The receiver did the rest, turning the eight-yard pass into a 74-yard touchdown, the first of his career, to make the score 14-0. His two touchdowns were the difference in the game

With Manningham’s injury and Domenik Hixon being lost for the season, the Giants are hoping that Cruz can catch lightning in a bottle and give a much-needed boost to their banged up receiving corps.

1. Kevin Gilbride’s Play Calling

It is hard to downplay the impact that the Vick injury and Cruz' plays had on the game, but placed in context, neither of these would have mattered in the victory had it not been for the exceptional game plan drawn up by Kevin Gilbride.

Eagles’ defensive coordinator Juan Castillo shuffled around his linebacking corps in an attempt to protect rookie, Casey Matthews.  Matthews, son of Clay, brother of Clay, Jr. and nephew of Bruce, started the first two games at middle linebacker but struggled mightily.

Rivera moved him to the weakside where Gilbride drew up a play to isolate him in the passing game.  With Hakeem Nicks and Cruz lining up to the left and Brandon Jacobs in the backfield, Manning faked the hand off to Jacobs, with Nicks and Cruz clearing out the left side.

Matthews bit hard on the second and five play-action fake as Jacobs ran past him into the now deserted secondary. Manning lofted a perfect touch pass to Jacobs who then ran 40 yards down the left side for the game’s opening score.

The play was emblematic of the way the Giants offense kept the Philadelphia defense off-balance all day.  Leading by six points with 3:34 left in game and facing a third and 22 from the Eagles 20-yard line, Gilbride drew up another gem to take advantage of the Eagle pass rush.

The Giants have been one of the better screening teams in the past, but in recent seasons have been more selective in employing it.  Returning to their strength, Gilbride had Manning hit Bradshaw on a screen which caught the Eagles by surprise.

Bradshaw took the pass untouched into the end zone to put the Giants up by 13 points, nearly insurmountable, considering that the Eagles would have to rely on the unproven Kafka at quarterback.

In light of the gutsy play calls that went to Cruz, Gilbride deserves credit for the subtle, yet hugely important role he played in helping the Giants secure a vital, early-season victory over their Division rivals.