Dolphins vs. Giants: 5 Adjustments New York Must Make for the 2nd Half

The 4-2 Giants are taking on the winless Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. By most accounts, this is a game Big Blue should win. They've looked questionable after two quarters, having allowed the Dolphins to jump out for a halftime lead. Here are five adjustments the Giants should make to take the game in the 2nd half:

1. Rush Game

Eli Manning has been looking on point, but the Giants are 30th in the NFL in rushing. This glaring stat is evident even today, against a poor Miami defense. Ahmad Bradshaw should get more touches so he can get a little bit comfortable and be able to break down the rushing defense of the Dolphins.

2. Pressure Matt Moore

Moore cannot be allowed to scramble for first downs when his passing options are extinguished. While he certainly hasn't been a starting QB in this league for a long time, he rushed for a career-long 16 yards on one play in the first quarter. Unacceptable.

3. Avoid Dumb Penalties

With Miami in the red zone, the Giants stopped the Dolphins rush at the line of scrimmage. New York was called for unnecessary roughness, giving the Miami--a horrible red zone team--another go at a first down. This time, they converted, getting on the board first. Without the penalty, the Giants defense would have had the momentum to possibly make Miami settle for 3 points.

4. Don't Turn the Ball Over on Downs

Coughlin inexplicably went for a 4th and 9 in the first drive of the game, turning the ball over on downs after a very overthrown ball by Eli Manning. I can understand the desire to get on the board before your opponent, but the Giants were in field-goal range, and there was very little reason to take that kind of risk.

5. Continue Protecting Eli

The Giants' starting center, David Boss, went out with an injury in the 2nd quarter. Big Blue has been doing an incredible job of giving Eli Manning all the time in the world to throw the ball. With Boss out, it might be a little more difficult to continue that great protection. The new center and the rest of the offensive line need to continue their hard work.