New York Giants Week 16 Report Card: Grading Each Unit vs. New York Jets

The New York Giants reignited their hopes of a playoff berth in Week 16 with a convincing 29-14 win over the crosstown rival New York Jets "on the road” inside MetLife Stadium.

As a result, the Giants are alive in the NFC East hunt, which will culminate in Round 2 between the Giants and Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.

The Giants defense performed up to par for the first time all season and shut down Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and the offense all afternoon. Sanchez threw two interceptions, fumbled once and was sacked five times, while the Jets offensive line struggled to slow the relentless Giants pass-rush.

The NFL’s fourth-leading sack man, Jason Pierre-Paul, accounted for two of the Giants’ five sacks—he has 15.5 sacks on the season.

The Giants offense also came to life after a week off in Week 15 against the Washington Redskins, though the stats don’t necessarily reveal it. Big Blue ran off 20 consecutive points against the Jets’ top 10 defense in the NFL, sparked to life by a record-setting 99-yard touchdown reception by Victor Cruz in the third quarter.

With their backs against the wall, it was expected the Giants would collapse, as has been the story since head coach Tom Coughlin took over in 2004.

Instead, the Giants came ready to play against their stadium-mates with the intent of delivering a potentially fatal blow to the Jets’ own playoff aspirations. In doing so, the Giants are one game away from clinching the NFC East title with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys—a team they beat in dramatic fashion in Week 14 at Dallas, 38-34.

Here is the New York Giants’ report card for each unit’s performance in their Week 16 victory.

Eli Manning

Eli Manning wasn’t fantastic in his play against the New York Jets, but he did what he needed to do to guide the New York Giants to victory.

A handful of drops mar his numbers, but one specific play—a 99-yard touchdown connection with Victor Cruz—was all Manning needed to do to prove how legit he is as an NFL quarterback.

With pressure coming and Manning’s heels at the back of the end zone, he did what only he could do—and then Cruz did the rest.

It’s the story for this entire season. Manning and his receivers playing well above what anyone had expected.

Manning’s success against the most dangerous cornerback tandem in the NFL—Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie—led the Giants to victory and has enabled New York a huge opportunity to clinch a division title and playoff berth in their Week 17 battle against the Dallas Cowboys.

He finished the afternoon 9-of-27 passing but did so for 225 yards and that Victor Cruz touchdown.

Manning did throw an interception in the fourth quarter which led to a Jets touchdown, but his mistakes did not ultimately harm the result. The Giants did not need perfection from their quarterback on this day.

Grade: B-

Running Backs

The New York Giants’ ground attack is back.

After weeks of abysmal play from the running back position, the healthy Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs appear back to form.

The Jets’ 16th-ranked run defense struggled to slow down Jacobs, and Bradshaw was especially effective in the red zone, tallying two touchdowns for the Giants.

Jacobs rushed for 42 yards on seven carries and bowled defenders over on an early 13-yard reception that sparked excitement from the Giants’ sideline as well as the Giants fans in attendance.

Bradshaw, meanwhile, rushed for 54 yards on 15 carries, with those two touchdown runs, and also caught a pass for eight yards.

Together, they rushed for 115 yards on 26 carries—4.4 yards per carry—and helped Manning and the Giants offense to control the clock and the game against the Jets.

Grade: A

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

For much of the afternoon, New York Giants receivers were on lock-down by the New York Jets’ stellar pass coverage.

Unfortunately for the Jets, while Darrelle Revis was able to live up to his nickname, “Revis Island,” Antonio Cromartie couldn’t keep the Giants’ breakout receiver, Victor Cruz, wrapped up for long.

Cruz had a huge afternoon for the Giants with 164 yards over three receptions, including an exciting 99-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.

Hakeem Nicks, Devin Thomas and Ramses Barden each added a reception, but with just nine completions from Eli Manning, the receivers could only contribute so much.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

The New York Giants offensive line has been playing better in recent weeks, and that did not change in their Week 16 victory over the New York Jets.

The offensive line allowed just two sacks on Eli Manning all game, and their pass protection enabled him to throw for 225 yards despite completing just nine passes all game.

They opened holes for Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, and comfortably controlled the line of scrimmage against their crosstown rivals.

In doing so, the Giants tallied 29 points against a premier defense in the NFL and 332 total yards against the NFL’s seventh-ranked defense in terms of total yards allowed.

Grade: A

Defense

Perry Fewell may not be off the hook, but the New York Giants defense certainly came to play in Week 16 against the New York Jets.

After recent weeks where it appeared second-year defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was the only one showing up to play, the Giants shut the Jets offense down quite handily.

They posted five sacks on Mark Sanchez, while forcing the third-year quarterback from USC to turn the football over three times.

The Giants’ coverage was better than it has been all season and allowed just 258 passing yards over 59 passing attempts by Sanchez—good enough for just 3.5 yards per pass play.

Boasting the NFL’s fifth-worst defense in terms of points allowed, the Giants surrendered 14 points to the Jets en route to the big victory.

Grade: A+

Special Teams

The New York Giants special teams is nothing to boast about but was more than serviceable in the win.

Lawrence Tynes continues to be one of the most dependable players for the Giants, connecting on two field goals for New York.

The Giants’ kick coverage teams were good, with the exception of a 28-yard punt return surrendered to Jeremy Kerley.

Still, nothing huge was given up, and the Giants were able to win the battle for field position for most of the game.

Grade: B

Coaching

In the NFL, a coach’s success is measured by the wins that he garners.

For the New York Giants’ Tom Coughlin and his staff, this win was a big one.

With the Giants’ season and likely Coughlin’s job on the line, Coughlin had his team and his coaches ready to win on Christmas Eve against the New York Jets. The Giants did that convincingly.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s defense was successful against the Jets and silenced them all afternoon.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, meanwhile, kept away from foolish play-calling, did not quit on the run game and the Giants succeeded because of it.

Now, Coughlin has the Giants in prime position to sweep the Dallas Cowboys and win the NFC East. This game, as has been the case for weeks, is a must-win for the Giants.

Grade: A+