(Sports Network) – Though the New York Giants enter Sunday’s tussle ranked just 20th in total offense (324.0 ypg), they’ve done a good job capitalizing on opportunities and keeping mistakes to a minimum. New York committed a league-worst 42 turnovers in 2010 but has just two through the first three weeks, while the team has scored touchdowns on five of its six red-zone trips so far this season. Eli Manning’s (745 passing yards, 6 TD, 2 INT) improved efficiency and decision-making have certainly been contributing factors to that success, and the veteran quarterback has put together some excellent games at University of Phoenix Stadium in the past. He’ll be working with close to a full complement of receivers this week with wideout Mario Manningham (7 receptions) slated to return after sitting out the Philadelphia game with a concussion, though the sparingly-used Cruz (5 receptions, 2 TD) filled the void nicely by accumulating a career-best 110 yards and two scores on only three catches. Manning also made good use of running backs Ahmad Bradshaw (189 rushing yards, 11 receptions, 2 total TD) and Brandon Jacobs (98 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 2 total TD), with the diverse duo compiling 95 receiving yards and two touchdowns on a combined seven catches last week. Bradshaw added a season-high 86 rushing yards on just 15 carries against the Eagles, and the hard-nosed back has improved his ball security as well after fumbling seven times in 2010.
Count on both Bradshaw and Jacobs getting plenty of work against an Arizona defense that comes in just 27th against the run (122.7 ypg) and permitted 122 yards on the ground to the rushing-deficient Seahawks last week. The Cardinals did a better job stifling Seattle’s non-threatening passing game, limiting their divisional foe to 139 net yards through the air and coming up with four sacks, with talented end Calais Campbell (18 tackles, 2.5 sacks) credited with 2 1/2 takedowns on the quarterback in addition to racking up 10 tackles in a monster game. Fellow lineman Darnell Dockett (9 tackles, 0.5 sacks) and veteran outside linebacker Clark Haggans (10 tackles) are two other proven pass rushers on a unit that’s registered a total of nine sacks thus far. The secondary is green at the cornerback spots, with intriguing rookie Patrick Peterson (14 tackles, 1 INT) manning one side and former practice-squad member A.J. Jefferson (16 tackles, 5 PD) the other, but safeties Adrian Wilson (14 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PD) and Kerry Rhodes (18 tackles, 2 sacks) are an experienced tandem with five Pro Bowl citations between them.