The New York Giants saved their season and took control of the NFC East wth Sunday’s 37-34 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
It Was Over When …
Jason Pierre-Paul blocked Dan Bailey’s 47-yard field goal with six seconds left. Bailey made his first kick, but it was negated when Giants coach Tom Coughlin called a timeout. Pierre-Paul blocked the second effort.
Turning Point Of The Game
There were several of these. The final one, though, was a failure by Dallas quarterback Tony Romo to connect with Miles Austin on a pass that would have sealed a Dallas victory. With Dallas leading 34-29 and facing a third-and-five at their own 25-yard line with 2:25 remaining Austin broke clear of Giants cornerback Aaron Ross for what should have been a game-clinching 75-yard touchdown pass. Instead, Romo overshot Austin and Dallas had to punt. The Giants then drove 58 yards for the game-winning score.
The Good
The tremendous work by Pierre-Paul, who finished with eight tackles, two sacked, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal … the 400-yard passing day by Eli Manning, who now has a record-setting 15 fourth-quarter touchdown passes this season and has led five fourth-quarter come-from-behind victories … The 101 yards rushing for Brandon Jacobs … The seven catches for 154 yards for Hakeem Nicks.
The Bad
Ahmad Bradshaw violating team rules and being benched for the first half by Coughlin.
The Ugly
The atrocious pass defense for both teams. The Cowboys blew a bunch of coverages while Manning was passing for 400 yards. The Giants did the same while Romo was passing for 321 yards and four touchdowns of his own … The fractured ankle suffered by DeMarco Murray, the tremendous rookie running back for the Cowboys.
Quotable
“We have a great quarterback,” running back Brandon Jacobs said. "If you ask me he’s the best in the business when our backs are against the wall and we need a score. He’s never let me down.
“I believe in him. I believe in our offense, I believe in our coaches and they got it done.”
— See the ‘Kudos & Wet Willies’ game review, plus much more coverage at Big Blue View.