Giants Game 3 Recap - "The Execution"

Giants RB Andre Brown

Yeah so I've made an executive decision that I will now come up with a nickname for each week. Last week was, "The Heart Attack" and this week's 36-7 slaughtering over the Carolina Panthers will be named, "The Execution."(we're going to go ahead and forget that Cowboys game)

Anyways, the G-Men came out guns blazing, firing on all cylinders. With all of the talk over the past week about injuries and the short week of preparation for the Panthers "college style" option offense, the odds were stacked against them. Of course, those pesky Giants that always seem to play their best when no one expects them to, did it again with their performance tonight.


Cam Newton was uncomfortable all night, and someone woke up the beast that is the Giants defense. The D and special teams caused 5 turnovers including 3 interceptions by LB Michael Boley (underratedly has 3 picks in 3 games,) impressive rookie Jayron Hosley, and backup safety Stevie Brown. Newton was also sacked twice and had a bunch of passes deflected at the line. The Giants defense also did a wonderful job containing Newton, 6 rushes for 6 yards, and the option.

Offensively the Giants just clicked. Plain and simple. Knifing through the soft Panthers defense over and over, 5-8 yards at a time, scoring on 8 of their 10 drives. It was a thing of beauty to watch. Eli was on point going 27 for 35 for 288 yards and a touchdown to Martellus Bennett (6 catches, 73 yards, TD) who really played solid when we needed him to. Also, the offensive line did a wonderful job tonight. Eli had all day to go through his reads, and they really stepped up without David Diehl (knee).

With all of the positives the Giants can take away from this victory, what stood out the most was the play of running back Andre Brown and wide receiver Ramses Barden. With workhorse starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw (neck) and star wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (foot) out with injuries, these guys needed to do enough to get a W tonight. They did that and then some. This was the first real night to prove that they can play in this league, and both made the best of their opportunities. Brown got the start at running back, and exploded for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries. He has been very impressive so far, and the Giants might have found a diamond in the rough with this guy. He reminds me of another back that played very well for us a few years ago. A guy by the name of Derrick Ward.

King Ramses had a big night in his first start

Barden on the other hand, was Eli's go to guy all night. With stud wideout Victor Cruz (6 catches for 42 yards) drawing most of the secondary's attention, Barden abused the Panthers countless times. He had 9 catches for 138 yards, and he also reminded me of someone who was very good for us a few years back...Plaxico Burress. He is a big target who creates space for himself downfield, and with the emergence of Barden, coach Tom Coughlin can now put him on the outside oppostie Nicks, and bump Cruz back to the slot where he is more comfortable.



I may be jumping to conclusions on these guys, and we do play a much better secondary and defense overall next week in the Philadelphia Eagles, but I really think these guys open up our offense. With Nicks and Barden on the outside, Cruz in the slot, Bennett working the middle of the field and Bradshaw and Brown in the backfield, Eli Manning has an extensive arsenal of weapons. Add in rookie David Wilson, whom I think the Giants should use like the Saints use Darren Sproles (more split out at wideout), who by the way will come around mark my words. That is a scary unit.

One Last Thing: Hats off to kicker Larry Tynes tonight. The guy was just burying field goals all night. He looked like LeBron out there. He was 5 for 5 on field goals and not to mention 3 extra points. The offense puts up 18 points, Tynes matches it with 18 of his own. I can't say I hate it.