NFL

Giants report card: Week 12 vs. Cowboys

OFFENSE

That the Giants ran for a season-high 202 yards split between Andre Brown (career-high 127 yards) and Brandon Jacobs (75 on only nine carries) and didn’t win is ridiculous. Eli Manning (16-of-30, 174 yards) hit TD passes to Brandon Myers and Louis Murphy, Jr. but never got clicking. Quiet game and huge gaffe by Victor Cruz (2-27) on takeaway that gave Dallas its first TD. Lousy in red zone.

GRADE: C+


DEFENSE

Only 17 points allowed, but you call that a defensive stand? Tied at 21, Tony Romo marched 64 yards to set up the winning field goal. Antrel Rolle, moved to nickel back because Trumaine McBride got hurt, was exploited repeatedly on the final drive. Run-stopping not great on DeMarco Murray (14-86). Dez Bryant (9-102) was a headache and Jason Witten has four TDs in two games against the Giants. Four sacks weren’t enough.

GRADE: B-


SPECIAL TEAMS

Steve Weatherford this time expertly navigated the wind with punts of 68 and 67 yards. Josh Brown hit field goals of 21 and 23 yards. Coverage was fine, return game ordinary again.

GRADE: B+


COACHING

Tom Coughlin’s teams aren’t supposed to commit 11 penalties and lose composure in big spots, but that’s what the Giants did. On the final drive, Perry Fewell didn’t go after Romo, who had all day to slice the defense apart. Kevin Gilbride should have run the ball more than he did, as the Giants had 30 runs and 30 passes but were better running it.

GRADE: C