Paul Schwartz breaks down how the Giants performed in the loss to the Broncos.
OFFENSE
Balance? Try dysfunctional. You run the ball 19 times and gain 23 yards you aren’t going anywhere at all. Dismal ground game put way too much strain on Eli Manning (28-of-49, 362 yards) as he threw four interceptions. No push whatsoever up front and a dismal 1-for-11 on third down. But, hey, at least no fumbles!
D
DEFENSE
Work against the run was great until Knowshon Moreno ran for TDs of 20 and 25 yards with same scoot around right side. No sacks on the great Peyton Manning (30-of-43, 307 yards, 2 TDs). Longest completion only 36 yards, but Manning spread the ball around. Mark Herzlich has to recover fumble in third quarter.
D
SPECIAL TEAMS
Steve Weatherford picked a bad day to have a bad game, as his punts were too often line drives and the last one was deadly, giving Trindon Holliday a running start on 81-yard TD return. Rueben Randle shouldn’t have fielded a punt inside his 5-yard line. David Wilson back on kickoffs, but didn’t break anything.
D
COACHING
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride sometimes gets accused of forgetting about the running game but what do you want him to do in this one? Perry Fewell’s coverage limited big pass plays but couldn’t generate heat on Peyton. Tom Coughlin has lots of confidence mending to do.
C