HERO: Jason Pierre-Paul entered Sunday a question mark with an injured left shoulder and he supplied an emphatic answer: A 24-yard interception return for a touchdown — the second of his four-year career — that essentially wrapped up the Giants’ fourth straight victory, a 27-13 win, with 10:49 remaining. Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien was looking for Andrew Quarless in the flat, but Pierre-Paul, who also had three tackles, stepped in front, leaped and took back the errant pass to the house.
UNSUNG HERO: Victor Cruz continued to excel as Eli Manning’s safety valve. The Salsa-dancing wideout hauled in eight catches — four for first downs — for a game-high 110 yards, padding his Pro Bowl résumé that now includes 50 receptions for 714 yards, both team-highs.
ZERO: Eddie Lacy and the Packers running game were supposed to be this offense’s strength, after starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left collarbone) and backup Seneca Wallace (groin) went down with injuries in recent weeks. Instead Green Bay’s rushing attack managed just 55 yards on 20 carries. The injury-riddled offensive line, without right tackle Don Barclay (knee) had trouble creating holes against the Giants’ improving front seven.
KEY STAT: 27 Yards Packers running back Eddie Lacy produced on 14 carries. The rookie out of Alabama entered the game seventh in the NFL in rushing with 642 yards and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average.
Quote of the Day: “It’s a division game and it’s for all the marbles. The winner is going to go on and still have a chance, and the loser is probably going to be left for dead.” — Linebacker Jon Beason on next Sunday’s showdown against the Cowboys