HERO
With just 83 seconds left and the Giants trailing 23-20, Victor Cruz hooked up with Eli Manning as they connected on a 77-yard game-winning bomb. The Giants’ big-play wideout did it again, beating cornerback Josh Wilson and safety Madieu Williams. As Jason Pierre-Paul said with a laugh, “Thank God for Victor Cruz.”
UNSUNG HERO
The word “unsung” fits Chase Blackburn perfectly, and the linebacker delivered again in the closing seconds. On the Redskins’ final drive, Blackburn stripped wideout Santana Moss at the Washington 43-yard line, his second forced fumble of the game. The Giants recovered the ball to seal the victory.
KEY STAT
4 Turnovers the Giants forced, all in the second half. They intercepted Griffin once and recovered fumbles from him, Morris and Moss.
ZERO
The Giants’ run defense had virtually zero success stopping either running back Alfred Morris (22 carries, 120 yards) or the magnificent Robert Griffin III (nine carries, 89 yards). Washington ran for 248 yards overall, averaging 6.5 per carry.