OFFENSE
Eli Manning said he treated this game as the start of a new season. Well, he’s off to a blazing start with three TD passes and a shoulder-dropping 12-yard scramble. Rookie Rueben Randle hauled in his first career TD. Ahmad Bradshaw (10-58, 1 TD) looked refreshed but loss of Andre Brown (13-64, 1 TD) to broken leg a huge blow.
David Wilson, come on down. A
DEFENSE
Five sacks (two from Mathias Kiwanuka), interception by Corey Webster and all-around excellence by Chase Blackburn combined to befuddle Aaron Rodgers, who only completed 14 passes. Dangerous Randall Cobb held in check. Strip-sack by Osi Umenyiora a game-changer. Vintage 2011 playoff-caliber performance. A +
SPECIAL TEAMS
Cobb can be a terror in the return game, but not on this night, as Steve Weatherford’s punts kept him on the sideline. Sure-handed Rueben Randle mishandled two punts but got them back. Lawrence Tynes hit a 43-yard field goal into the wind. B +
COACHING
Looked as if the coaching staff benefitted from the week off, too. Tom Coughlin labeled this the start of a six-game season and his team responded. Perry Fewell’s defense showed some new wrinkles and some old-fashioned pass rush fervor. You want offensive balance from Kevin Gilbride? How about 31 runs and 30 passes? A