Eli Manning had a first half to forget throwing three interceptions. The Giants lost their running back Ahmad Bradshaw, their right tackle David Diehl, and wide receiver Domenik Nixon all to injuries. It seemed as if the Giants were on their way to an 0-2 start to the season.
Then the fourth quarter began and that's when Manning and his offense came alive as they have done so many times before.
The Giants would score 25 points in the fourth quarter and go on to win their first game of the season, 41-34 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The two-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback had a career day throwing for 510 yards to go with three touchdowns. His top two receivers also had career days. Hakeem Nicks caught 10 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown while Victor Cruz had 11 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown. Manning went 7 for 9 with 229 yards and two touchdowns in the last 7:41 of the game. If that's not clutch, I don't know what is.
Sparingly used running back Andre Brown filled in very nicely for Bradshaw carrying the ball 13 times for 71 yards and a touchdown. Amazingly enough, Brown came into the game with negative one career rushing yards on just two carries. Yeah that's right, less than zero career rushing yards. The inexperienced tailback looked like a ten-year veteran when he dove to the ground at the two yard line allowing the Giants to run more clock off. Brown would go on to run in the game-winning touchdown leaving the Buccaneers with just 31 seconds remaining on the clock. That would turn out to be pivotal as Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman would make it interesting in the final drive getting the ball in Giants' territory.
A huge 80-yard touchdown from Manning to Cruz on a gorgeous connection ignited the Giants' offense with 7:41 remaining. The salsa was broken out. MetLife Stadium had finally come alive. The Giants' defense would force a three-and-out to give the fired up defending Super Bowl MVP a chance at the lead. He would do just that. Manning hooked up with tight end Martellus Bennett for the score. After Tampa Bay scored their only touchdown of the second half, the Giants would get the ball back and Brown would take it to the endzone for the victory.
It was a big game for the Giants to take after trailing early and dealing with key injuries to starters. They evened their record to 1-1 on the season. There are definitely a lot of concerns the Giants have going forward with their defense. They need to get improved play from their secondary. They cannot be giving up as many points as they have every week. There is a lot this team has to work on.
Despite the loss to the Cowboys and the bad first half Sunday, Big Blue heads down to Charlotte for a Thursday night matchup with the Panthers riding high with a big win. Both teams are coming off their first wins of the season. The Giants could be playing without Bradshaw, Nixon, and Diehl Thursday against Cam Newton's squad. Tom Coughlin's resilient team hopes to get their second straight win in an anticipated NFC primetime matchup.
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