Silverman: Will The Real New York Giants Please Stand Up?
By Steve Silverman
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Just who are the real New York Giants?
Are they the stumblebums who got pushed around by the Detroit Lions in the opener and looked a little better the following week against the Arizona Cardinals?
Or are they a team that resembled a juggernaut against the previously undefeated -- alright, it was just two games -- Houston Texans and the Washington Redskins?
The definitive answer will be written during the next 12 games.
But it's clear that the Giants have been revitalized over a five-day period. The two decisive victories have demonstrated that the team has some legitimate talent, and that may mean the Giants will become a decisive player in the 2014 season.
I would be lying if I told you that I saw it coming. A 176-yard rushing effort from Rashad Jennings against the Texans was a shocker. Jennings proved himself to be a hard-trying back who gave it everything he had during his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders, but that kind of dominating effort was not on the menu.
Neither was the job done by the offensive line, which opened significant creases for him. Both Jennings and the line played like they had something to prove, and that's what may have been the carryover in Thursday night's blowout of the Redskins in Washington.
But instead of sneaking by with a last-second win decided by a field goal or late turnover, the Giants beat their hosts as if they had turned the clock back to 2007 or 2011.
Decisive, attacking and shocking, Eli Manning was on his game and the Giants' offense was clicking. Manning was surveying the field attentively and getting rid of the ball with authority. The numbers themselves are quite reassuring, as Manning completed 28 of 39 passes for 300 yards with four TDs and just one interception.
Of course, a new star is born in Larry Donnell. The tight end caught three of the TD passes and the Redskins' defense did not have a clue about containing him.
Donnell is a big man who knows how to get open in the red zone. He runs effectively and knows how to get open, and when he has a chance to catch the ball he puts it away.
Donnell's presence is making life better for Victor Cruz, who finally got in the end zone last week against Houston and caught six passes for 108 yards against the Redskins. If Cruz does not have to do the job by himself, he becomes a much more effective big-play threat.
The defensive performance was also special. Washington's Kirk Cousins may be the best No. 2 quarterback in the league, and he was brilliant in nearly leading the Redskins to an upset over the Eagles last week.
But instead of throwing for 427 yards like he did against Philadelphia, the Giants held him to 257 yards and he found the end zone just once while throwing four interceptions. Antrel Rolle is clearly one of the top strong safeties in the NFL, and the Giants' defense followed his lead. Prince Amukamara, Trumaine McBride and Quintin Demps also picked up interceptions and kept the Redskins from ever having any real hope in this game.
Since the Giants built such a huge lead, the Redskins were unable to get Alfred Morris going on the ground. He had just 12 carries resulting in 63 yards.
The Giants had to have this game, because the schedule takes a harsh turn in Week 5 when the explosive Atlanta Falcons come to MetLife Stadium.
These Giants have climbed out of the abyss in their last two games. Can they stay out and make a charge towards the mountaintop?
A week ago, that question would have been dismissed. Now, it's one that can be asked in earnest and with a legitimate sense of hope.
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