You're Next, Philly: Streaking Giants Out To Make Statement In NFC East
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Riding a three-game winning streak, the New York Giants are feeling pretty good about themselves.
The west coast offense is working. Eli Manning isn't turning the ball over and he finally has a deep threat in first-round draft pick Odell Beckham. On the other side, the defense has recorded 10 takeaways during the streak and it held the NFL's top-ranked offense to 15 percent on third-down conversions and 20 points in beating the Falcons on Sunday.
Sounds like the Giants (3-2) are back and ready to make a run at the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
The next two weeks should tell the story. They have statement games against NFC East rivals and division co-leaders Philadelphia (4-1) and Dallas (4-1) on the road.
"We're just trying to make sure that we come out on top of our division this year," safety Antrel Rolle said Monday. "Last year is last year. I don't feel like there was much to really battle with last year in our division. I felt like it was a weak division last year. I feel like this year it's definitely up and rising.
"We didn't get a lot of credit in the preseason in our division, but I think now the tables are starting to turn a little bit. Dallas is playing good, Philly is playing good right now. I think we're rising and we're stepping up to the challenges and we're playing some good football right now."
Coach Tom Coughlin refused to put more emphasis on the upcoming games, saying every one is a test. However, he knows Sunday night's contest against the defending NFC East champion Eagles is important.
"We know what that challenge is about and we are excited about preparing and having the opportunity to play against the Eagles in our division," Coughlin said. "That's what I'm embracing, if that's the word."
Cornerback Prince Amukamara knows it'll be a battle.
"I think the Philly game is going to be another great test for our team," Amukamara said. "They are the defending champions and they have a great team on all three phases of the ball, so it's going to be a challenge."
The Giants have come a long way since opening the season with losses to Detroit and Arizona. At that point, many were expecting a second straight 0-6 start.
Things have not only gotten better, but the Giants are showing signs of being a good team. The biggest indication came Sunday when they rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit and won by 10.
"I feel like, as a team, we're definitely growing and battling," Rolle said. "We're rising above adversity, we're playing beyond X's and O's and more importantly we're winning the fourth quarter and we're making things happen. "
The Giants got big lifts from a couple rookies.
Playing in his first NFL game, Beckham caught a go-ahead 15-yard touchdown pass from Manning and drew a pass interference call that eventually led to a 3-yard touchdown run by fellow rookie Andre Williams. The score ignited the 20-point second-half run.
"I told him, 'Hey we got a lot of work to do. We've had basically one week of practice together. You came out and you had four catches and you had a touchdown and everybody thinks you're the greatest. Hey, let's stay humble. Let's make sure we're getting back to work because we got a lot of catching up to do,'" Manning told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Monday. "Every week, every game, every practice is going to be important for us to get on the same page. There's a lot of routes we haven't thrown."
Williams, who gained 65 yards on 20 carries on Sunday, is going to be an important piece of the puzzle the next few weeks. Starting halfback Rashad Jennings has an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
Coughlin listed him as day to day on Monday, but the way he was moving in the locker room raised doubts about his availability.
Veteran Peyton Hillis will back up Williams, the fourth-round draft pick from Boston College who led FBS halfbacks last season with 2,177 yards rushing.
"The heart of this team is the team itself, it's not the backfield," Jennings said. "The offensive line — very productive. The quarterback room— very productive, the tight end and wide receiver room, too."
The defense also has an injury that will be a concern heading to Philadelphia.
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has a leg injury that has forced him to leave games at times the past few weeks. Coughlin said the injury starts at his ankle and extends to his hip and it was being evaluated Monday, as was a hamstring injury to backup linebacker Spencer Paysinger.
Cornerbacks Trumaine McBride and Zack Bowman have filled in.
Punter Steve Weatherford's left ankle also was little sore after he to extend himself pushing Devin Hester out of bounds on a first-quarter return.
However, he intends to be ready for the Eagles.
"The implications of this, even though it's early in the season, are huge," Weatherford said. "If we can hand them their second loss and pick up our fourth win, it's huge. We're just going to keep doing what we are doing and trust the process, coach Coughlin's plan."
NOTES: CB Walter Thurmond III was in the locker room with a sling after season-ending surgery for a pectoral muscle injury. The sling will come off in three weeks and he can start rehabilitation. ...Coughlin said the Falcons did a good job of taking away Victor Cruz (3 catches for 22 yards) and making things difficult for tight end Larry Donnell, who did not have a catch but still leads the team with 25 receptions.
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