But if Giants do not improve quickly, this will happen again.

What Went Right Today?

Giants controlled ball for 37 minutes — almost 15 minutes more than Chargers, and held their star running back, LaDainian Tomlinson to 22 yards on 18 carries. Chargers only gained 32 yards rushing. Giants defensive end Chief Osi Umenyiora got his fifth sack of season, and running back Brandon Jacobs averaged over six yards per carry. Eli Manning completed 15 of his first 16 passes, and finished 25/33 for 215 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions. Steve Smith had 8 receptions for 57, with one touchdown. Smith only needs 22 receptions in final seven games, to break Amani Toomer’s 2002 franchise record of 82 catches during regular season.

What Went Wrong Today?

Giants committed seven penalties. Lawrence Tynes missed a kick, then punter Jeff Feagles fumbled ball, which Tynes never kicked. Five punts by Feagles — with only one inside the 20: oldest player in NFL is playing like it.

Brandon Jacobs only rushed 11 times, for 67 yards, after he injured his knee near end of first half.

Giants seemed to have won, late in the game, when cornerback Terrell Thomas intercepted a Philip Rivers pass, and carried it 33 yards, to San Diego 4. Sadly, a holding penalty against Chris Snee on first down, pushed Giants back ten yards, and they settled for a field goal, and a 6 point lead, with two minutes remaining.

San Diego Chargers drove 80 yards, and scored winning touchdown, with 21 seconds remaining.

What Went Wrong This Season?

Brandon Jacobs does not have a 100 yard game. Offensive play calling stinks, and new Defensive Coordinator Sheridan needs help from Coach Coughlin.

On his WFAN post-game show, Russ Salzberg said Giants are last in NFL for red zone offense and defense. I was unable to verify this on NFL Team Statistics, because I could not find category.

What Can Giants Do?

Giants are lucky to have a bye next week. Coaching staff needs to regroup, watch films, and run better plays, if they expect to reach playoffs.

I do not have stats, but Giants are awful on third and short. And you do not win games, where you lose over 100 yards on seven penalties.

Giants can start by hoping Justin Tuck, who left game in agony, and Michael Boley, who also left game, are not seriously injured.

Giants face Atlanta Falcons in two weeks. Load my 2010 NY Giants TV Schedule as a “live bookmark”, or a calendar to keep up with Giants.

Giants led 14-7 in second quarter, after Cardinal Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie deflected an Eli Manning pass intended for Mario Manningham, with an incredible acrobatic leap. Hakeem Nicks grabbed the deflection, and turned into a 62 yard touchdown, his fourth touchdown in the last four games.

Sadly, New York Giants only scored another three points because of unimaginative play calling, a fumble, and three interceptions. I think Steve Smith’s first reception, with 10 minutes left in the game, was the first pass Manning threw up the middle, where he is most accurate. Manning finished 19/37 for 243 yards — 62 on deflection to Hicks. Manning also committed two delay-of-game penalties. Giants and Cardinals each had seven penalties.

Giants defensive line rarely pressured Cardinal Quarterback Kurt Warner, who finished 20/36 for 231 yards and 1 TD. Giants Cornerback Terrell Thomas made several great plays on Warner passes, and kept score close.

Coming Up

Giants must improve next week, against Philadelphia Eagles.

Load my 2010 NY Giants TV Schedule as a “live bookmark”, or a calendar to keep up with Giants.

It was the most exciting Giants football game since their electrifying victory over Carolina Panthers last year. There were eight lead changes, and neither team was ever ahead by more than six points.

On a night when Dallas defense stifled Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants were led by Eli Manning, who completed 25 passes in 38 attempts, for 330 yards, with 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions, for QB rating of 110.6. Manning also had phenomenal 156.3 rating on passes of ten or more yards – 158.3 is perfect!

Steve Smith and Mario Manningham emerged as future stars. They each had ten catches, for a total for 281 yards.

Two Giants were injured. Domenik Hixon sprained his knee after a 13 yard catch in first quarter, and did not return. Justin Tuck, last week’s Defensive Player of the Week, was injured in third quarter. Tuck fell on his left shoulder, after being tripped by Cowboy left tackle Flozell Adams, who has led league in penalties since 2007. Tuck’s X-rays were negative, he will have an MRI later today. Tuck watched the fourth quarter on the sidelines, with his arm in a sling. Tuck said:

“It was bush league. He did it a few times, and they only called one.”

Cowboys stars linebacker DeMarcus Ware, and running back Marion Barber, were both injured in fourth quarter.

Porous Ground Defense

Dallas rushed 29 times for 251 yards and three touchdowns.

Marion Barber had a great game before he was injured, gaining 124 yards on 18 carries with one touchdown, and 31 yards on two receptions. Barber strained left quadriceps, falling during a 35 yard run, which would have been a touchdown.

Felix Jones was also effective, gaining 96 yards on only seven carries, with one touchdown.

Cowboys frustrated Giants with excellent plays, splitting defense several times, for big gains. I hope new defensive coordinator, Bill Sheridan figures out what went wrong.

Potent Passing Defense

Giants depleted offensive line and secondary, thwarted Dallas air attack. Tony Romo threw three interceptions, and finished the day 13/29 for 127 yards, with one touchdown. Romo also scored once on a three yard run.

Romo appeared to be frustrated and confused for most of the game.

Wide receiver Roy Williams, who received five year, $45 million contract from Cowboys last year, caught one pass, for 18 yards.

Giant star Chief Osi Umenyiora, best defensive end in NFL, was only credited with one tackle. However, Umenyiora was double and triple-teamed, which opened up opportunities for others.

New Giants Contribute

In his first game for Giants, Michael Boley led Giants defense with six tackles and one assist. Safety Kenny Phillips, who replaced injured Aaron Ross, was great, and finished with two interceptions, five tackles, and two assists. Undrafted rookie cornerback Bruce Johnson, replaced injured Kevin Dockery, and returned a 34 yard interception for a touchdown.

Eli Manning Stays Cool

After Barber’s injury, Felix Jones scored on seven yard run, giving Cowboys 31-30 lead, with 3:40 remaining.

Unlike Tony Romo, Eli Manning remained focused and calm.

When a ten yard holding penalty on rookie receiver Derek Hagan, left Giants facing first and 20 on their own 15 yard line, Manning said he calmed team by “not saying anything.” Under pressure, on second and 18, with Manning scrambling, Hagan redeemed himself, by racing toward Manning, and catching 12 yard pass.

Completions to Steve Smith and Mario Manningham left Giants with a third and four on Cowboy 41 yard line, when Giants got lucky.

A seemingly errant pass to Mario Manningham was tipped by Cowboy nose tackle Jay Ratliff, and caught by Manningham for an eight yard gain, which led to winning field goal. Manning said:

“They came with an all-out blitz. We had a slant backside to Mario. He got open, he won. He did a great job of staying with it and concentrating on getting the catch. It was a big play for us.”

It was the 13th fourth quarter comeback of Manning’s career. He also completed his 100th career touchdown during game.

Eli Manning has become a great quarterback. I hope he stays healthy. NBC provided interesting statistic, that Manning and his offensive line, have played more consecutive games together, than any group in NFL history.

Positives and Negatives

Giants played inspired football, against team which should have been inspired, to play first game, in most expensive stadium ever built.

Steve Smith and Mario Manningham demonstrated why Giants did not trade for experienced receiver to replace Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. Derek Hagan, Hakeem Nicks, Danny Ware, Sinorice Moss, and Ramses Barden, will not see much action if Smith and Manningham can carry team, when Giant ground game stalls.

Negative: Giants continued to struggle inside “red zone.”

Who’s Next?

Giants (2-0) face Derrick Ward and Tampa Bay (0-2) at Raymond James Stadium, next Sunday at 1 P.M.

Giants offense was not creative, or productive, today. Giants only converted 3/13 third downs, and 2/4 fourth downs. I groaned several times during the game, when Giants failed to convert critical downs, on idiotic plays.

I cannot understand how Giants, especially with an extra week off, could not devise a better offensive game plan.

Running

To be fair, Giants were missing their two best offensive players. Plaxico Burress should have been there. Brandon Jacobs returned, after missing three games with a PCL injury, but was clearly not healthy. Jacobs gained 27 yards on Giants best play of the game, with 92 yards on 20 carries for the game. However, Jacobs was on the sidelines, for much of the game, when Giants used Derrick Ward, who was ineffective.

This is probably the last game Jacobs and Ward played together as Giants, since they are both free agents. I think Jacobs is the best running back in NFL, and I would be surprised if he does not return to Giants next season.

Eli Manning

Eli Manning was erratic. He completed 15 of 29 passes for 169 yards, with two interceptions, for a quarterback rating of 33. For comparison, Manning’s rating was 111 for playoffs and Super Bowl last year.

Manning delivered two nice passes, to Darcy Johnson, and Domenik Hixon, that netted half of his passing yards. Giant receivers were not dropping passes, they could not reach them.

Manning also blew a weird quarterback sneak on a fourth–and–two — instead of handing off to Brandon Jacobs.

Mistakes

Giants defense was awesome in first half. At one point, Eagles were 1/12 on third down conversions.

Brian Westbrook was held to 36 yards on 18 carries for the game. Unfortunately, you cannot expect to win, when your defense is on the field for most of the game.

Mistakes cost Giants the game. Despite poor offense, Giants could have won, if Carney had not missed field goals, and Manning had one less interception.

Antonio Pierce continued to irk me, with an “illegal hands to the face” penalty, that kept an Eagles drive going.

Next Season

I hope defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo returns, but would not be surprised if he becomes head coach of New York Jets.

I miss seeing Plaxico Burruss in a Giants uniform, but his fate will be decided in court, on March 31. I hope Giants teach him, and his buddy Pierce, to behave themselves, if they both return.

Tom Coughlin has to figure out why New York Giants went from 11-1 to 12-5 since Burruss shot himself, and make sure that it does not happen next season.

It was a quintessential Giants win. Giants really played like World Champions in fourth quarter and overtime.

Giants were led by Derrick Ward, who rushed for 82 yards on their 87 yard winning drive. Ward finished with 215 yards, on only 15 carries, gaining 154 yards in second half. Brandon Jacobs, added 87 yards, including three touchdowns. Giants rushed for over 300 yards for the first time since 1959.

DeAngelo Hall scored all points for Panthers, on 4 rushing touchdowns of 13, 5, 1, and 30 yards. The last player to score four touchdowns against Giants, was Emmitt Smith, in 1995.

Crunch Time

Carolina had a chance to win, at the end of regulation, but kicker John Kasay missed a 50 yard field goal attempt.

Both teams punted once in overtime, before Giants winning drive. Ward began the drive with a 51 yard run to Carolina’s 36. On third and seven, with Giants looking at a 53 yard field goal attempt, on a windy night, Ward took over, and Giants only needed three plays to score, and win.

Ward gained 14 yards, for a Giants first down, then 17 yards to move ball to Panther 2. Brandon Jacobs scored winning touchdown on next play.

Giants also helped themselves, by only committing two penalties, for ten yards, during this game.

Eli Manning Sets Two Records

Eli Manning completed 17 of 27 passes for 181 yards, with no interceptions. Kevin Boss, who has become a reliable target for Manning, caught one touchdown. Some of Manning’s passes sailed in the wind, but he played well, especially on two point conversion, which tied the game.

This was Eli Manning’s 70^th consecutive start, which is a new record for Giant quarterbacks. Old record was held by Fran Tarkenton, who started 69 games, from 1967–1971. Manning has now passed for 3,119 yards this year, and is the first Giants quarterback to have four consecutive 3000+ yard seasons.

Defensive Letdown

I do not know why Justin Tuck played, because he had the flu, and took himself out several times.

Antonio Pierce should have stayed home too. Pierce missed several key tackles. For example, DeAngelo Hall ran right by him, on a 30 yard run, to score his fourth touchdown. I would like to know if he stayed out late, with his (hopefully) now–unarmed buddy, Burress, on Friday or Saturday night. Pierce needs a curfew.

To be fair, defense held Panthers, to a crucial 3 and out before Giants fourth touchdown. Defense also stopped Panthers on two series in overtime, before Giants scored winning touchdown.

If I had to pick a defensive star, it would be Corey Webster. He covered Panther’s talented receiver, Steve Smith, and kept him out of the end zone. Smith almost scored one touchdown, but it was overturned by a Tom Coughlin challenge. Coughlin is 6–2 on appeals this year.

Special Teams

Terrell Thomas downed a Jeff Feagles punt on 1 yard line, in fourth quarter, which helped setup tying touchdown.

Giants are lucky to have Feagles, as well as John Carney. Carney has scored 130 points for Giants this year, while replacing the formerly injured Lawrence Tynes. Tynes is now listed as “inactive.”

R.J. McQuarters muffed a punt that almost cost Giants the game. I would rather see Ahmad Bradshaw return punts.

The Hixon Watch

Domenik Hixon made up for his recent disappointments, on two key plays.

Hixon drew Carolina’s first pass interference call of the season, which left Giants on Panther 1, and later caught pass for two point conversion, which tied the game.

It was Giants first successful two point conversion since 2005.

One Year Later

Last year, Giants played their starting lineup, while losing final regular–season game to undefeated Patriots. Then Giants improved each game, during four successive victories, against Tampa, Dallas, Green Bay, and New England, to win Super Bowl XLII.

This year’s situation is different. I think this game is just another chance for Giants to be injured. However, this game is important to Vikings, who make playoffs if they win, or Packers beat Bears.

We will find out if this game is important to Coach Coughlin, on Sunday, at 1 P.M. EST.

I used to think Giants were distracted by cheerleaders, but I think they just played poorly tonight.

When Giants had a chance to pull within two, Hixon dropped another perfectly thrown ball. (Added:) Hixon was confused on another pass, which was intercepted. Kevin Boss and Steve Smith were inconsistent. Amani Toomer was not a factor, and Sinorice Moss got hurt. Giants missed Brandon Jacobs, because Ward and Bradshaw were ineffective.

Giants play Carolina Panthers at home next Sunday at 1 P.M., for home–field advantage in playoffs.