Unlike last week, where Giants started well before declining, Giants began poorly, and got worse.

Giants seemed prepared to lose on opening kickoff, when coaches advised Lawrence Tynes to kick ball away from rookie kick returner Percy Harvin, who had a 101 yard return against 49ers, and 88 yarder against Steelers.

Vikings started at their own 40. On opening play, Mathias Kiwanuka was penalized for neutral zone infraction, setting tone for Giants, who had more penalties than first downs. Has that ever happened?

Brett Favre hit Visanthe Shiancoe for 13, Chester Davis rushed for 10, before Giants let Percy Harvin run for 22 yards, giving Vikings first and goal. Vikings completely fooled Giants on next play, when Favre passed to Shiancoe on 8, who was never touched on his way to end zone.

Vikings gained 35 yards rushing on their first series – same as formally formidable Giants running backs gained all day. Brandon Jacobs was out with a knee injury.

Vikings led 31-0 at half. Cannot verify, but it might be first time Giants were ever down by 24 or more points at half for two games in a row.

Waiting For Next Season

Jason La Canfora, on NFL Blogs said their is a “strong chance” that some coaches will be fired this week. One common rumor is that Bill Sheridan will be replaced by Dick Jauron. Giants gave up 40 or more points five times this season! When was the last time that happened?

I also expect running backs coach Jerald Ingram and Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn to be fired.

Did Tom Coughlin hire all these geniuses?

Giants have collapsed at the end of two seasons in a row. I hope next season is different.

Update

NY Times reported that Bill Sheridan was fired; no replacement was named. Article quoted Giants President John Mara:

“We’re not making changes at the head coach or the G.M.”

To reach playoffs, Giants have to win their remaining three games, and Dallas Cowboys have to lose once.

Dallas plays unbeaten New Orleans Saints in Superdome next week, travels to Redskins the following week, before ending season at home against Eagles. Tough schedule!

Giants face Redskins away, Carolina at home, before ending season at Minnesota. Hopefully, 11-2 Vikings will rest Favre and Peterson for final game.

Dangerous Offense

Eli Manning is having a great year statistically, despite the absence of Plaxico Burress, but it would be much better, if team committed less penalties. Consider that Giants are ranked fifth in total offense, but eighth in points scored.

Sadly, Giants formerly outstanding rushing attack is gone, and they rank last in “red zone offense.” I cannot recall the last time Brandon Jacobs rushed for 100 yards.

Not So Dangerous Defense

New York Giants formerly great defense, is ranked 28th out of 32 NFL teams. I expect Bill Sheridan, the former linebackers coach, who succeeded the brilliant Steve Spagnuolo as Defensive Coordinator this season, to be replaced.

In my fantasy scenario, Giants will rehire Steve Spagnuolo, who left to coach St. Louis Rams next season. Rams are 1-12, and inexplicably ranked 30th in team defense, so Spagnuolo could conceivably be fired.

But Coach Coughlin, who fired offensive coordinator John Hufnagel before the final game of the 2006 season, is not ready to replace Sheridan. After defense surrendered 45 points to Eagles, Coughlin said of Sheridan:

“I let (Sheridan) know my support for him and I also let him know that it has to be better. We have to do a better job. We are here for one reason. The inconsistency part of it is disturbing, let’s face it. Six big play passes and three big play runs, you are not going to beat anybody like that. It’s not all that. Everybody wants to say 45. It’s not 45, it’s 31. Two scores were on special teams and offense.”

What’s Next?

After winning their first five games, Giants have lost six of their last eight games, and can only improve. Unfortunately, I do not expect them to improve enough, to win their next six games, and reach the Super Bowl.

A team with a porous defense, which commits seven or eight penalties each game, and is ranked last in offense when inside opponent’s 20-yard-line, does not sound like recent New York Giants. Delegating duties is fine, but it is ultimately up to Coach Coughlin to fix this mess, so New York Giants, and their fans, can look forward to Sundays again!

Sheridan, 50, started coaching in 1981, and has been with the Giants for four seasons. Sheridan said:

“I’m thrilled. I’m humbled but very, very excited and anxious to get going. I’ve prepared my entire career for this opportunity. I owe this to Tom Coughlin and Steve Spagnuolo and the rest of the defensive staff — Peter Giunta, Mike Waufle, Dave Merritt and Andre Curtis. This is nothing more than a reflection of the success we’ve had here.”

Coach Coughlin, as usual, explained his decision well:

“We won 26 games here in the last two years. Despite the fact that we’re all miserable, there is an inclination when that happens that you would stay within.

Steve Spagnuolo radically improved Giants defense, during his two seasons with the team. Giants defense was ranked 25th in NFL before he arrived. However, Giants defense was ranked seventh in NFL last year, and fifth in NFL this year.

Let us not forget that Giants were 11–1 this season, before Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce lost their brains.

For a preview, watch this video of Bill Sheridan, describing last year’s defense.

So Long Spags

Steve Spagnuolo will be named Head Coach of St. Louis Rams.

He will be missed.

Vote for Derrick Ward, as FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Ward had a career–day, rushing for 215 yards, on 15 carries, including 82 yards on final drive.

Vote for Tom Coughlin as Motorola Coach of the Week for leading Giants to a great victory, against the second best team in NFC.

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.

Giants got the crowd going with inspiring pre–game tribute to their three Super Bowl wins, which featured a giant (what else?) inflatable Lombardi Trophy.

Bob Papa introduced players from 20^th century teams, including Harry Carson, Carl Banks, and Mark Bavaro, before crowd watched a short video, with players discussing last year’s championship season.

After the video, the front panel of inflatable trophy was lowered, and Michael Strahan, holding real trophy, stepped out to deafening cheers. He said:

“Giants Stadium, you thought I was never coming back. But I had to come back to celebrate the championship with the greatest fans in all of sports. And for one final time, salute my teammates for an incredible championship run. So what I want you to do is, I want you to get on your feet, I want you to make some noise and I want you to be ready to stomp somebody out and welcome the New York Giants Super Bowl champions.”

When Giants got the ball, Eli Manning picked right up where he finished last year, and led the team to a touchdown. Opening drive included three passes to Plaxico Burress for 60 yards. Manning scored the touchdown on a nice 1 yard run, where he evaded a tackler, to score third rushing touchdown of his career.

Offense drove to 6, 7, and 26 yard lines on next three series, and settled for three field goals by John Carney, who has replaced injured Lawrence Tynes.

New Giants defense, without Michael Strahan and Chief Osi, played inspired football in first half. Justin Tuck sacked Redskin QB Jason Campbell on their first play, and harassed him throughout half. Campbell seemed flustered and confused at times, and was held to negative yardage for most of half. Campbell completed his first pass of the game with 1:10 left in half.

Redskins spoiled the shutout, right before halftime, with a drive that included a 50 yard kickoff return.

Although offense sputtered in second half, defense shut out Redskins for the victory. The last time Giants held an opponent scoreless in second half, was on October 15, 2007, when they won 31–10 in Atlanta.

Passing

Plaxico Burruss, who signed 5 year, $35 million contract extension on Wednesday, tied his career–high ten catches. Sinorice Moss made one nice catch. Sadly, Amani Toomer seemed rusty, and was ineffective. Manning also threw several uncatchable passes. Domenik Hixon, who showed promise in pre–season, was not used much.

Rushing

Brandon Jacobs rushed for 116 yards on 21 carries. Jacobs gained at least 20 of those yards, on brute strength, when he simply refused to go down. I hope Jacobs stays healthy. Derrick Ward filled in admirably, to let Jacobs rest, with 39 yards on nine carries. Ahmad Bradshaw was not used much, and Reuben Droughns did not play at all.

Defense

Giants tackling was excellent. Redskins came up short on several third down plays. Corey Webster made several outstanding plays to thwart Redskins passes.

Injuries

Mathias Kiwanuka appeared to be injured on final play of game. However, x–rays of his ankle, which he injured last year, were negative. He said:

“I’m fine. It was just a little scary being in that area.”

Leadership Council

It is hard to complain about Tom Coughlin since Giants won Super Bowl. I think Coughlin improved the team, by delegating as many tasks as possible, to an astute group of specialists.

One innovation, was his “Leadership Council.” This is a group of 13 players, who meet regularly to discuss team issues. Current players are: David Diehl, Jeff Feagles, Brandon Jacobs, Mathias Kiwanuka, Eli Manning, Shaun O’Hara, Antonio Pierce, Fred Robbins, Chris Snee, Amani Toomer, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, and Corey Webster.

Looking Ahead and Behind

I forget the reason, but last year I decorated each post about a Giants game with the team logo of their next opponent. I have decided to keep doing this, since Giants won Super Bowl.

Giants next game is against Rams, in St. Louis, on Sunday, September 14^th at 1 P.M.