Giants Close Out Their Preseason With A 6-3 Victory Over New England

It’s time to start getting ready for the games that count. The Giants finsihed out their preseason schedule at home tonight with a 6-3 win over the New England Patriots.

If anyone was expecting this game to be a rematch of the Super Bowl, well I just wouldn’t know what to tell them except that they might need some sort of help. New England didn’t play any of their regulars tonight. There was no Tom Brady or Wes Welker. However, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin had other ideas for some of his starters. Quarterback Eli Manning and wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks all saw action in the first half.

What stood out the most to me about Eli Manning tonight was perhaps the fact that Coughlin played Manning so much. In a preseason game where both teams are hoping they come out at the end injury-free, playing Manning at all tonight was a roll of the dice by Coughlin. Giants fans had to have been a little nervous everytime Manning dropped back to attempt a pass. He finished the night going 4 of 6 for 29 yards.

It’s possible that one of the reasons Coughlin decided to play Manning so much tonight was because he may have wanted him to get a few reps in with Nicks. It was his first and only game played in the preseason. Nicks caught 1 pass for 6 yards, however he also was able to get some game-action under his belt before going forward with his preparation for the regular season.

Notables

The Giants came into tonight’s game knowing they have to prepare to trim their roster down to 53 on Friday. This was the last chance for players fighting for spots to make a worthwhile impression on head coach Tom Coughlin and his staff.

Andre Brown ran with authority in the third quarter on an impressive drive that led to a Giants field goal from Lawrence Tynes. Brown also had a fumble in the fourth quarter while fighting for extra yards. The Giants were able to recover the fumble. Despite that mishap, Brown made a solid case for himself tonight finishing with 14 carries for 55 yards. It could make things very interesting for what the Giants decide to do with their running back depth chart after Ahmad Bradshaw and David Wilson. Da’Rel Scott could be on the bubble now.

Wide receiver Ramses Barden finished tonight with 4 catches for 31 yards. Barden may have done enough to ensure himself a spot on the 53-man roster.

Adewale Ojomo continued his impressive preseason and he may have forced the Giants hands with his play on defense.There is definitely a buzz now based off of his play. He had two run-stuffing tackles,  and it was his strip and sack that set up the go-ahead field goal by Tynes in the fourth quarter.

What’s Next

No more preseason games !!!  The Giants start defense of their championship next Wednesday at home against the Dallas Cowboys.