Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Each week during the season I will run a full simulation of the Giants game. All Madden, 15 minute quarters, injuries, and depth charts up to date to the best of my ability. So with that said, here’s the Madden 25 Week 12 Recap:
Giants Overcome 14 point 2nd Half Deficit, Win 30-28
The Giants were down 21-7 at the start of the 2nd half but then rattled off 23 straight points to secure their 5th straight win.
The game, which ended in a 2 point win for the Giants, should have never been that close. Soon after the Giants made it 21-21 at the end of the 3rd, they were driving once again after a Dallas punt. With 13:35 left in the game, Eli hit Louis Murphy on a slant in the back of the endzone but the ball was dropped, leading to a field goal and a score of 24-21.
On Dallas’ next possession Will Hill laid out Dez Bryant in the open field causing a fumble, which the Giants recovered with 13:21 remaining.
The Giants drive after the fumble should have ended in an Andre Brown TD reception, but he was unaware of how close he was to the back of the endzone, leading to an incomplete pass and yet another field goal with 6:40 left.
Giants capitalized on another Cowboys punt with a field goal making it 30-21.
Rolle intercepted Romo on a deep ball to Terrence Williams in the end zone with 1:20 left. The Giants could not run out the clock, giving Dallas the ball, scoring on a Dez Bryant grab in the endzone with :06 seconds left. Dallas could not secure the onside kick and Eli knelt on the ball to end it.
Eli Manning: 23-32 for 279, 2 TD and 1 int.
Andre Brown: 27 for 127 and 1. Also had 4 receptions for 46 yards.
Brandon Jacobs: 2 for 21.
Top Receivers:
- Cruz 6 for 71 and 1
- Nicks 6 for 78 and 1
- Myers 3 for 31
- Randle 2 for 29
With that TD, Nicks ended his scoreless streak at 13 games, hopefully it starts a new streak of games with touchdowns.
Tony Romo: 30-41 for 339 yards, 2 TDs, and 3 interceptions. He also ran one in from 1 yard out.
DeMarco Murray: 13 for 37 and 1.
Top Receivers:
Terrance Williams: 12 for 151.
Jason Witten: 5 for 66 and 1.
Dez Bryant: 4 for 51 and 1.
Defenses:
Giants:
The big story coming in was how the Giants would be physical with Dez. It seemed to be an effective strategy, limiting him to 4 receptions.
Hankins and Tuck each had a sack.
Rolle, Hill, and McBride all had an interception.
Will Hill also forced that Dez Bryant fumble which was recovered by Rolle.
Cowboys:
This defense got to Eli 7 times on the day, surprisingly, Ware was held to zero.
George Selvie and Jason Hatcher had 2 sacks each.
Everette Brown, Cameron Lawrence (3rd string LOLB), and Barry Church had 1 sack each.
Specials:
Josh Brown went 3-3 in very windy conditions. Impressive.
Game Notes:
With the most recent Madden update, the only player I did not play was Corey Webster. I also put Will Hill starting over Mundy, because that’s how it has been for the past few games. For Dallas, starting middle backer Lee, and outside backers Durant and Holloman took a seat as well due to injuries. Ernie Sims started at MLB. Cameron Lawrence at outside.
The Giants picked up their 4th straight win last week bringing Madden’s record vs. the Giants season to 9-1. Hey, I was mad about it in the beginning, but now I’m starting to like how Madden is always right…