New York Giants 2016 Schedule: 5 Games The Defense Needs To Win
By Neal Lynch
Week 4: Monday, October 3rd, 8:30 PM at Minnesota Vikings (ESPN)
Eli Manning has played in seven games against the Vikings and has gone 2-5. In those contests, Eli’s completed 132 of 244 attempts (54%) for 1,445 yards with five touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Those look like my numbers from high school and, let’s just say, I didn’t make All-Conference.
1. December 27th, 2015 – Week 15 at MIN, L 17-49
15 completions on 29 attempts for 234 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions (50.7 rating)
2. October 21st, 2013 – Week 7 vs. MIN, W 23-7
23 completions on 39 attempts for 200 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interception (81.1 rating)
This win was due to the fact Josh Freeman – who was signed the week of the game – started and played through a concussion.
3. December 13th, 2010 – Week 13 @ MIN, W 21-3
22 completions on 37 attempts for 187 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions (59.2 rating)
4. January 3rd, 2010 – Week16 @ MIN, L 7-44
17 completions on 23 attempts for 141 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception (71.1 rating)
5. December 28th, 2008 – Week 16 @ MIN, L 19-20
11 completions on 19 attempts for 119 yards (76.4 rating)
6. November 25th, 2007 – Week 11 vs. MIN, L 17-41
21 completions on 49 attempts for 273 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions (33.8 rating)
7. November 13th, 2005 – Week 9, vs. MIN, L 21-24
23 completions on 48 attempts for 291 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions (39.5 rating)
What can the Giants D do to win? Stop Adrian Peterson. That’s the obvious answer, but contain Teddy Bridgewater and limit his mobility is the next most critical task. Teddy’s been the best quarterback in Minnesota since Brett Favre, but he’s still not a game-changer. He’s not a Russell Wilson. Not yet.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Janoris Jenkins, and Eli Apple should match up well with the wideouts and Landon Collins has support in the secondary. The Giants run defense in atrocious in 2015. That won’t be the case in ’16 with Damon Harrison and Johnathan Hankins back at full strength.
Next: #4 - Quote Our Defense, Never More...