Monday, October 5, 2015

First Place Has Never Felt So Good: Bills Recap.

(Credit USA Today)

From an 0-2 start, and people once again calling for Coughlin's head, the Giants are now 2-2 and tied for 1st place in the NFC East. Do the Cowboys have injuries? Romo, Dez, and now Lance Dunbar? Sure. What people have to remember though, is that the Giants are without a starting LT in Will Beatty, their best defensive player in JPP, their top slot guy in Cruz, and a half healthy Beason. They had to pick a guy off the street (Meriweather) to play safety due to injuries. The other safety is a rookie. Their replacement LT has been hobbled with an ankle injury. Their best run blocking TE is now getting foot surgery and is a likely candidate for IR.

 This is what makes this Giants team special. The will and fight they have to ignore the injuries and just go out and get the job done. The way they lost the first two could have buried any team for the rest of the year. This team has clawed back.

 But enough of that, let's get to the good stuff, really just going to mention the big plays here.

 Flowers lasted one play at LT before he limped off. 4 minutes left in the 1st, and he was back in. This guy is one tough MFer and its refreshing to have a big tough guy like that on the line.

 Devon Kennard had his first career interception with this awesome play:


Put the ball on the Buffalo 32. Dwayne Harris decided it was time to prove he's an asset not only as a returner, but as a wideout as well with a TD reception from an Eli missile strike. 9-3 after a missed 38-yard extra point (after a false start).

The Bills started with stupid penalties early. Flowers got Larry Hughes all riled up after a 15 yard Jennings run to put the Giants on the Bills 33.  Eli ends up hitting Rueben Randle for the TD which ended in the #SalsaSalute:



16-3.

Minute left in the half, 3rd and 1 and Tyrod Taylor gets stuffed on a sneak attempt. Landon Collins made the play by running around the pile and pulling Tyrod Taylor backwards so he couldn't reach for the first. If that drive ends up in points, best case the Giants would be up 10 at half with no momentum. Big play.

5:45 left in the 3rd and Tyrod Taylor runs right for 31 yards for a TD. Fortunately, it was called back on a hold, the Bills 12th penalty of the game. Drive ended on a Carpenter miss from 30 yards out.

Start to the 4th quarter had the Bills driving and at the 2, Tyrod Taylor ran right. He was hit first by Unga, and then pushed out at the 1 by Kerry Wynn. Down 16-3 Bills ended up going for it, short pass to Karlos Williams which got STUFFED for no gain.

Giants were pinned deep after the goal line stand and ended up punting, but Beckham was still doing Beckham things, even though it didn't count:



The Giants punt put the Bills on their own 49. They ended up scoring on 3 plays after a Karlos Williams wheel route, burning Kennard up the sideline for the 23 yard TD reception.

16-10.

But then, the Giants answered:



Eli saw the blitz coming and changed the play to the swing pass. Knew Jennings would have one man to beat, and put the ball on his hip with the defender right there. Ball on the inside hip told Jennings to cut inside.  Awesome job by #10... and Jennings. Williams ran in for the 2-point conversion.

24-10.

Prince and Landon Collins ended up stripping Robert Woods in a joint effort on the next drive. I was waiting for a whistle but the guys kept ripping at the ball and finally got it out. Prince returned it to the Bills 40.

Eli threw his first pick of the year with 3:51 left to play, at the Buffalo 1. Came after OBJ didn't come down with the ball after a fade in the end zone.

Charles Clay had a 32 yard TD called back on another penalty. With 20 seconds left, the teams starting FULLBACK got a sack:


This guy is a shining example of what kind of heart this Giants team has. On that same drive, he almost got another one! Watch #49. Draws the flag and never stops hustling.




Whitlock played 13 snaps on offense, 8 on defense, 23 on special teams. Amazing.

Game ended, and JPP was happy:



Giants came into this season with people doubting the offensive line, and with good reason. No starting LT, and players that really don't turn heads with their play. However, they are now 3rd best in the NFL with sacks allowed (4). The defense was looked at as another issue, but are now best in the league vs the run giving up 69.8 ypg. Would LOVE some more pressure on the QB, but beggars can't be choosers.

Great game, great week, and now the Giants have a pretty nice stretch coming up:

49ers: 1-3
Eagles 1-3
Cowboys: 2-2
Saints: 1-3
Buccaneers: 1-3

Would be great for the Giants to take all 5. Get to 7-2 before the Pats game on November 15th.

As always. Follow @realtlkFB on twitter for live tweets and vines throughout the games. I have a podcast now, which you can find HERE. Fun stuff. I love football.

Oh and one more thing. Every time Eli gets a delay of game, this is how I feel:

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