Two teams with opposite records both played like their opponent was expected to. The 0-2 Giants dominated on both ends of the ball and looked crisp and effective. The 2-0 Texans looked flustered and at points teammates were even arguing with each other. In the end, the Giants beat the Texans 30-17 to earn their first victory of the season.
Eli Manning was outstanding as he went 21-28 for 234 yards and two touchdowns. On the other hand, Ryan Fitzpatrick went 20-34 for 289 yards 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Quarterbacks coach Danny Langsdorf challenged Manning to complete 70 percent of his passes in 2014.
Although it seems like an unrealistic goal, Manning’s completion percentage should go up due to more short passes, which will allow for Manning to make better choices as well. Through 3 games this season, Manning has a 61% completion percentage, but in Sunday’s win over the Texans it was 75%.
What the Giants lacked last season was a solid running game. Last week Rashad Jennings had a costly fumble and he was determined to make up for it this week. In response, Jennings rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown. The Texans did not have an answer for Jennings and if Jennings can provide a solid presence in the backfield that could be just what the Giants need to put them over the hump.
The Texans were without their star running back Arian Foster and in his place started the rookie out of LSU Alfred Blue. Blue rushed for 78 yards on the game. Victor Cruz had a rough go of it over his first two games this season, but he finally found the end zone this week getting his first touchdown since week 4 of last season.
This wasn’t a flawless game by any stretch of the imagination for the Giants either. A Larry Donnell fumble in the red zone and a bad snap on a field goal attempt by Zak DeOssie will certainly catch coach Tom Coughlin’s attention. When those mistakes happened in the first half, Coughlin’s face was the color of a tomato so don’t expect Coughlin to forget about those mishaps.
Special teams was a problem in last weeks loss against the Cardinals, but this week special teams was a huge factor in the win for the Giants. Damontre Moore had a huge block of Shane Lechler’s punt in the third quarter which led to a Eli Manning to Daniel Fells touchdown connection to put the Texans away.
The Giants next game is on Thursday night against their division rivals the Washington Redskins. The Texans next game is on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Extra Notes:
Eli Manning had his first game without an interception this season. The Texans were without first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney who remains sidelined after having surgery on a torn meniscus.
