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Week 13 Game Recap: New York Giants 21, Chicago Bears 16
What you need to know
| New York Giants |
Eli Manning led the Giants to 14 fourth quarter points for a come from behind victory. Unfortunately prior that point in the game, Manning looked no better than he did in week 11 where he threw three interceptions for touchdowns to the Vikings. Though the Bears only sacked him once, the steady pressure never allowed Manning to get comfortable in the pocket, as he threw numerous questionable throws. Plaxico Burress played at less than 100%, and it seemed to hurt the Giants ability to stretch the field, having to rely on the running game to move the ball.
Filling in for the injured Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward set a career high with 154 yards rushing and a touchdown on 24 carries, while adding two receptions for 29 yards. Ward showed big play ability on two separate carries of 31 and 33 in the second quarter, even though Eli Manning wasn't able to provide much of a threat through the air. Ward shows good elusiveness for a back his size, and is able to finish off a run with power. He went to the locker room in the fourth quarter with what was reported as an ankle injury, and was replaced by Reuben Droughns. He did not return to the game.
Plaxico Burress played through an ankle injury to catch three passes for 36 yards. He was targeted a Giants high eight times, but only deep once, showing very little burst throughout the game. This offense doesn't run smoothly unless Burress is healthy and providing a deep threat for Eli Manning to throw to. Not surprisingly, the passing game struggled, although Amani Toomer elevated his play and Eli Manning looked his way frequently on crucial downs, totaling team highs of 69 yards and six receptions.
| Chicago Bears |
Apparently Good Rex was the guy that came to play in this game. Grossman completed 25 of 46 attempts for 296 yards and a touchdown, while avoiding any turnovers. His day would have been bigger had Devin Hester hauled in a wide open pass down the deep middle that would have gone for an 81 yard touchdown, putting the Bears up 14-0 in the second quarter. Unfortunately he dropped the ball, and only a few plays later the Giants were tying up the game. Bernard Berrian was also beating his man frequently down the left sideline, but Grossman was only able to capitalize once for 50 yards, after about five over throws of the speedy receiver. It was a solid game, although I'm sure Robbie Gould was a little too busy for head coach Lovie Smith's liking as the Bears only touchdown of the game came on their first drive.
The other Adrian Peterson looked impressive starting for an injured Cedric Benson. Though he only carried the ball for 67 yards on 22 attempts, he provided Grossman with a great check down option out of the backfield to the tune of 82 yards on seven receptions. Clearly Peterson adds an element to this offense that Benson never could. Though he doesn't have the physical gifts many NFL running backs might, he runs hard and shows great heart. Something that previous starter Benson was criticized of lacking. He's one of those players that makes the most of the skill he's been given. The Bears seem content making him their workhorse, as no other Bears running back saw the field.
Bernard Berrian is the Bears receiver that will be most happy about Rex Grossman's entry back into the starting lineup. Though he only caught three passes for 59 yards, he and Grossman were just short on connecting on a few other deep plays down the left sideline, where Berrian was continuously beating his man with the go pattern. Given Grossman's superior deep arm strength in comparison to previous starting quarterback Brian Griese, Berrian figures to benefit the most since he's most comfortable going deep.
What you ought to know
| QB Eli Manning, Pass: 16 - 27 - 195 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0 |
Eli Manning completed 16 of 27 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. In the fourth quarter with the Giants down, Manning hit Amani Toomer for a six yard touchdown. The officials initially called it incomplete, but upon review it was determined that Toomer got both hands underneath the under thrown ball. Manning led the final Giants drive of the game to a Reuben Droughns two yard touchdown; the eventual game clinching points. Early in the game Manning and Jeremy Shockey were once again on the wrong page, throwing a pass his direction for an interception. It appeared as though Manning was suspecting a different route from the tight end. Manning rushed once for two yards, and as usual stayed within the pocket for much of the game. In addition to his two interceptions, Manning also fumbled the ball once, his seventh turnover in the last two games.
| RB Derrick Ward, Rush: 24 - 154 - 1, Rec: 2 - 29 - 0 (5 targets) |
Derrick Ward set a career high with 154 rushing yards on 24 carries. Ward hit the century mark with 110 yards rushing by halftime, but was slowed some and then eventually left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. He went to the locker room to take x-rays, and did not return. Ward was targeted five times, and caught two passes for 29 yards. Though Ward accounted for much of the first half offense, he did fumble on consecutive carries in the third quarter, one of which was recovered by the Bears.
| RB Reuben Droughns, Rush: 10 - 25 - 1 |
Reuben Droughns carried the ball ten times for 25 yards. On his first carry of the game early in the second quarter, Droughns ran the ball in for a one yard score. However, on that play Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith threw a challenge flag pertaining to the previous play. The referees determined it to be on time, though the replays showed that it was thrown after the ball was snapped. Though the challenge was not won, it took a touchdown away from Droughns. Derrick Ward scored two plays later. Midway through the fourth quarter, starter Derrick Ward injured his ankle, and Droughns finished off the game for him, getting six of his ten carries late in the game. With the offense driving, Droughns got in for a two yard touchdown to put the Giants in the lead for good. This score would count.
| RB Brandon Jacobs |
Brandon Jacobs was inactive for this game due to a pulled hamstring.
| WR Amani Toomer, Rec: 6 - 69 - 1 (6 targets) |
Amani Toomer came through with 69 yards on six receptions, while catching the lone Eli Manning touchdown. On that play it was initially ruled as though the six yard pass was incomplete, however upon review it was determined that Toomer got his hands underneath the under thrown ball for his third touchdown of the season. With Plaxico Burress laboring on the field, Toomer became Eli's go to receiver in many key situations, and had a fine day catching all six of the targets he received.
| WR Plaxico Burress, Rec: 3 - 36 - 0 (8 targets) |
Plaxico Burress finished the game with three catches for 36 yards on eight targets. Burress was targeted deep only once, and didn't appear to be playing at 100%, but played through his lingering ankle injury. He had trouble gaining separation, though still garnered a lot of attention from the Bears secondary. Burress' biggest play of the game came on the Giants last drive, where he caught a 15 yard pass in traffic that would eventually setup the game winning Reuben Droughns two yard touchdown. One of Burress' eight targets came in the fourth quarter, however it was picked off by Bears cornerback Charles Tillman, for one of Eli Manning's two interceptions on the day.
| WR David Tyree, Rec: 2 - 32 - 0 (3 targets) |
David Tyree caught two passes for 32 yards, both of which came in the fourth quarter. Sinorice Moss started the game as the Giants slot receiver, but when Moss failed to make an impact he lost playing time to Tyree as the game went on. Tyree rewarded that decision, with two big fourth quarter catches, both getting the Giants first downs, and one going for 24 yards to later setup the go ahead touchdown. He was targeted three times on the day, one in the end zone on an Eli Manning overthrow.
| TE Jeremy Shockey, Rec: 2 - 25 - 0 (5 targets) |
Jeremy Shockey caught two passes for 25 yards on five targets in what had to be a disappointing day for the tight end. With Plaxico Burress hobbled and playing at less than full strength, it was Amani Toomer who elevated his game and not Shockey in this one. Shockey was targeted on Eli Manning's first quarter interception on a play that appeared as though Shockey wasn't running the same route Manning expected him to. Later in the game Shockey made a few big plays though, one was a third quarter catch for 18 yards to put the Giants deep in the Bears end of the field. The other came in the fourth quarter on a drawn defensive pass interference penalty that would move the Giants offense into the red zone.
| PK Lawrence Tynes 0 - 0 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 3 points |
Lawrence Tynes hit on all three of his convert attempts, and did not have any field goal attempts in this game.
| NYG Rush Defense |
The Giants allowed 68 rushing yards on 23 carries for an average of three yards per carry. Adrian Peterson ran hard and moved well, but did not break off any long gains which would limit his overall rushing yardage. Peterson garnered all but one of the Bears rushing attempts, the other going to Devin Hester. There were no large holes, and it seemed as though the Giants played the run tough with eight in the box frequently, attempting to make quarterback Rex Grossman beat them with his arm.
| NYG Pass Defense |
The Giants gave up 296 passing yards and one passing touchdown to Rex Grossman The Giants played to stop the run, and allow Grossman to beat them through the air, and he nearly did. Grossman's day would have been a lot larger had Devin Hester not dropped what would have ended up being an 81 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Bernard Berrian was deep down the left sideline what seemed like half a dozen times, however Grossman was only able to hit him on one of those for 50 yards, overthrowing him on four other attempts, a few of which were by the narrowest of margins. Late in the fourth quarter with 1:30 left in the game and the Bears needing to score a touchdown, the defensive secondary played well to keep them from driving down the field for the win. Otherwise the Bears offense was able to move the ball with success through the air. The Bears sacked Grossman six times in this game, and provided their reliably fierce pressure up front, but the secondary did not look up to the task most of the game.
| QB Rex Grossman, Pass: 25 - 46 - 296 - 1 TD / 0 INT |
Rex Grossman threw for 296 passing yards on 25 of 46 attempts, and did not turn the ball over in this game. Despite being sacked six times in this game and enduring the Giants fierce pass rush throughout, Grossman looked composed in the pocket and didn't make any bad throws in the game. In the second quarter Grossman found Devin Hester streaking down the middle of the field, and threw a nice pass, but Hester misjudged the ball and let it hit him in the shoulder pad. That would have accounted for an easy 81 yard touchdown, putting the Bears up 14-0 had Hester not dropped the pass. Bernard Berrian seemed to frequently get open deep down the left sideline, however Grossman was only able to hit him once for 50 yards on a perfectly thrown pass in tight coverage. Otherwise Grossman's deep targets were generally overthrown. Grossman's loan score of the game came on the first drive, where he found Desmond Clark wide open in the back of the end zone on a play action fake to Adrian Peterson.
| RB Adrian Peterson, Rush: 22 - 67 - 0, Rec: 7 - 82 - 0 (8 targets) |
Now the starter in Chicago with the season ending injury to Cedric Benson, Adrian Peterson carried the ball 22 times for 67 yards, while catching seven of his eight targets for another 82 yards through the air. Peterson provided Rex Grossman with a great dump off option out of the backfield, and Rex didn't hesitate to use it frequently. Though Peterson's longest rushing play of the game only went for nine yards, he had big 29 yard reception down the left sideline, and another 25 yard gain on a screen pass with time running out in the second quarter.
| RB Garrett Wolfe |
Though active for this game, Wolfe did not garner any carries or targets, as Adrian Peterson seemed to play all downs throughout the game not requiring a backup.
| RB Cedric Benson |
Cedric Benson was inactive for this game and has been placed on the Bears injured reserve due to a fractured left leg.
| WR Bernard Berrian, Rec: 3 - 59 - 0 (9 targets) |
Bernard Berrian caught three passes for 59 yards, on nine total targets. Berrian seemed to get open deep down the left sideline frequently, however Rex Grossman only completed one of those passes for 50 yards. Otherwise Grossman was over-throwing Berrian on his deep targets, a few of which were by narrow margins. Late in the fourth quarter with the Bears third and 15 at midfield, Grossman found Berrian to the left sideline for what would have been a first down but Berrian dropped the catch. Muhsin Muhammad would later convert on fourth and 15, but it further shows that Berrian's truest strength is on go patterns where he can streak down the field, but his hands aren't always reliable.
| WR Muhsin Muhammad, Rec: 3 - 52 - 0 (6 targets) |
Muhsin Muhammad caught three passes for 52 yards on six targets. His biggest play of the game came late in the fourth quarter on the final drive of the game. The Bears were fourth and 15 from midfield, and Muhammad caught a Grossman bullet pass for a 20 yard gain to extend the game for a few more plays. With Grossman's strength throwing the deep ball, Muhammad figures to remain an inconsistent option in the offense since it's Bernard Berrian with the deep speed.
| WR Devin Hester, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0, Rec: 1 - -4 - 0 (2 targets) |
The Bears made an effort to get Devin Hester involved in their offense, and that nearly paid off in the second quarter when Rex Grossman found Hester streaking down the middle of the field at least ten yards in behind the secondary. The pass was on the money, but the ball hit Hester in the shoulder as he couldn't adjust to the deep pass. It would have gone for an 81 yard score, and given the Bears a 14-0 lead. Though Hester clearly has game breaking ability, he appears to be still quite raw as a receiver. Hester also caught a backward pass for negative one yards, and took a screen pass for negative six yards. Hester failed to make an impact in the return game, as Giants punter Jeff Feagles did a good job of angling the ball to the sideline on most of his punts.
| TE Desmond Clark, Rec: 5 - 76 - 1 (5 targets) |
Desmond Clark caught all five of his targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. Clark started the game off with a bang, catching three passes on the Bears opening drive for 25 yards, the third being a one yard touchdown in the back of the end zone. In the third quarter Clark had a beautiful 44 yard gain on a perfectly thrown ball by Rex Grossman. Though generally not considered the big play threat of the tight end duo with Greg Olsen, it was Clark that was making all of the big plays at the position in this one.
| TE Greg Olsen, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (2 targets) |
Greg Olsen caught both of his targets, but only for a total of seven yards. Olsen only got on the field in double tight end formations, as Clark was the one making the big plays in this game.
| PK Robbie Gould 3 - 3 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 10 points |
Robbie Gould successfully hit on all of his field goal attempts from 35, 46, and 41. He successfully converted his only point after attempt of the game.
| CHI Rush Defense |
Even without starter Brandon Jacobs, the Chicago Bears allowed 175 rushing yards on 37 attempts for an average of 4.7 yards per attempt. Derrick Ward filling in for an injured Jacobs ran for a career high of 154 yards on the ground on 24 attempts before he himself was injured mid way through the fourth quarter. Ward had long gains of 31 and 33, and even though Eli Manning wasn't scaring anyone with the passing game early, Ward was still able to carve up yardage on the ground in a poor effort by the Bears rush defense. Droughns replaced Ward in the fourth quarter, and though he was mainly held down, was able to convert on a crucial fourth and short for a nine yard game. Ward lost two fumbles, one of which was recovered by the Bears.
| CHI Pass Defense |
The Bears allowed Eli Manning 195 yards through the air on 16 of 27 passing attempts. Though they were only every able to sack him once, they provided steady pressure throughout, never allowing Manning to get comfortable in the pocket. The Bears forced Manning into one fumble, and two interceptions. For most of the game Manning was completely held down, but in the fourth quarter he seemed to regain some confidence and rallied the offense to 14 fourth quarter points and the win. Still it was a solid performance by the Bears pass defense, as it was really the effectiveness the Giants had on the ground that led to the eventual win.
