Benjamin Franklin once said, “Energy and Persistence Conquers All Things.”
The Giants haven’t conquered all things, but they surely took a conquest in their 23-10 victory over the Broncos Sunday night.
It was the Giants team we anticipated watching five games ago.
The Giants went to Denver and totally dominated a Broncos team that expected simply enter Sports Authority Field at Mile High and watch the Giants simply collapse.
Instead, New York ran the ball behind a crisp offensive line and kept the Broncos in check on defense all night long. Even though they were outgained, 412-266 in total yardage, the Giants forced three turnovers and made the plays when they were needed. They allowed just 46 yards on the ground and played a “bend-but don’t break” pass defense that allowed 366 yards, but Janoris Jenkins returned a pick six early and Landon Collins also snared one.
The G-Men brought the brand of energy and perseverance that made them look like a playoff team. Remember, this was a team that appeared to be in more turmoil than a recent Hollywood producer as well as being ravaged by injuries.
Head coach Ben McAdoo, who handed the playcalling assignments to offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, still knows this is a long process for a 1-5 team.
“We were physical and heavy-handed in all three phases,” he said. “It is one win out of a 16-game schedule. We felt like we had a good plan coming into the game. The players went out and executed at a high level.”
They definitely did, especially providing a much-needed defensive effort. The front line finally showed how they can dominate a game, notably from Jason Pierre-Paul, who registered three sacks.
Paul took the first step in redeeming himself from a rather invisible presence through five games. So did Damon Harrison, who plugged up the middle all night and notched a sack.
“This is big, but I will look to get better,” he said. “This was balanced. In football, you are going to have injuries and have to fight through them.”
Offensively, Eli Manning called a controlled passing game, unleashing Evan Engram in the flat that allowed him to catch five balls with a touchdown.
But the real caveat was the running game that accumulated a welcomed 128 yards behind the offensive line that pushed around Denver’s line. Orleans Darkwa continues to look like the workhorse they have been seeking with an output of 117 on 21 carries. Credit new right tackle Justin Pugh, who limited Von Miller to one tackle, a sack.
The scene now shifts back to Met Life this Sunday when the Seattle Seahawks make that long, cross-country trip with a 3-2 mark off a bye week. Like New England, Seattle hasn’t lived up to their hype.
After that comes a bye week and then a home game with the Rams and road games with the 49ers and Chiefs. Are you thinking 5-5 at that point?
With more showing like this one, it certainly could happen. This was a team along with its coach that was given up for dead, and they could have another resurrection with a Mile-High setting.
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