Giants Daily Blitz Blog

JPP takes on Roethlisberger for first time

As a Florida native, Jason Pierre-Paul was no stranger to preparing for hurricanes like Sandy. The defensive end now sets his sights on a less familiar foe – Big Ben Roethlisberger.

Because of the NFL’s scheduling formula, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their quarterback land on the Giants’ slate once every four seasons. Pierre-Paul, drafted in 2010, has yet to play in the series that dates back to 1933.

That is, until now.

He’ll play in his first regular-season game against the Steelers this Sunday in MetLife Stadium. The Steelers enter Week 9 having allowed 14 sacks, and given Pierre-Paul’s recent exploits, he’d be curious to know how Roethlisberger has thrown just three interceptions. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has turned the ball over a league-low six times this season.

Working back into a (relatively) normal routine on Wednesday, the preparation has begun.

“We’ve got to get in and get back to work. It’s not going to affect us at all,” Pierre-Paul said of the hurricane and its aftermath. “Everybody knows we’ve got to hold each other accountable for what we do in this locker room and on the field. And we’re going to get the job done.

“[Coach Tom Coughlin] is going to do a great job of keeping us focused on what’s at stake. He’s going to come in, but it’s all on players, too. We’re going to come in and do what we have to do.”

Pierre-Paul did what he had to do and more last Sunday. He notched four tackles and upped his sack total to 5.5 with a takedown of Tony Romo. But his highlight came on a 28-yard interception returned for a touchdown against Dallas.

“Well, I worked on it with him for his hand placement exactly where it should be,” Coughlin joked on Monday, raising his hands above his head to mimic the play.

Meanwhile, the Giants have risen to a tie for seventh in the NFL with 21 sacks.

“It’s getting better, no question,” Coughlin said about the defensive line and the rush. “It’s definitely improved over the last three or four weeks.”

Inside the Locker Room: Prepping for Pittsburgh

The Giants got back to work on Wednesday and began preparing to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9…

QB Eli Manning
On focusing on the upcoming game…
“It was interesting. Obviously a lot of wind and some water coming through, but we made it through safely, the most important thing. Now the focus is obviously getting ready to play a football game. So it’s good to get everybody back in here and get the team together and understand we’ve got to get ready to play a game.”

LB Mark Herzlich
On possibly taking more snaps during the game…
“I am. As I said earlier, it’s a lot of the same preparation  I mean I’m always prepared to go in if need be, but the practice preparation will be a lot different. You know, getting the snaps during practice and getting mentally and physically more prepared to be in the game.”

LB Michael Boley
On spending more time together at the Giants facilities after the storm…
“I think it brings everyone closer together, you see guys come in, checking on each other, seeing if everything is alright, you know ‘How’s your family doing?’. I think stuff like that, brings us closer as a group.”

Week 8 Fantasy Football Grades

The views expressed in this article are not of the New York Football Giants but those of an independent Fantasy Expert.

Start

Cam Newton QB Panthers

Last Week: 351 total yards

Newton had another impressive outing throwing the ball in the windy city, which is usually a challenge for everyone else.  Though he failed to find the end zone, Newton showed that he can still throw it with the best of them and that he’s not going without a fight this season.  Look for him to improve weekly, especially with the worst pass defense up next on the schedule, which could lead to his best game of the
year.

(Arrow Up)

Alex Green RB Packers

Last Week: 82 total yards

Green had another consistent day at the office, rushing for 54 yards off of 22 carries and catching four passes for 28 yards receiving.  Still waiting for that goal line carry and breakout performance, Green will most likely get another crack at it next week vs. Arizona Cardinals.

(Arrow Up)

Patriots Defense: 7 points allowed, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks

The New England Patriots as a whole put on a show in London when they faced the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.  Not only did the defense give up just seven points on the day, but the offense scored 45 points. That means the Rams offense had plenty of opportunities to do damage, but just couldn’t get it done vs. a proven and one of the most underrated defenses in the league today.

(Arrow Up)

Greg Olsen TE Panthers

Last Week: 3 catches 23 yards

You would think that if Cam Newton threw for over 315 yards that his tight end would reap at least some chunks of receiving yards, which was far from the case.  Olsen will have to wait another for the next matchup against his former team, if he wants to get some sort of revenge.

(Arrow Down)

Read more »

Daily Blitz: Brown leads NFL in takeaways

After their win in Dallas, Stevie Brown and the Giants returned to the tri-state area just in time to prepare for Hurricane Sandy’s arrival on Monday. It would have been a long few days having to mull over a loss without electricity, but in large part because of Brown’s efforts, that wasn’t the case.

The safety had two interceptions and recovered a fumble in the 29-24 victory before battening down the hatches.

“We’re doing well, we’re doing well,” Brown said on “NFL AM” Tuesday morning. “It’s just me and my dog out here on the east coast. We’re both inside and safe and everything, and all the players, my teammates that I’ve talked to, they’re all doing well. Just no power right now. I haven’t spoken to one of my teammates that had any power. So we’re just hanging in there.”

Through eight weeks, Brown leads the NFL in takeaways with five interceptions and two fumbles recovered. He also has a league-best 168 interception return yards.

“It definitely feels good to get the recognition,” Brown said. “I didn’t even know I was the NFL leader in takeaways until I landed Sunday. My brother texted me and was telling me I was the leader in takeaways. I was like, man, that’s crazy. I would have never thought – unreal.”

Now Brown will prepare for a 4-3 Pittsburgh Steelers team that has turned the ball over just six times, which is tied for the lowest in the NFL (Houston Texans).

“We’re going to have to continue to do what we do,” Brown said. “We have to play good defense – stop [quarterback Ben] Roethlisberger, [wide receiver Mike] Wallace, [running back Rashard] Mendenhall, all them. And then Eli [Manning] on the other side of the ball is going to take care of business like always. So if we play as a team, we play hard, we’ll be good.”

QUICK HITS

» The First Look : Giants vs. Steelers

» Giants vs. Steelers Gameday Plaza Guide

» Key plays in win over Cowboys

» Upon Further Review: NFC East Lead

Power Rankings Roundup

With their 29-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, the Giants improved to 6-2 and maintained sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

Here’s a look at what outlets across the nation are saying about the Giants and how they stack up in our weekly power rankings roundup:

NFL.COM POWER POLL

NYG: 3
Previous: 3
Comments: One first-place vote. Voters include Gil Brandt, Bucky Brooks, Charley Casserly, Heath Evans, Daniel Jeremiah, Michael Lombardi, Willie McGinest, Shaun O’Hara, Gregg Rosenthal, Darren Sharper, Kurt Warner, Brian Webber, Steve Wyche.
NFC East: No. 14 Cowboys (previously 14), No. 15 Eagles (13), No. 19 Redskins (15)

CBSSPORTS.COM

NYG: 4
Previous: 4
Comments: “Do they know how to win in the Cowboys’ new stadium or what? They own the NFC East right now.” – Pete Prisco
NFC East: No. 15 Eagles (13), No. 16 Cowboys (15), No. 22 Redskins (21)

ESPN

NYG: 2
Previous: 2
Comments: “Seventh time in nine New York seasons Tom Coughlin has gone 6-2 or better in the first half. Only twice has he won at least five in the second half.” – Dan Graziano
NFC East: No. 14 Cowboys (15), No. 18 Redskins (13), No. 19 Redskins (18)

FOX SPORTS

NYG: 4
Previous: 4
Comments: “The positives: The Giants held a 23-point lead on Sunday at Dallas and forced six turnovers in the process. The negatives: The 23-point lead dissipated by the end of the third quarter and they were only able to translate six turnovers into 23 points. The only thing that matters: They won.” – Brian Billick
NFC East: No. 15 Cowboys (13), No. 17 Redskins (14), No. 21 Eagles (17)

AP PRO 32

NYG: 2
Previous: 2
Comments: One first-place vote. Who voted? A national panel of 12 voters was created by The Associated Press from the 50 sports writers and broadcasters who choose the NFL’s individual awards at the end of the season.
NFC East: No. 15 Cowboys (15), No. 17 Eagles (14), No. 18 Redskins (13)

Vote Subway Player of the Game

Following the Giants’ 29-24 victory in Dallas, it’s time to vote for the Subway “Extra Effort” Player of the Game. Here are the three nominees and their performances:

PK Lawrence Tynes

5/5 FG, 43 LG, 2/2 XP, 17 PTS

VOTE LAWRENCE

CB Corey Webster

5 tackles, 1 INT returned 38 YDS, 1 PD

VOTE COREY

DE Jason Pierre-Paul

4 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 QB hit, 1 INT returned 28 YDS for TD

VOTE JPP

Players react to win on Twitter

Your Postgame @giants locker room! First place! Call 201.939.4513 to discuss the game! Live on giants.com! http://t.co/IeCQ5GFO—
New York Giants (@Giants) October 28, 2012

Tough game today man! But we got it done! The grind continues. Big Blue!—
Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) October 29, 2012

Great TEAMs win the close games. We are a family and we know how to WIN the close games. #TEAM #GIANTS #GIANTSNATION #NYG—
Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) October 29, 2012

These football game will give you a heart attack!! Great win!!! Pray for us for a safe travel back home to NY 👼🙏—
Justin Tryon (@JTryon30) October 29, 2012

I'm so proud of my team… We never quit and we always rally together! I'm so blessed and proud to be a NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANT!!!! #GIANTS—
Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) October 29, 2012

WIN—
Tyler Sash (@TSash) October 29, 2012

Great win today—
Andre Brown (@drebrown35) October 29, 2012

This one was huge…thanks giant nation for all the support out in dallas! #GMEN #nyg—
Henry Hynoski (@HenryHynoski) October 29, 2012

" If you make it hard just make it possible". A grinder out there today, But nonetheless a Dubya! # NYG—
Spencer Paysinger (@SpittyP) October 29, 2012

I can't take too many more like that! But 6-2 sounds good to me. #GMEN—
Rueben Randle (@RuebenRandle) October 29, 2012

“@CarlBanksGIII: #WHATCANBROWNDOFORBLUE! #Stevie Brown is a BEAST!”

I agree! What a stud!!!—
Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) October 29, 2012

Thank God for blessing us to play this game of football! #blessed #thankful #PFG—
Domenik Hixon (@domenik_hixon) October 29, 2012

Thanks to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers. Great win.—
Chase Blackburn (@Blackburn5793) October 29, 2012

Im getting grey hair. #gogiants—
Justin Tuck (@JustinTuckNYG91) October 29, 2012

Nothing better than heading back to NJ with a win! #bigblue http://t.co/uIsmK4B1—
New York Giants (@Giants) October 29, 2012

Postgame Stats and Highights

CLICK TO VIEW GAME DAY CENTER

4TH QTR: Giants pull out thriller

15:00 — Giants begin fourth quarter with the ball on their own 15.

14:46 — Eli Manning goes right to work on the first play of the fourth quarter, completing a 29-yard pass to Hakeem Nicks.

10:22 — FIELD GOAL GIANTS. Lawrence Tynes makes a 43-yard attempt to regain the lead. GIANTS 26, COWBOYS 24 (Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards in 4:26)

6:50 — After the Cowboys completed two key third downs, Felix Jones fumbles the football and Stevie Brown recovers at the Dallas 45.

3:37 — FIELD GOAL GIANTS. Lawrence Tynes adds to the lead with a 37-yarder. GIANTS 29, COWBOYS 24 (Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards in 3:09)

1:59 — Justin Tuck sacks Tony Romo but the play is negated by a defensive holding penalty.

1:14 — Stevie Brown intercepts Romo for the second time of the day.

0:00 — GIANTS 29, COWBOYS 24

3RD QTR: Cowboys take back lead

15:00 — Giants will kick off to begin the second half.

9:21 — TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS. On fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line, Tony Romo rushes around the right end for the score. XP is GOOD. GIANTS 23, COWBOYS 17 (Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards in 5:44)

8:26 — Giants go three-and-out on the ensuing drive, punting the ball back to Dallas with a one-possession lead.

3:50 — TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS. Dallas takes the lead on a one-yard Tony Romo pass to John Phillips. XP is GOOD. COWBOYS 24, GIANTS 23 (Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards in 4:24)

2:50 — Eli Manning finds Domenik Hixon for the first time in the game, converting a big third down on a 18-yard gain.

0:59 — Eli Manning throws an interception intended for Victor Cruz.

0:54 — In his second game back, Chris Canty sacks Tony Romo for a 12-yard loss.

0:00 — COWBOYS 24, GIANTS 23

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS