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TURNING POINT**

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After giving up a punt return for a touchdown to Marcus Sherels earlier in the game, the Giants recovered a fumble by the return specialist in the third quarter deep in Vikings territory. Two plays later, Peyton Hillis punched in a one-yard touchdown run for a 10-point lead en route to a 23-7 victory for the Giants, their first of the season.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
Led by Eli Manning, the offense took a methodical approach on Monday night without injured running backs Brandon Jacobs and David Wilson, emphasizing ball control in a season plagued by turnovers. Starting with their 17-play opening drive that ate up most of the first quarter, the Giants controlled the clock for more than 36 minutes while midseason backfield additions Peyton Hillis and John Conner proved valuable in picking up the blitz to keep Manning upright. The offense made enough plays to capitalize on the Vikings' turnovers and lack of production on offense. The Giants had one turnover in the game, but it did not come from the offense.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
Playing against quarterback Josh Freeman, who made his first start with the Vikings two weeks after signing with the team, the Giants held Minnesota to just 13 first downs and zero offensive points. Freeman completed just 20-of-52 passes, while the Giants turned in another solid performance against the run, limiting Adrian Peterson to eight rushes for nine yards in the first half and 13 for 28 overall. They also broke through in the takeaway and sack departments. Safety Antrel Rolle grabbed his second interception of the year, and Justin Tuck notched just the sixth sack of the Giants' season.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

Penalties and breakdowns once again hurt the coverage units. The Giants allowed their third return for a touchdown of the season when Sherels broke an 86-yard punt return late in the first quarter for the Vikings only points of the game. The Giants also allowed a 69-yard kick return by Cordarrelle Patterson in addition to Rueben Randle losing a fumble for New York on a punt return. Nevertheless, the Giants did recover two fumbles on special teams that led to points.

ROOKIE WATCH
With Jacobs and Wilson out, running back Michael Cox had 11 carries for 23 yards and two catches for one yard;  T Justin Pugh has started every game this season at right tackle; QB Ryan Nassib, S Cooper Taylor, and DT Johnathan Hankins were on the inactive list and did not dress.

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