**
TURNING POINT**
|
RELATED NEWS |
Watch Highlights from Week 15 Recap the Giants' Week 15 matchup with the top plays... Can't Miss Photos from NYG-SEA |
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
Four punts and three interceptions on their first seven drives set the tone of the day for the Giants, who continued to struggle on offense against the NFL's No. 1 defense. They mustered just 54 yards and two first downs in the first half as quarterback Eli Manning (18 of 31 passing, 156 yards, five interceptions) was under pressure for much of the day. The Giants allowed four sacks and managed a dismal 25 rushing yards on 14 attempts. When they finally worked their way into the red zone late in the fourth quarter, the drive fittingly ended with Manning's fifth interception of the game.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
With little help from the offense, the Giants put up a fight defensively, forcing Seattle to settle for field goals for much of the afternoon. They held up against premier running back Marshawn Lynch on the ground -- limiting him to 47 yards on 16 attempts -- but he hurt them as a safety valve in the passing game while he hauled in six passes for 73 yards. Despite Seattle converting just three third downs and giving up three sacks, quarterback Russell Wilson was able to extend plays long enough to gash the Giants and move the ball down the field to put points on the board.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS
On a busy day for special teams, punter Steve Weatherford turned in another impressive performance, averaging 47.5 yards on eight kicks and landing two inside the 20-yard line. While the coverage units did their jobs, the Giants didn't get much going in the return game as Jerrel Jernigan took over kickoff return duties.
IMPACT PLAYERS
Giants: S Ryan Mundy (six tackles a sack in his first start since Week 7), S Antrel Rolle (notched his sixth interception of the season), DT Cullen Jenkins (three tackles, two QB hits and a shared sack). Seahawks: QB Russell Wilson (18 of 27 passing, 206 yards, touchdown, interception, 50 rushing yards), WR Doug Baldwin (six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown), Cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell (two interceptions each).