| Green
Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts during the second half
of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East
Rutherford, N.J. |
 |
EAST
RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Green Bay Packers had better hope they
don't see the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants again
anytime soon.
The Packers'
five-game winning streak came to an embarrassing end as Eli Manning
threw three touchdowns and Giants routed Green Bay 38-10 in a
nationally televised game Sunday night.
Coming on the
heels of last season's loss in the NFL semifinal, it was the
Packers' second straight lopsided loss to New York (7-4) and this
one seemed worse than the 37-20 setback. It also left them a game
behind Chicago (8-3) in the NFC North.
The Giants
dominated in all phases on a night that Manning set a franchise
record with his 200th career touchdown pass.
"I think
this is a game that makes everybody look inside and find out what
you're about," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I
haven't felt like this since the first game I coached as a Green Bay
Packers head coach. Beaten very thoroughly tonight. It doesn't taste
good. It doesn't feel good."
The 38 points
were the most given up by Green Bay this season and it came in a
game in which Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times and hit at least
as many times.
"You win
five in a row and everyone is happy, but like I said last year
during the run, there are things that go under the radar that need
to be handled," said Rodgers, who finished 14 of 25 for 219
yards, a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble.
"Sometimes it takes a loss. ... We need to remember this
feeling and not have this kind of embarrassment happen again.
"We have
games and we have to make the most of them," Rodgers said.
"We have three at home and four in the division. It all lays
out right in front of us."
The only way
they would face the Giants again this season would be in the
playoffs.
The win
allowed the Giants to snap a two-game losing streak, open a two-game
lead in the NFC East and end all the negative talk that has
surrounded the team in its bye week, starting with Manning's tired
arm.
Manning's arm
looked fine and the Packers certainly can attest to New York's
turnaround following a week off. The showcase game was decided early
as the Giants outscored the Packers 31-10 in the opening half.
Manning reached 200 career TD passes by throwing for three scores.
"Play
like world champions," coach Tom Coughlin said. "That was
the theme of our meetings this week and Saturday."
The Packers
were missing such key starters as linebacker Clay Matthews,
defensive back Charles Woodson and receiver Greg Jennings, and it
showed.
"I feel
when your team performs that way, it starts with the head
coach," McCarthy said. We had mental errors, penalties. It was
out of character for our football team. It's a very disappointing
loss on Sunday Night Football, a big NFC battle.
New York's
balanced attack was guided by Manning, who had his first strong game
in a month with 249 yards passing.
"There
was no doubt he was going to come back and play well," Coughlin
said. "I think the rest really helped him. ... Eli said he felt
as if he was coming back for the start of the season. I was very
confident he would come back and be Eli."
Ahmad Bradshaw
gained a combined 119 yards and scored a touchdown. He had the first
big play of the night to begin the offensive onslaught.
New York
struck early with a brilliantly conceived screen pass to Bradshaw
off a fake reverse to Victor Cruz. Bradshaw sped down the field
before being caught at the Green Bay 2, a 59-yard pickup that led to
Andre Brown's scoring run.
Brown later
broke his leg; Coughlin did not say which leg after the game.
Green Bay
didn't flinch, with Jordy Nelson getting behind Corey Webster in
single coverage down the right sideline for a 61-yard TD reception
from Rodgers.
The scoring
flurry went back in the Giants' favor — and pretty much stayed
there — when Manning hit Rueben Randle in the back of the end zone
for a 16-yard TD. It was the first score for the rookie and
Manning's first touchdown throw in four games, and he set it up
with, of all things, a scramble in which he laid his shoulder into
Packers cornerback Tramon Williams for a 13-yard gain.
"It
sparked our sideline," Coughlin said. "It would not be the
recommended way. To see him do that kind of sent the message to the
rest of our team: Whatever you have to do to succeed, do it."
Webster's
interception led to Lawrence Tynes' 43-yard field goal late in the
first quarter for a 17-7 lead, and the Giants weren't nearly done.
Manning's 9-yard connection with Cruz tied him for the club record
with 199 career TD passes, and after Osi Umenyiora's strip-sack of
Rodgers was recovered by Jason Pierre-Paul at the Green Bay 23,
Bradshaw scored from the 13.
The 31 points
were the most New York scored in a half all season and nearly
equaled the 33 it scored in its two losses before the bye.
And the Giants
had more offense in them. Manning threw his 200th TD pass to move
ahead of Phil Simms, a 13-yarder over the middle to Hakeem Nicks,
who stretched the ball over the goal line as he was tackled.
NOTES: The
Giants lost safety Kenny Phillips with a knee injury in the third
quarter. He was making his first appearance since Week 4, when he
was sidelined with a knee problem. ... Giants right tackle David
Diehl sustained a stinger in the first half. ... Green Bay lost
safety M.D. Jennings (rib), DE C.J. Wilson (knee), and RB Johnny
White (concussion).
Lions-Packers game remains
on Sunday night
NEW YORK - The Detroit Lions' game at the Green Bay Packers will
remain on Sunday night Dec. 9, as will the 49ers-Patriots
showdown the next week.
The NFL announced its flexible
scheduling decisions Monday. Starting in Week 11, the league can
move a more appealing matchup into prime time on NBC if need be.
It has yet to do so this season.
The game between San Francisco and New England on Dec. 16 is
so attractive the NFL announced a week early that it would be
staying put. The 49ers are 8-2-1, while the Patriots are 8-3.
While the Lions are just 4-7, the Packers are always a big TV
draw and are in the thick of playoff contention.
Giants
might be on cusp of another late run
| New York
Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) watches his team play during
the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay
Packers, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. |
 |
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - With
a crushing win over the Green Bay Packers, the New York
Giants believe this could be the start of another
late-season title run.
While no one was ready to predict a third trip to the
Super Bowl since the 2007 season, the Giants (7-4) easily
played their best game in a month in the 38-10 win on Sunday
night that gave them a two-game lead in the NFC East.
All three phases were suddenly in tune following an off
week.
The goal now is to take the next step, as they did last
season, ending the year with a six-game winning streak that
gave the Giants a second title in five seasons.
A step back against Washington next Monday puts the
division up for grabs.