New York Giants 22, Chicago Bears 16
Here are the highest-graded players and top takeaways from the Giants' win over the Bears.
Eli manages team to win
Quarterback grade: Eli Manning, 47
Manning was 21-of-37 on pass attempts with two drops for 227 yards. Under pressure Manning was stable completing 10-of-15 pass attempts for 131 yards and a touchdown. Manning didn’t find much success on deep passes as he completed only two of six attempts for 68 yards. Manning failed to find success passing off of play action as he was two of six for only 31 yards and on a day with the weather not cooperating for drop back passing, it was tough at times for Manning.
Top offensive grades:
C Adam Gettis, 72.4
RB Rashad Jennings, 72
T Bobby Hart, 70.3
WR Roger Lewis, 67.7
WR Victor Cruz, 67.3
Giants offense productive when needed to earn win
The offense struggled with the wind conditions and Manning’s inability to find his rhythm, but Rashad Jennings had the hot hand in the backfield for the Giants as they were forced to run the ball more than usual. On 21 rushing attempts Jennings forced only one missed tackle, but he also forced a missed tackle receiving out of the backfield and managed to break through on a long run. Overall there weren’t many stand out performances for the Giants, but they did manage to move the ball and put up some points.
Top defensive grades:
S Landon Collins, 89.8
DE Jason Pierre-Paul, 84.5
DE Oliver Vernon 84.2
DT Damon Harrison 80
CB Trevin Wade 78.4
Giants defense rises to the occasion in win
The Giants defense struggled to start the game but the pressure up front and ability to blanket the Bears receivers especially in the second half was key to the Giants victory. Jason Pierre- Paul had three sacks and two hurries in a great effort. His counterpart Oliver Vernon was nearly as good generating a sack and five hurries. The D-line’s ability to make Cutler move under pressure on his drop back pass attempts helped the back end of the Giants defense. Landon Collins made plays all over the field both in run defense with two tackles and an assist but also in coverage. Collins was targeted four times and yielded only one reception for 23 yards.
Quarterback grade: Jay Cutler, 71.0
Cutler has mixed day in the Meadowlands
Playing against a brutal wind and a good defensive effort by the Giants Cutler made some nice throws, but ultimately the Bears' inability offensively to convert third downs in the second half led to several 3-and-outs and ultimately the loss. On the day Cutler dropped back to pass 35 times, completing 17-of-31 pass attempts for 252 yards with a touchdown and interception. Cutler was victimized by four drop passes and also sacked four times. Including the late-game interception, Cutler was four-of-six on passes of 20 yards or more for 111 yards. Under pressure Cutler struggled, completing only three-of-12 pass attempts with one drop for 64 yards and an interception.
Top offensive grades:
TE Zach Miller, 83.0
C Cody Whitehair, 82.1
G Josh Sitton, 81.7
G Ted Larsen, 74.7
WR Josh Bellamy, 73.0
Zach Miller has nice day
Bears TE Zach Miller caught all three passes thrown to him from Cutler as the duo connected for 61 yards and a touchdown including twice on passes of 20 yards or more. As the grades above reflect, the interior of the bears offensive line played well both protecting Cutler but also creating seams in the outside zone scheme running attack for Jordan Howard and Jeremy Langford. Left tackle Mike Adams struggled to protect Jay Cutler and ultimately the Bears failed to have offensive success throughout the game after a nice start.
Top defensive grades:
CB Bryce Callahan, 87.2
LB Jerrell Freeman, 87.1
ED Leonard Floyd, 83
DT Akiem Hicks, 82.9
ED Sam Acho, 81
Defense gives Bears opportunity to win
Though far from a perfect effort from the Bears defense, there were bright spots that gave the Bears' offense chances to win the game. Up front Akiem Hicks was fantastic in run defense and rushing the passer. Hicks had a hit and three hurries to disrupt the Giants offense. Leonard Floyd had five hurries in his effort to get to Manning. Jerrell caused havoc from the linebacker position with four tackles and three stops in run defense while allowing two receptions for 21 yards on three targets covering the pass. Bears CB Bryce Callahan was targeted seven times yielding four receptions for 23 yards.
PFF Game-Ball Winner: Giants S Landon Collins
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