Nov

25

Vikings Dominate Eli and the Giants at the Meadowlands 41-17

Posted by Matt Loede under Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants 

Minnesota Vikings safety Darren Sharper (42) crosses the goal line for a touchdown with New York Giants' Reuben Droughns, left, and Chris Snee in pursuit after Sharper intercepted a pass by Giants quarterback Eli Manning in the first quarter during NFL football action Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in East Rutherford, N.J.

 

A lot of people had been waiting for the usual New York Giants second half collapse.  For those that were calling for it, the start may have taken place at home on Sunday  vs. the Minnesota Vikings.  With Eli Manning playing possibly the worst games of his career, and the defense unable to get off the field, the Giants fell to the Vikings 41-17 in front of a rather stunned crowd at the Meadowlands.

The boo-birds were ringing by halftime, as the Vikings built a 24-7 lead with Manning throwing a pair of picks, one of which was brought back 20 yards by Darren Sharper for a touchdown.  It was the second time in his career that Sharper had returned a pick for a score against Manning.  The Vikings had already struck first against the Giants D as Tavaris Jackson hit wide out Sidney Rice for a 60-yard score on the second offensive play of the game.

New York drove down the field and responded with a 8 play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by Ruben Droughns  going over from a yard out to tie the game at 7.  Then Sharper picked off Manning to make it 14-7, and the Vikings added to the lead with Chester Taylor going over from 8 yards in the second quarter to make it 21-7, and Ryan Longwell added a 46-yard field goal to make it 24-7 at the half.  Things were not all that much better in the second half, as Dwight Smith took back Manning for another pick 6, this time 93 yards with just under 14 minutes left to make it 34-10.  The following drive it happened again, as Chad Greenway took back Eli’s fourth pick 37 yards to make it 41-10.

The Giants were outplayed by a team that they should have beaten.  They seemed flat after their 16-10 win over the Lions on the road a week ago, and now the talk shows will be loaded with calls calling for coach Tom Coughlin’s head, as well as talking about the poor play of Manning, who went 21-for-49 for 273 yards with 1 TD and four backbreaking picks.

It was a big win for the Vikings, who have now won two in a row to improve to a modest 5-6.  Jackson played well, going 10-for-12 for 129 yards and he also ran for 38 on 5 carries.  The team won their second straight without star back Adrian Peterson, who was held out despite being upgraded to questionable by the end of the week with his knee injury.

Next week the Giants, now at 7-4 will try to bounce back as they take on the Bears in Chicago.  The Vikings will look to get to .500 as they host the slumping Detroit Lions next Sunday at home.


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