Giants win over the Dolphins 36-20

"Don't get me wrong. I love Daniel Jones, but it was great to see Eli Manning out there on the field. When you think about Green Bay, the first thing that pops into your mind is Aaron Rodgers. It's the same thing with Drew Brees and the Saints, and Eli Manning and the Giants. It just sits well when you mind turns to football. Sure, things come to an end, like Andrew Luck and the Colts, and before long Manning will be gone as well.
Today Miami started off the game with a missed field goal, and later scored a touchdown in the second quarter on a pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to DeVante Parker. Manning came right back when he hit Golden Tate with a pass that was deflected by a Miami player. Tate made a sensational grab, and took it all the way in for 51-yard touchdown.
Later, Manning didn't look that good when he threw an interception that gave the Dolphins good field position, and this time their field goal was good. Manning threw another interception trying to get something going with six seconds left, and that ended the half with Miami holding a 10-7 lead.
Manning got the Giants into the lead on the first drive of the second quarter with a 5 yard touchdown pass to Darius Slayton. Next, the Giants defense had Fitzpatrick scrambling, and they caused him to fumble at the Dolphins 24 yard line. That opportunity was blown when Manning threw another interception. Another Dolphins field goal had them trailing now by just one point, 14-13.
The next time Miami had the ball, they were down by their goal line thanks to a nice punt from Riley Dixon, and safety Sam Beal tackled their ball carrier for a safety. The Giants then went on to score 3 touchdowns with two runs by Saquon Barkley and one by Javorius Allen, before allowing the Dolphins another score. That was right after the two minute warning with the Giants holding a 36-20 lead. After the kickoff, the Giants began to kneel on the ball while the Dolphins used their timeouts, and Pat Shurmur took Manning off the field.
The crowd started chanting 'Eli Manning, Eli Manning, and they showed him on the big screen waving to the crowd. Shurmur took a Giants timeout before punting the ball back to Miami so the festivities could continue. When the Dolphins got the ball back, they ran a play to kill the clock, and then joined in on what looks to be a Manning farewell. Like all the fans, I feel really good after watching this game. It's too bad some good things have to come to an end."

"Eli Manning can bring out the best in some players, certainly Sterling Shepard as he seems to share a special connection. Shepard's 9 receptions today were more than he has had all season long, and just one short of his career high 10 last year. Manning is still shaking off some rust from his long layoff. He had two touchdown passes, but did throw three interceptions. One was a hopeful last play of the second half, but the other two were curious.
Manning's only played in two games with Golden Tate. Last week Tate caught only one, the same as he did today, but this was a big 51-yard touchdown catch. Darius Slayton finished with 2 receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Saquon Barkley had 24 carries for 112 yards, and 2 touchdowns, and also caught 4 passes for 31 yards, for a total of 143 scrimmage yards. It was the first time he's run for over 100 yards since the first two games, which he also played with Manning at the helm. Barkley also scored 2 touchdowns for the first time this year.
The Giants defense which was without Janoris Jenkins, who was waived earlier in the week, played well, even coming up with a safety in this game. They let Ryan Fitzpatrick run on them twice for long first downs, but they sacked him 3 times, once causing him to fumble. Even with that, they held the Dolphins to 3 of 13 on third downs.
Eli Manning seemed to elevate the team and brings home a Giants win, which is something that was a long time coming for fans, players and the entire organization. Pat Shurmur pulled him on the Giants final drive, and Alex Tanney got his first chance to come in to a regular season game, though it was just for mop up duties.
Shurmur has said that Daniel Jones is the starter and he will play when ready, but it will be interesting to see how things play out in the final two games, the first in Washington, and the final one with the Eagles at home in MetLife Stadium."

Giants have scored their highest total of the season with this 36-20 win over Miami.

Giants had 3 rushing touchdowns for the first time since 2011.

Giants Eli Manning evened his record as a regular season starter to 117-117.

[Back to Team Giants] Click on the Team Giants logo to be informed of all Giants game previews, reviews and off season football news. Stop in and visit "Mike's Keys to the Internet" at  MikesKeys.com