First Look: New York Giants

Record: 6-4
Streak: Won 1
Series vs. Denver: Giants, 5-4
Last time: Giants, 24-23, 2005
The Line: Giants by 6.5

Who’s hot: WR Mario Manningham. The second-year wideout had several crucial catches in the Giants’ big win against the Falcons Sunday, none more impressive than his 29-yard grab in overtime that put the Giants in field goal range. He “flashed his great athleticism on a number of key catches, including a 27-yard reception along the sideline on a third-and-one to keep (a fourth quarter) drive alive.” [New York Times] He finished the day with whopping numbers (six catches, 126 yards, 21.0 avg.).

Who’s not: Giants pass defense. The Giants were protecting a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter when the defense’s wheels came off, and all of New York uttered in unison, “Here we go again.” Matt Ryan converted back-to-back third and longs in the first of these two touchdown drives, capped with a four-yard toss to Eric Weems that put the Falcons within a score. He finished the game-tying drive with an 11-yard strike to Tony Gonzalez, going 14 of 19 in the two drives that included 10 straight completions. The drives ate up 9:21 off the clock, left the Giants with only 28 seconds in regulation, and left everyone wondering whether the Giants wouldn’t have dropped their fifth straight if they hadn’t won the overtime coin toss.

Matchup to watch: TE Kevin Boss vs. Broncos DB’s. This matchup will be of particular importance in the red zone, as Boss has become one of Eli Manning‘s favorite targets in scoring range. Boss had two touchdowns against Atlanta, and he’s scored four in the past three games after being shut out of the red zone in his first six games this season.