A Victory

At one point during the Monday Night matchup between the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings television announcer Mike Tirico commented that the game had the feel of a preseason game.  After all the Vikings were starting newly acquired Josh Freeman at quarterback.  And the Giants were playing with a patched up offensive line and fifth and sixth string running backs.  The result was one of the worst games of the NFL season.

The Vikings were unable to score a single point against the Giants last ranked scoring defense.  Had it not been for an 86 yard punt return against the Giants special teams the Vikings would have been shut out.  Freemen was horrible throwing the ball, which he attempted 53 times.  Many of his passes were nowhere near his target. 

As for the Giants, the best that can be said is that they were able to keep Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s premiere running back, to just 28 yards.   Although the Giants defense did not give up any points it probably was more a result of the ineptitude of the Viking quarterback than the dominance of the defense.

Offensively the Giants showed some flashes of improvement but the line still could not open holes for the running backs nor could they adequately protect Eli Manning.  Wide receivers dropping passes and untimely fumbles continue to derail any continuity in the Giants attack.  

For the Giants it was a victory, their first.  Whether or not they can parlay it into more wins still remains in doubt…