The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put eight in the box to stop Brandon Jacobs and let the New York Giants know that Eli Manning would have to win the game for them. There was just one problem with that strategy: Eli Manning won the game for them.Manning completed 20 of 27 passes for 185 yards and 2 TDs to lead the New York Giants to a 24-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a date with NFC East rivals Dallas next Sunday. Along the way, he got some help from some expected and unexpected sources.
Expected? The Giants' pass rush. The defense adjusted after the Bucs scored a touchdown on their opening drive, and while it only registered one sack, it harassed Jeff Garcia and disrupted his timing all afternoon. Joey Galloway hurting his shoulder didn't help, as that took away the Bucs' only deep threat.
Unexpected? How about cornerback Corey Webster, who was pushed into starting duty after Sam Madison suffered a rib injury last week? Webster not only played well in pass coverage, but he figured prominently in two Bucs' turnovers in the third quarter, recovering Michael Spurlock's fumble on the opening kickoff and intercepting Garcia in the end zone.
What a wild game in Seattle. If you are just looking at the 35-14 win for the Seahawks and assume it was a blowout ... you'd kinda be right. The stats won't prove it (Washington outgained and held a huge margin of time of possession), but it was evident on the field.
