Saints paddle Giants 30-7 and clinch a first-round bye
The New York Giants struck quickly as they scored on a 4-play, 67 yard drive due to an Eli Manning 55-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress. But that was about all the offensive firepower they were able to muster against a stingy Saints defense last Sunday.After scoring the first time they had the football, the Saints put up 30 unanswered points to a totally demoralized Giants football team.
The Saints defense set the tone of the day holding the Giants to just 142 yards total offense and the G-Men were unable to convert any of their 10 third down conversions in the Saints 30-7 mauling of the Giants.
Early on the Saints offense struggled due to 8 dropped passes in the first half, but the Saints offensive line and ground game took control of the game in the second half.
Rookie Reggie Bush rushed for a career-high 126 yards on 20 carries and 1 score (his first 100-yard rushing effort for the season) and Deuce McAllister rushed for 108 yards on 27 carries and he also scored on one rushing attempt.
Deuce eclipsed the 1000-yard rushing mark for 2006 in the second half and this was the fourth time in his career he has broken the 1,000 rushing barrier in a season.
Former St. James High School and LSU standout cornerback Corey Webster, now a starting cornerback with the Giants, said that the Saints rushing attack of McAllister and Bush were the difference in the blowout.
“We just didn’t play well in any phase of the game, but we really didn’t have an answer to their running game,” Webster said. “Reggie (Bush) is everything they billed him to be coming out of college and as usual Deuce was a load to handle once he gets cranked up. It was a rough day at the office for us today. Their offensive line did a great job today.”
The Saints now (10-5) are just one win away from clinching a first round bye in the playoffs and quarterback Drew Brees was ecstatic with the total team effort.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment considering everything that happened last year and the heavy turnover of players and coaches in the off-season,” Brees said. “It’s just amazing what we have accomplished this season, but when you have a good group of people and they come together for a purpose anything can happen in this league.”
The Saints defense was really the story Sunday as they constantly put heat on Giants quarterback Eli Manning holding him to just 74 yards passing and they also held in check Giants All-Pro halfback Tiki Barber to just 71 yards rushing in his final appearance in the Meadowlands
All I can say is that it is amazing to watch this group of football players suited up in the black and gold. For most Saints fans a (10-5) mark, a division title and a possible bye in the first round of the playoffs was just a little too much to ask of old Saint Nick in the summer.
Thanks Santa, all Saints fans are very appreciative of the football gifts bestowed upon us.
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