Giants Embarrassed in Indianapolis: Shadows of the Giants’ ugly finish to 2009 reappeared in Indianapolis Sunday night when the Giants were beaten badly by the Colts 38-14.
The Colts received the ball to start the game, drove 80 yards in 12 plays, went up 7-0, and never looked back. By halftime, the score was 24-0. At the end of the 3rd quarter is was 31-7.
After the opening scoring drive, the Colts actually went three-and-out twice. But then came a killer 8-play, 98-yard affair that resulted in a 50-yard touchdown to TE Dallas Clark of the Colts. The Colts’ final two drives of the first half resulted in 10 points.
Meanwhile, the Giants couldn’t get anything going offensively in the first half as the Giants were limited to 69 total net yards and 5 first downs. The Giants’ started with two three-and-outs of their own and turned over the football twice, one an interception by QB Eli Manning and the other a fumble by Manning as he was sacked. Pass protection, especially by offensive tackles David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie was dreadful throughout the game as Manning was sacked four times, hit six times, and hurried on many other occasions.
The Giants did scored on their opening drive of the second half, with WR Mario Manningham catching a 54-yard touchdown pass from Manning. The Giants’ defense forced a punt, but the game was effectively ended when Manning was sacked again, fumbled the ball, and the loose pigskin was recovered for a touchdown by the Colts.
Game, set, match. Both teams traded 4th quarter touchdowns, but the game was decided well before that.
Lowlights of the game are available at NFL.com.
Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were TE Kevin Boss (concussion), WR Ramses Barden, WR Duke Calhoun, OT William Beatty (foot), DT Rocky Bernard, DT Linval Joseph, LB Chase Blackburn (knee), and LB Phillip Dillard (hamstring).