Giants 37, Cardinals 29

Manning leads Giants in desert again, this time taking down Cards

Associated Press - From NFL.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Eli Manning insists he never flashed back to his previous game in Glendale. Everyone who watched him Sunday must have.

Manning threw for three touchdowns in his return to the scene of his Super Bowl MVP performance and the New York Giants beat Arizona 37-29 to snap the Cardinals' seven-game home winning streak.

"It's just a totally different feel, it's just a different time," Manning said. "You never really compared it to the last time we were here. We knew we'd have a tough contest with Arizona."

Defensive end Justin Tuck, though, admitted to "a little deja vu."

"Once you got back out here, you see the field and this stadium looking like a space ship, you start to think about that night and how it felt," he said.

With starting running back Brandon Jacobs out with a knee injury, the Giants took to the air to win their sixth in a row. Manning completed 26 of 33 for 240 yards with no interceptions as the Giants moved to 10-1, tied for the best record in the NFL.

"He just continues to do whatever has to be done to win a game," New York coach Tom Coughlin said.

Kurt Warner, under fierce pressure most of the afternoon, was 32-for-52 for 351 yards and a touchdown for Arizona (7-4). He was intercepted once and fumbled once, both leading to Giants touchdowns.

"They're a good defense and we matched up with them very well and went toe to toe with them for 60 minutes," Warner said. "Of course, you never want to go away a loser and that part is disappointing. I think you leave from this game and move ahead. If we eliminate some of the mistakes we can play with anybody in the league."

Besides the turnovers, the Cardinals allowed two long kickoff returns to set up scores.
"Whenever you can put our offense in that type of field position, it's a great thing," Tuck said, "especially with the weapons that we have."

On the field where they upset New England in last season's Super Bowl, the Giants (10-1) took the lead late in the first half and never relinquished it.

"That's a well-coached football team with a tremendous amount of depth that doesn't make many mistakes," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "To me that was the key today. We just made too many mistakes."

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29700&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2008&week=REG12&override=true

Giants 30, Ravens 10

Ravens unable to stop Giants' fierce rushing attack
Associated Press - From NFL.com

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants needed only two plays to show they could run the ball against Ray Lewis and the NFL's stingiest rushing defense.

Of course, the one that set the stage was a busted play.

Brandon Jacobs set up the first of his two short touchdown runs by bouncing to the outside for a tone-setting 36-yard ramble and the Giants (9-1) amassed more than 200 yards rushing for the third straight game in a 30-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

"You tell me," Jacobs said when asked if his run down the left sideline set the tone for the game. "I think it did right away. The guys knew right away we could run the ball on these guys. It's not impossible."

Running against the Ravens (6-4) had been impossible for everyone else for the first nine games. They led the league, yielding an average of 65.4 yards, and no individual had rushed for 100 yards in any of the past 28 games against them.

Jacobs might have gotten there had he not tweaked a knee in the first half. He finished with 73 yards on 11 carries, but he had only two carries after halftime.

The one that will be remembered came on the second play from scrimmage. Jacobs took a handoff toward the right guard and found the hole stacked with four Ravens. So he improvised. He reversed to the left and outrun the backside containment and went down the sideline.

Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce called the play a game changer.

"It showed them that they could run the ball," Pryce said. "When you do that against our defense, you have some confidence. It makes things easier. The way it happened was a fluke when we had him, but he bounced and went all the way to the other side. You don't think that a big back can run that fast, but he does."

The Giants finished with 207 yards rushing against a defense that had not given up more than 76 yards to any opponent this season. The last time an opponent got more than 100 yards was Seattle, which ran for 144 on Dec. 23, 2007.

"They have a great defense, a great front, great linebackers with a lot of experience," Giants offensive tackle David Diehl said. "You watch film and you see teams get frustrated by only making 2 or 3 yards or getting tackled for a loss. The great thing is, we just stuck to our game plan. We knew that if we just kept pounding away that eventually they were going to crack."

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29681&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2008&week=REG11

Giants 36, Eagles 31

Giants solidify hold on NFC East with win at Philadelphia

Associated Press - from NFL.com

PHILADELPHIA -- If there was any doubt the New York Giants rule the NFC East, the Super Bowl champions erased it Sunday night.
Eli Manning threw two touchdown passes,

Brandon Jacobs had two TD runs and the Giants held on to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 36-31 and further distance themselves from the pack in the NFL's toughest division.

The Eagles had the ball at their own 45 with 1:55 left, but Brian Westbrook was stopped by Chase Blackburn on fourth-and-1.

"It was exhilarating," Blackburn said of the clinching tackle.

The Giants (8-1) are two games ahead of the Washington Redskins and three in front of the Eagles (5-4) and Dallas Cowboys. New York is 3-0 against its division rivals, but has only one other win against an opponent with a winning record.

"It's great to win here," coach Tom Coughlin said. "It reinforces everything we believe about team, supporting each other and finding a way to win the game."

Two close calls went in their favor in the second half.

Jacobs lost the ball at the goal line on his 2-yard TD run that made it 36-24. The Eagles challenged, but officials upheld the play.

The Giants went ahead 27-24 two plays after a reversed call gave them a first down at the Eagles' 3. Manning's 17-yard pass to Kevin Boss on third-and-10 was initially ruled illegal because he appeared to release the ball from beyond the line of scrimmage. Replays showed Manning's back foot was behind the line, and Jacobs ran in from the 3 for the go-ahead score.

"I think the way the rule is written, it was worth taking a shot at it," said Manning, who urged Coughlin to challenge the call. "If you have one toe on the line of scrimmage, then it's a legal pass. I thought it was worth the risk."

The Eagles were surprised the play was overturned.

"I don't know what they were looking at," defensive tackle Mike Patterson said.

Donovan McNabb had three TD passes for the Eagles, but the Giants shut down Westbrook.
McNabb's 2-yard TD toss to Kevin Curtis on fourth down cut it to 36-31 with 5:30 left.

The defense stopped the Giants on the ensuing possession and the Eagles took over at their 14 with 3:14 and one timeout remaining. But they couldn't put together a winning drive.

Westbrook was stuffed on two straight plays after McNabb's 7-yard scramble set up a third-and-3 near midfield. McNabb didn't seem to agree with the playcalling on Philadelphia's final two plays.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29670&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2008&week=REG10

Hail To The Chief!!!

BAMBINO: Well, the American people have spoken. President Elect Obama was not my choice but I will support him and give him the benefit of the doubt. I refuse to do what the unwashed Kool-Aid left did to George W. Bush. My love for my country means more to me than my dislike for one man.

Barack Obama is a unique story in American history and he is to be respected, although I already hear Sean Hannity ripping him apart. I love Hannity but his sour grapes are a little too much to bear. Obama ran a supberb campaign and beat John McCain fair and square. He is my president and stand behind him until he proves to me otherwise.

God Bless America!!!!

Election 2008

BAMBINO: Well, after 2 years of hyperbole and political rhetoric, we will cast our votes. One of these gentlemen pictured will lead our great nation. I prefer it to be John McCain (I voted for him this morning). I am a conservative and believe that Senator McCain comes close to the values that I hold dear. Barack Obama is the antithesis of a conservative, but I do believe if he is elected, he will govern from the center and not the left.

Other races that I am interested in is for the 13th Congressional District of NY. This is the only Republican district in New York City and was held since 1997 by disgraced House Member Vito Fosella. I was a long time supporter of Mr. Fossella but his conduct in the end was unacceptable. Robert Straniere is running in his place for the GOP against heavily funded Democratic NY City Councilman Michael McMahon. McMahon is a conservative democrat and a gentleman, but he endorsed Senator Obama for president and is towing the DNC line. Based on that, I cannot vote for him.

My wife and I will be tuning in to FOX News around 8pm to watch the returns. It should be fun.

McCain/Palin 2008

Giants 35, Cowboys 14

Giants seize control early, drop Cowboys to last place in NFC East

Associated Press - From NFL.com

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Halfway through the season, it's safe to say the Super Bowl champion New York Giants are the team to beat in the NFC, and the injury ravaged Dallas Cowboys -- the preseason favorite -- will need to make a run after their bye just to make the postseason.

Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes, Brandon Jacobs rushed for 117 yards and a score and the Giants defense took advantage of the continued absence of the injured Tony Romo to intercept three passes in a 35-14 victory on Sunday.

"When a football team comes in here and it is kind of depleted as far as injuries go, you don't want to give them any sunlight," said Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. "You don't want to give them any light whatsoever."

In winning their five straight at home, the Giants (7-1) were in control from start in opening a three-game lead over the defending NFC East champion Cowboys (5-4) in the division.

"It was important for us to win the game and be 2-0 in our division," Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "When we were 4-0, somebody asked me about an undefeated season. I just think about being undefeated in our division. That's 6-0. That's the most important record to us. This is another step toward that."

The loss was the third in four games for Dallas, which fell into last place in the division behind Washington (6-2) and Philadelphia (5-3), not something anyone expected from the team many considered the favorite to win the NFC.

However, nobody expected the Cowboys to lose Romo for three games with a broken pinkie or to have safety Roy Williams and punter Mat McBriar lost to season-ending injuries.

"We still have seven games left and we need to go on a run," Cowboys linebacker Bradie James said.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones smiled when asked if the goal was to simply make the playoffs.

"If you give me the playoffs and not worry about the division, I'll take it," Jones said after the game, adding the return of Romo after the bye will only fix one of the many things wrong with his team.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29653&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2008&week=REG9&override=true

Brazilian GP: Massa Wins Race but Hamilton Wins Title by One Point in Frantic Finish at Interlagos!!!!

BAMBINO: Wow, what a finish to another great F1 season. Lewis Hamilton avoided disaster by passing Timo Glock on the final turn to finish 5th thus securing the Driver's Championship. Hamilton, on Intermediates in the drizzle, was passed by Vettel, also on Intermediates, and was in 6th going into the final few turns. Felipe Massa already won the race and thought he had won the Championship, but Timo Glock, running on slicks, could not hold off Lewis across the finish line. A heartbreak for Massa and Ferrari, but jubilation and triumph for Lewis Hamilton and McLaren.

I myself do not like Hamilton because he drives for McLaren. With that said, I think he is a fabulous driver and a deserved World Champion. I tip my Ferrari cap to him on his Driver's Title. Well done Chap!

Ferrari did win the Constructor's Championship, but clearly they were feeling the blues over not winning the Driver's Title. I am sure they will rue the engine failure of Massa's F2008 in Hungary on the penultimate lap and the fuel rig mishap in Singapore. Those were valuable points lost. Oh well, that's racing. All in all, it was a great race and a great season. Congrats again to Lewis Hamilton and McLaren.

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/081102195327.shtml