There’s probably some perfectly fitting analogy for what happened on Sunday, but the Giants’ 9-7 season has been too mentally draining to come up with it.
We do know the Giants looked nearly perfect in their 42-7 dismantling of the Philadelphia Eagles. The problem is, a win like that only raised more questions than answers.
Where was that passion against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15? Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16?
How can a team be so good, so bad and so good again, seemingly every season?
Coach Tom Coughlin went looking for answers on Monday, but didn’t really come up with any.
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The Giants will evaluate their season for the next few weeks before turning the page and beginning on 2013.
Offense: A
The Giants out-gained, out-possessed and out-scored the Eagles, and in a lot of ways, their offense looked like the Falcons in Week 15 or the Ravens in Week 16.
QB Eli Manning tossed five touchdowns, RB Ahmad Bradshaw cracked 100 yards for the game and 1,000 yards for the season and rookies WR Rueben Randle and RB David Wilson combined for three touchdown receptions.
We even saw FB Henry Hynoski’s touchdown dance, which seemed to be him emulating a rhinoceros (he’s nicknamed “Hynoceros”). Previous game's grade: F
Defense: A
The defense also performed exceptionally well.
S Stevie Brown had a 48-yard interception return and finished tied for the team lead with six tackles.
Eagles RB LeSean McCoy had a big day (106 total yards),
but QB Michael Vick was contained (19 of 35 for 197 yards) and Philadelphia managed only 18 first downs, most of which came in the second half when the game was out of reach. Previous game's grade: F
Special teams: C+
CB Justin Tryon had a chance to recover the opening onside kick, but tried to advance the ball and ultimately coughed it up.
That was obviously a major mistake, but not one the team really paid for (Brown’s interception came soon thereafter).
K Lawrence Tynes didn’t have to attempt a field goal, P Steve Weatherford dropped both of his punts inside the 20-yard line and KR David Wilson was held in check on his only return of the day. Previous game's grade: C-
Coaching: A
The Giants were refocused on Sunday, which is a major positive for a coaching staff that should remain largely intact next season.
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell had to juggle formations, but the players seemed like they were on the same page whether they were in the base formation, sub package or any other look.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride had a lot of success moving Wilson and RB Ahmad Bradshaw in and out of the backfield (they combined for 182 yards and a touchdown) and there was finally some chemistry in the passing game. Previous game's grade: F
Follow the Giants and Alex Raskin @CBSGiants and @AlexRaskinNYC.