Patriots Report Card: Eli Manning Out-Bradys Tom Brady While Pats Defense Collapses in Loss to Giants

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Nov 7, 2011

Patriots Report Card: Eli Manning Out-Bradys Tom Brady While Pats Defense Collapses in Loss to GiantsFOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots have some work to do to avoid their first three-game losing streak in nine years, and they’ve got to do it quickly with the Jets on the horizon.

Here’s how the Patriots graded out after Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Giants.

OFFENSE

Jeff Howe: C

Tom Brady had three turnovers, and two of them resulted in 10 points for the Giants. The other one was in New York territory.

What grade would you give the Patriots offense against the Giants?

DEFENSE

Jeff Howe: C

They made some unfathomably impressive improvements since losing to the Steelers, but it was all for naught after surrendering two touchdown drives — of 85 and 80 yards, respectively — in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

What grade would you give the Patriots defense against the Giants?

SPECIAL TEAMS

Jeff Howe: D-

Rob Ninkovich‘s fumble recovery saved them from a failing grade. Julian Edelman coughed up a punt. The kick return unit was awful, with an average starting position on the 19-yard line after four kickoffs (excluding the penalized kick when the Giants kicked off from their own 20). And Stephen Gostkowski missed a short field goal at the end of the first half.

What grade would you give the Patriots special teams against the Giants?

COACHING

Jeff Howe: B

This wasn’t on the coaching staff. Actually, Bill Belichick deserves credit for changing up the defensive scheme, which worked well for most of the game. And the coaching staff didn’t turn the ball over four times.

What grade would you give the Patriots coaching against the Giants?

GIANTS

Jeff Howe: A-

The Giants kept the Patriots off the scoreboard in the first half, and Eli Manning answered Brady twice in the fourth quarter, throwing a pair of touchdown passes in the final 3:03.

What grade would you give the Giants?

GAME MVP

Jeff Howe: Wes Welker

He had nine receptions (on 10 targets) for 136 yards and was, for whatever reason, the only receiver Brady could hit with any regularity.

UNSUNG HERO

Jeff Howe: Brandon Deaderick

The defensive line played another tremendous game, and Deaderick was very good at defensive end in place of Shaun Ellis. Don’t be surprised if Deaderick keeps that starting job going forward.

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