New York Giants defence declaws Chicago Bears offence
Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck recorded three sacks apiece as the Giants defence got to Bears quarterback Jay Cutler nine times en route to a 17-3 win.
First half
The Chicago Bears offence, which had been led by an impressive start to the season by Jay Cutler, could get absolutely nothing going on Sunday as deficiencies in their offensive line were exposed by a
pumped up Giants defence who tore through for nine sacks in the first half. Cutler, who had been so impressive through his first three starts, had to leave the game late in the second quarter with a concussion on sack number nine when he was brought down on
a blitz by cornerback Aaron Ross.
The Giants went into half time leading 3-0 in a first half which was highlighted by miscues and turnovers partially caused by some foul weather at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
Second Half
With 38-year-old veteran quarterback Todd Collins filling in for the injured Cutler, the Bears were unable to get any offence going. To further compound their offensive woes, Collins was himself hurt in
the fourth quarter and was replaced by third stringer Caleb Hanie.
The Giants managed to control the game along the ground and got touchdowns from each of their top two rushers, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, which sealed the win for the Giants.
What it all means
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin had been criticized recently for his team's rocky start and it had been rumoured he could be on the way out. Sunday night's victory against the Bears could have helped to
silence some of Coughlin's critics.
Of course, he has his defence largely to thank for last night's victory with their impressive performance. Giants quarterback Eli Manning was also quick to point out the important role which the Giants
defence played in last night's game.
"It's fun to watch our defense when they are doing that," he said. "When they get the sacks, it gets the crowd fired up. They set the tempo early on in the game, played outstanding. We had to help them
out sometime and we did a decent job."
The Giants victory put an end to the Bears unlikely 3-0 start to the season. With the Pittsburgh Steelers also losing their first game of the season to division rivals the Baltimore Ravens, it means that
the Kansas City Chiefs, who were on their bye week Sunday, remain the only undefeated team in the NFL.
The extent of the injury to Cutler is unknown and time will tell if he'll be under centre next week when the Bears take on the Carolina Panthers. The Giants travel to Houston next week to take on the Texans.
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