Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the Giants 31-24 win over the Dolphins:
Miami Dolphins
– This game fit perfectly with Ryan Tannehill's (-0.8) up and down season so far, with the Dolphins signal caller making plenty of good throws, but plenty of poor ones too. Most notable was the four play stretch that saw him almost picked off on one play, and bounce back three plays later to drop the ball perfectly for wide receiver Kenny Stills on a long touchdown.
– Running back Lamar Miller (+2.2) impressed early in the game with two touchdowns in the first half, the second of which was one of the best runs we've seen this year as he cut and made defenders miss on his way to the end zone. It's puzzling that he saw so little of the ball after that, with the Dolphins leaning on an inconsistent passing game and giving backup Jay Ajayi (+1.5) his share of the carries. Miller forced two missed tackle and had 63 yards after contact on 12 attempts, and could have been the difference maker with more touches.
– A lot was made of Ndamukong Suh's (+6.2) absense late in the game, but once again he played the vast majority of the team's snaps. On the field for 60 of the 67 snaps the Dolphins defense faced, he was incredibly active against the run. He made right guard John Jerry's (-5.3) game an absolute nightmare, consistently standing him up at the point of attack and finishing the game with four tackles resulting in a defensive stop.
Top performers:
DT Ndamukong Suh (+6.2)
DE Derrick Shelby (+3.8)
DE Olivier Vernon (+2.6)
LB Koa Misi (+2.0)
CB Brice McCain (+1.7)
New York Giants
– In a game that they needed to win to keep pace in the NFC East, quarterback Eli Manning (+4.8) was fantastic. Displaying excellent accuracy throughout, Manning had just two incompletions all game, including going a perfect 7-for-7 for 190 yards and two touchdowns on throws 10 yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage. The Giants quick passing game tore the Dolphins defense to shreds, with Manning at the helm.
– Continuing a remarkable comeback story, Jason Pierre-Paul (+2.6) once again had a fantastic game as a pass rusher for the Giants. On the field for 59 of their 70 defensive snaps, Pierre-Paul made life miserable for Dolphins right tackle Jason Fox (-3.6), finishing the game with a hit and four hurries. With the Giants still pushing for a place in the post season, they'll need him to continue to bring pressure off the edge.
– If there was a concern for the Giants, it was on the offensive line. Left tackle Ereck Flowers (-3.6) struggled to contain defensive end Olivier Vernon (+2.6), while right guard John Jerry (-5.3) was no match for Ndamukong Suh. The Giants offense leaned heavily on quick passes, but they still allowed three hits and hour hurries, something they'll need to tighten up in the rest of the month if they are to make the playoffs.
Top performers:
QB Eli Manning (+4.8)
C Weston Richburg (+2.9)
DE Jason Pierre-Paul (+2.6)
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (+2.4)
LB Jasper Brinkley (+2.0)
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