Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from yesterday’s shootout in New Orleans where the Saints topped the Giants 52-49.
New York Giants
– QB Eli Manning had the first six-touchdown game of his career in what was a pretty good showing overall. However, his two fumbles, which he was fortunate to either recover or have nullified by a penalty, brought down his grade from where it could have been. One interesting stat of the day: Manning was 5-for-6 for 120 yards and three touchdowns on passes targeted 10-plus yards downfield between the numbers. On passes 10-plus yards outside the numbers, Manning was 0-for-6.
– In a game that featured very little defense, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie earned one of his better coverage grades of the season. While allowing four catches for 31 yards might not be all that impressive, Rodgers-Cromartie forced both Saints turnovers with his interception in the third quarter and the big hit that led to a fumble for the Giants’ final score of the game.
– While the Giants offensive line was not charged with allowing a sack, they are still allowing too much pressure to reach Eli Manning. Tackles Ereck Flowers and Marshall Newhouse earned -2.3 and -2.4 pass block grades, respectively, and allowed a combined ten hurries on Sunday. The pair now rank in the bottom seven in pass blocking out of 78 qualifying offensive tackle.
Top performers:
DE Robert Ayers (+4.6)
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (+2.8)
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (+2.3)
QB Eli Manning (+1.3)
HB Rashad Jennings (+1.3)
New Orleans Saints
– It was a historic day for QB Drew Brees as he tied the NFL’s single-game passing touchdown record with seven thrown. Brees was flawless when he had time to throw and was not pressured, completing 34 of 40 passes for 469 yards, six touchdowns and a 155.1 passer rating. Interestingly, he was just 6 of 10 for 42 yards and a 63.3 passer rating when pressured, but the Giants just couldn’t disrupt Brees often enough. The Giants’ 20 percent pressure rate was the second-lowest of the week.
– DE Cameron Jordan continued his outstanding season with his second-highest grade of the season at +6.4. He failed to bring Eli Manning down for a sack, but he did register eight pressures with most of them happening quick into the play.
– In contrast, CB Brandon Browner continues to struggle this year. He was penalized another four times yesterday, bringing his season total up to a league-leading 14 in eight games. Browner now ranks last in our cornerback rankings out of 173 players with a 30.1 rating. Teammate CB Delvin Breaux had his worst game in coverage this year. Tasked with primarily covering Odell Beckham Jr., Breaux allowed nine receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns for a -2.0 coverage grade.
Top performers:
DE Cameron Jordan (+6.4)
DT Kevin Williams (+4.2)
RG Jahri Evans (+3.8)
QB Drew Brees (+3.7)
FS Jairus Byrd (+2.4)
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