It wasn’t pretty, but the New York Giants won their fifth straight game on Sunday when they defeated the Chicago Bears 22-16 at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants have made it a habit this season winning close games. All of their victories this season have been decided by seven points or less.As with all victories, today was a team effort, but a couple of players deserved game balls because of their performances.
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Landon Collins
For the fourth game in a row, safety Landon Collins had an interception. This one sealed the game with just 1:19 remaining. As has been the case during the Giants’ winning streak, when the defense has needed a big play, Collins has delivered. He also recorded six tackles and defended three passes. Right now there’s no safety in the league that’s playing better than him.
Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul had by far his best game of the season. He had 2.5 sacks, and one of those was a strip sack on the Bears’ final drive that pushed them back 14 yards. He also knocked down a pass and recorded five tackles. He is one of the main reasons the Giants shutout the Bears in the second half.
Eli Manning
Statistically, Eli Manning did not have a huge game. However, he was efficient and — more importantly — did not turn the ball over. He completed 22 out of 36 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. In a sequence in the fourth quarter, he ran for four yards to pick up a first down, and then on the next play scrambled to the right and connected with Victor Cruz for a 48-yard completion to the Bears’ 21-yard line. Three plays later, he connected with Sterling Shepard for what would be the game-winning touchdown.
Rashad Jennings
For the second week in a row, Jennings had a productive game running the football. He carried the ball 21 times for 85 yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 44 yards.
Eli Apple
Although most will remember Apple giving up a 35-yard completion to Marquess Wilson in the fourth quarter, Apple had a very good game besides that. He led the Giants in tackles with nine and recovered Dwayne Harris’ muffed punt at the Giants’ 31-yard line. Had the Bears been able to recover Harris’ fumble, it could have changed the momentum of the game.