Giants gain confidence vs. Pats; Quinn's debut is solid

Brandon Jacobs rushed for 340 yards during the Giants' final three games this season. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

• The Giants effectively used an assortment of five-man zone dogs to get consistent pressure on Tom Brady in the pocket. Using a mixture of three-and four-man fronts, the Giants often overloaded a side to free up an interior rusher. And Steve Spagnuolo made the zone blitz more effective by featuring a soft two-deep shell behind the pressure. By opting to use two-deep coverage instead of the standard three-deep zone often used with zone blitzes, the Giants were able to take away the Patriots' sight adjustment (slant) while limiting deep ball opportunities to Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth on blitz beaters.

But credit the Patriots for adjusting to the scheme by calling more bubble screens to Wes Welker. By throwing quickly to Welker on an assortment of quick hitters, the Patriots took advantage of the space available in the cracks of the zone (two-deep zone blitzes feature a corner sitting outside with the slot covered by a dropping defensive end or linebacker) and got their return man the ball in the open field with multiple blockers leading the way.

• Despite the loss, the Giants' offense should enter the playoffs full of confidence buoyed by Eli Manning's strong performance against the Patriots' complex defense. Not only did Manning show good touch, accuracy and timing on his throws, he played with poise and confidence than he had displayed in over a month. With Brandon Jacobs running well and Plaxico Burress dominating on the perimeter, the Giants' offense has enough weapons to put up points on any defense when Manning is on his game.

• Josh Cribbs' 76-yard touchdown was the result of the 49ers' inexplicable decision to kick the ball between the hashes. By kicking the ball down the middle of the field, the 49ers gave Cribbs too much space to set up his return. And that added room allowed Cribbs to easily maneuver past the first wave of 49ers' tacklers. Most special teams coaches preach keeping the ball out of the middle of the field due to the danger of allowing a two-way go, so it is very surprising to see Andy Lee place the ball between the hashes when kicking to the Browns' Pro Bowl returner.

• While the Browns are the only team with a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers this season, the key to their success has been the surprising play of their offensive line. Since giving up six sacks in the opening game of the season, the Browns' front five (Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Hank Fraley, Ryan Tucker and Kevin Shaffer) have only allowed 13 since the debut and their ability to move defenders off the ball in the running game has rejuvenated Jamal Lewis' once-sagging career.

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