by David ElfinThree games into the season and the New York Giants resembled the team that had crashed to a 3-8 record in their final 11 games of 2009. Four weeks later, it's a whole new ballgame. The Giants are enjoying their bye week not only leading the NFC East but tied with Atlanta for the conference's best record at 5-2.
What's gone right: Despite losing Mathias Kiwankua (four sacks in three games) for the season, New York's pass rush has returned to the form that made it so feared in 2007-08. The Giants have 24 sacks, 18 in the past four games including an astounding 10 against Chicago. Along the way, New York has kayoed five quarterbacks: Carolina's Matt Moore; Chicago's Jay Cutler and Todd Collins; Detroit's Shaun Hill and Dallas' Tony Romo. A year after finishing seventh in the NFC in total defense under since-dismissed coordinator Bill Sheridan, New York is first under replacement Perry Fewell. The Giants have forced 16 turnovers.
Ahmad Bradshaw has been terrific in his first year as the No. 1 running back, leading the league with 708 rushing yards while averaging 5.3 per carry. Former starter Brandon Jacobs finally accepted his second banana status and is averaging 4.9 per carry with five touchdowns. Receiver Hakeem Nicks is having a monster sophomore year ranking second in the league with 45 catches, an NFL-high eight for touchdowns. Steve Smith, who broke out in a big way in 2009, is right behind Nicks with 43 catches.
What's gone wrong: The special teams have been lousy. Darius Reynaud, acquired from Minnesota, is the NFC's worst return man, and will likely be replace by Will Blackmon after the bye. Rookie punter Matt Dodge has been very shaky which helps explains the awful punt coverage. Veteran kicker Lawrence Tynes is just 3-for-5 on field goal tries beyond 42 yards.
Quarterback Eli Manning is having a very weird season. He's tied for the NFL lead with 14 touchdown passes after throwing a career-high four against the Cowboys on Monday. However, Manning also leads the league with 11 interceptions, although an amazing seven of them have deflected off of his intended targets.
Not only is Kiwanuka done for the year, but center Shaun O'Hara (three), linebacker Keith Bulluck (three) and Tynes (one) have already missed games with injuries.
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