Giants.com's John Schmeelk breaks down two key plays in the Giants' goal-line stand vs. the Seahawks:
The best series of plays for the Giants on Sunday undoubtedly came during the first half when Seattle had 12 plays inside the 20-yard line but failed to score a touchdown. A roughing the passer penalty and defensive pass interference gave the Seahawks what seemed like endless opportunities to get the ball in the end zone, but the Giants defense managed to hold.
Here are two of the plays, both spearheaded by Damon Harrison, who is playing at an All-Pro level once again.
Play 1
Presnap
This is the 7th play of the series, and the Seahawks have it 2nd and goal at the two yard line. All 253 pounds of running back Eddie Lacy is in the backfield with three tight ends and the offensive line in front of him (13 personnel). The Giants go big, too, with six defensive linemen on the field to go along with two linebackers, two safeties and just one cornerback to match up with the Seahawks lone wide receiver. Damon Harrison is lined up between backup rookie center Ethan Pocic and guard Oday Aboushi.
Penetration
Despite lining up off the left shoulder of Aboushi, Harrison swims past his right side and immediately gets penetration. The Seahawks also fail to get any linemen to the second level to block either Devon Kennard or B.J. Goodson. Eddie Lacy has nowhere to go.
Tackle
With the linebackers closing in, Lacy tried to split the defenders, but Harrison wraps him up and slings him to the ground for a three-yard loss at the five-yard line. Unfortunately, on the following play B.J. Goodson commits a defensive pass interference penalty that resets the down and distance from the 1-yard line.
Play 2
Presnap
The Seahawks lose a yard on a pass in the flat on first down, and then throw an incomplete pass, giving them a 3rd and goal from the two-yard line. They spread the Giants out and go to 11 personnel with Thomas Rawls in the backfield next to Russell Wilson. The Giants are in their nickel defense with Landon Collins joining Keenan Robinson, B.J. Goodson and the Giants' four defensive linemen in the box. Damon Harrison is shading center Ethan Pocic's right shoulder.
Controlling the Lineman
Look at how Damon Harrison has his arms extended and hands inside on center Ethan Pocic. He now has complete control of Pocic and you'll see how he uses it in the next picture. The Seahawks are doubling Dalvin Tomlinson here, which is where Rawls is trying to run the ball. Rookie Avery Moss is being blocked by Jimmy Graham at right end.
Moving the lineman
You see here that Harrison has moved the center to the left and has a clear look at the running back. Rawls is trying to get behind #63 Mark Glowinski, who has separated from Tomlinson and is trying to find a block on the second level. Avery Moss has won his battle with Jimmy Graham and gotten inside of him, giving him a clean look at Rawls as well.
The Wall
The Giants have played this so well you can't even see Thomas Rawls behind Harrison, Tomlinson and Moss. Moss gets the initial hit on Rawls here.
The Tackle
Even with Moss getting the initial hit, he goes to the ground along with Tomlinson and Keenan Robinson. If not for Harrison wrapping up Rawls here and tossing him to the ground short of the goal line, he might have been able to fall forward into the end zone over the fallen defensive linemen. The Seahawks would fail on 4th down when Jimmy Graham dropped a back shoulder fade and the Seahawks would come away with no points.
