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Tuesday Stats Review
Giants 9-2 at home since start of '05 season; Defense clamping down during win streak.
By Michael Eisen, Giants.com

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October 31, 2006

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -Any NFL team that has serious playoff aspirations has to win its home games. The standard math used by many coaches is a 6-2 record at home and a 4-4 mark on the road will result in a 10-6 mark that is good enough in most seasons to earn a playoff invitation.

In 2005, the Giants were .500 away from home. But they were one better than the customary theory in Giants Stadium, where they were 7-1. The resulting 11-5 record was good enough to win the NFC East. Since the start of the 2005 season, the Giants are 9-2 at home.

The Giants' only home loss last season was to Minnesota on Nov. 13, a 24-21 decision in which the Vikings became the first team in NFL history to score on a kickoff return, punt return and interception return in the same game. The Giants rebounded to close their home schedule with victories over Philadelphia, Dallas and Kansas City.

This season, Giants opened their season with a loss at home to the still-undefeated Indianapolis Colts. But in their last two games in Giants Stadium, they have provided evidence that they will again be a dominant team at home.

On Oct. 8, they manhandled the Washington Redskins, 19-3. After winning games in Atlanta and Dallas, the Giants came home Sunday to defeat Tampa Bay, 17-3. A look at their opponents' offensive statistics demonstrates the one-sided nature of the games.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the six combined points is the fewest allowed by the Giants in consecutive home games since Nov. 1 and 8, 1959, when they defeated Green Bay (20-3) and the Chicago Cardinals (9-3). This is the first time the Giants did not surrender a touchdown in each of two consecutive home games since Nov. 11 and 25, 1979, when they defeated Atlanta (24-3) and Washington (14-6).

Indianapolis rushed for 55 yards in the season opener, so in home games this year Giants opponents have averaged 57.7 yards a game on the ground. The last time the Giants allowed less than 80 rushing yards in three straight home games in a single season was Sept. 14-Oct. 27, 1986, when they did it four games in a row against San Diego (41), New Orleans (65), Philadelphia (59) and Washington (32).

In other statistical areas, the Giants defense is duplicating what it accomplished last year. The last time they allowed no more than 338 total yards or 20 first downs in consecutive home games, was Oct. 30-Nov. 13, 2005 when the Redskins and Vikings combined for 262 yards and 18 first downs.

The last time the Giants allowed no more than 118 total rushing yards in consecutive home games? Nov. 13-20, 2005, when Minnesota and Philadelphia combined for 118 (12 by the Vikings).

This week, the Houston Texans will invade Giants Stadium with an offense that is ranked 22nd in the NFL and tied for 27th in rushing yardage. If the Giants defense continues to play this well at home, they Texans will not improve those rankings while visiting New Jersey.

 The Giants have allowed 42 points in their four-game winning streak. The last time the Giants allowed so few points in a four-game span was Sept. 19-Oct. 10, 2004, when Washington, Cleveland, Green Bay and Cleveland combined for 41 points.

 The Giants and Buccaneers combined for 18 punts on Sunday (nine by each team). It was the most punts in a Giants game since Sept. 12, 1999, when there were 20. The opponents were the Buccaneers.

 The Tampa Bay game was Eli Manning's 30th NFL start. Here are the 30-game records of the three quarterback-playing Mannings in the NFL:

Archie: 7-20-3
Peyton: 15-15
Eli: 17-13

 Tiki Barber totaled 88 yards from scrimmage Sunday (68 rushing, 20 receiving). That increased his career total to 14,462 and enabled him to move past Hall of Famer Franco Harris (14,407) and into 15th place on the NFL's all-time list.

 Barber has 2,045 rushing attempts and 557 receptions - 2,602 touches from scrimmage. That places him fifth among active players:

Curtis Martin               4,002
Marshall Faulk            3,603
Edgerrin James          2,756
Corey Dillon                2,732  
Tiki Barber                   2,602

Barber continues to lead the NFL in rushing with 715 yards, 59 more than San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson. He is also first in the NFC and third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 957 (56 more than Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook, whose team has played one more game). Finally, Barber is tied with Kansas City's Larry Johson for the league lead with 50 first downs.

 Jeff Feagles' 336 punting yards vs. Tampa Bay increased his career total to 61,115. Feagles is the first player in history with 61,000 punting yards. Former Giant Sean Landeta is second with 60,707.

 Sunday's victory was Tom Coughlin's 90th in the regular season. He is the 37th head coach in history with at least 90 career wins.

 Two Giants hold NFL single-game highs in major statistical categories. Barber's 185 rushing yards at Atlanta on Oct. 15 is the most by a player this season. And Amani Toomer's 12 receptions in Philadelphia on Sept. 17 are ties him with Arizona's Anquan Boldin for the league's one-game best.