Eli Manning audibled out of run play on Giants’ final series

But the big one still eludes these maddening Giants, who keep saying they’re better than their 5-5 record, even though they keep failing to prove it. They have thrown away four games in the fourth quarter now, all in agonizing fashion.

“With Danny Amendola catching a pass from Tom Brady on the final offensive snap of the game, he falls down to save clock to allow the team to set up and kick the FG which would win the game”. As good as the Pats are, Edelman would be a significant loss.

Under those definitions, then, Beckham did not become a runner and so Butler’s strip, despite coming after both of Beckham’s feet had landed in bounds while the ball was secured, rendered the pass incomplete.

But because of one kick, albeit a long one and a late one, this Patriots team had a lot of other people step up, including Danny Amendola, Malcolm Butler and Rob Ninkovich, to name a few, that established themselves even more than they ever had before.

Patriots’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski made a 54-yard field goal with one second remaining. As per usual, the Giants gave the Patriots all they could handle, but this time, New England was able to keep it together and come away with the victory.

Either way, with less reliable options behind Lafell and Amendola – such as Aaron Dobson and Keshawn Martin – expect them to each have the opportunity for double-digit receptions in most games, where Amendola has the edge in PPR leagues, and Lafell has the it in standard ones (due to advantage in the red zone compared to Amendola’s). Safety Landon Collins appeared to make the game-winning interception, but could not hold onto the ball as he hit the ground.

On the first drive of the game, the Patriots drove down the field with no difficulty.

Instead of a touchdown that would have put the Giants up 30-23, the Giants had to settle for a field goal after failing to convert on 2nd and 3rd downs. Linebacker Jasper Brinkley played his second consecutive standout game at middle linebacker.

Odell Beckham Jr. has been all the hype this season with his spectacular one-handed catches that he seems to make effortlessly. This season, he already has 639 yards to his name along with seven touchdowns. NY coach Tom Coughlin knew how to expose the Pats defense, and he didn’t waste any time. The Giants fell to 5-5 on the season, though they still sit in first place in the NFC East.

“Just looking at it, it’s kind of the way the rule is making the football move, especially in the end zone”, Manning said, “You’ve got to have it the whole time, and so I wasn’t surprised after seeing the replay”. “I’m very disappointed…the guys practiced hard, they worked hard, they wanted it badly, they prepared well, they battled out on the field…frustrating loss”.

If you’re a Patriots fan (and who isn’t, in our front-running culture?), this is just more proof that your team and season are charmed beyond logic.

The Patriots will have an extra day to get things right before an important division game against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, which could essentially wrap up the division for them. The win did not come without its costly losses, however.

The Patriots hope to have Edelman back by the playoffs, but until then, they have a tall task in front of them. “The game plan is the game plan”, Belichick said. “We can’t draw up 20 new plays because something happens”.