Giant & Cruz luck out in victory over Cardinals

GIANTS 31
CARDINALS 27

It seems that whenever the Giants travel to University of Phoenix Stadium they get a ridiculously crazy play that helps them win a game. A few years ago it was the helmet catch in the Super Bowl against the Patriots.

On Sunday the Giants had another zany play in this building when Victor Cruz caught a pass on a slant from Eli Manning, and, while advancing up field, he decided to drop to the ground in front of the Cardinals defenders. Arizona didn't tackle Cruz, and the wide out decided to let go of the football; the Cardinals insisted he had fumbled the ball, and the call should be challenged and given to Arizona; however, the NFL rulebook says that if a receiver gives himself up and falls to the ground, then he is by rule down on the play. Therefore no fumble, and the Giants had life.

This came at a crucial moment in the game with the Giants down 27-24. On the next play Manning hit Hakeem Nicks from 29 yards out for the go-ahead touchdown.

The Cruz play has drawn quite an uproar around the NFL, but it was pretty clear that Cruz gave himself up and fell to the ground; he did it by the book.

That being said, the play has taken away from an incredible Giants comeback. New York was down 20-10 heading into the fourth quarter and appeared like dead team walking, until Manning ignited a 21 point fourth quarter.

Brandon Jacobs 1 yard score cut the deficit to 20-17, but Arizona answered with a Beanie Wells touchdown to extend the lead back to ten. Manning then hit Jake Ballard from two yards out to cut the Cardinals lead to 27-24. Then the craziness happened.

Manning threw for 321 yards and two scores. He was unbelievable in the second half, and Big Blue won its second consecutive road game against a formidable opponent to improve to 3-1 on the season.