OFFENSE
Eli Manning (20 of 39, 250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) struggled early and threw a brutal interception — his first in 103 passes — but came up big on not one, but two key late TD drives. He’s cool-hand Eli. Brandon Jacobs (18-72, 1 TD) came up big in first start of season. Victor Cruz (6-91) and especially TE Jake Ballard (4-67) were big. B+
DEFENSE
Dominated for three quarters, putting heat on Tom Brady, getting interceptions by Mathias Kiwanuka and Deon Grant. Pass rush (sacks by Michael Boley and Jason Pierre-Paul) wasn’t there late and looked as if Boley getting beat by Rob Gronkowski would be the game-winning TD. B
SPECIAL TEAMS
Steve Weatherford’s eight punts (five inside the 20) were dreamy, but Aaron Ross fumbling away a punt was a Giants-sized nightmare. Rookies Tyler Sash and Spencer Paysinger combined to force a turnover on punt coverage. Muffed punt hurts grade. B
COACHING
Tom Coughlin brought an injury-depleted team into Gillette Stadium, playing without Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw and the Giants found a way to win. Credit Coughlin for instilling a toughness and resolve to get the Giants to do what they couldn’t do often enough last season: finish. A