Grading the Giants

OFFENSE: B

For the first time this season, they had no turnovers. Eli Manning was solid (20-for-30, 177 yards, two TDs), and Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 133 yards on 19 carries (7.0 yards per), including a 45-yarder that set up the final Giants TD. It was the second time in three weeks he's posted the second-best rushing day of his career (he's yet to reach the 151 he had as a rookie in Buffalo). Brandon Jacobs is running like a well-rested bull. Travis Beckum has caught at least one pass in every game this season and finally got his first NFL TD.

DEFENSE: B

The Giants are focused on turnovers and that came in handy as Antrel Rolle sealed the win with his first pick as a Giant and Deon Grant had an even more important forced fumble and recovery that set up the team's final TD. Terrell Thomas had a difficult day, beaten for two TDs with a dropped interception. Osi Umenyiora had two more strip sacks, the only two of the game, one of them recovered by Justin Tuck.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C

You'd think the Giants would get an 'F' just on the basis of punter Matt Dodge dropping a snap on his first attempt - for the second time this year! - and fumbling it away to the Lions. But Dodge had a few very good punts, including one that, with a penalty, pinned the Lions at their own 11 for the final drive. Darius Reynaud showed a spark on returns for the first time this season. Special teams captain Chase Blackburn whiffed on a tackle that allowed a 58-yard kickoff return by Stefan Logan that set up Jason Hanson's field goal to make it 28-20.

COACHING: B

Tom Coughlin still couldn't bring himself to use the term "trap game." Still, he did a good job of drilling into his players' heads that the Lions aren't as bad as their reputation. Now he'll have to convince them that the Cowboys aren't as bad as their 1-4 record. That'll be an easier sell. Defensively, the Giants were focused on stopping the big plays, and but for one time, they succeeded.