GIANT REPORT CARD

QUARTERBACKS: B

Shame on anyone who saw fit to write off Eli Manning (16 of 23, 182, 2 TDs, 1 INT) after four miserable starts. Teammates said he was much more self-assured.

RUNNING BACKS: B-

Things closed down after halftime for Tiki Barber (18-76, 1 TD), who got just six yards in second half. Also caught five passes for 38 yards and made some crunching blitz pickups.

WIDE RECEIVERS: C

Ike Hilliard (3-34) came within one yard of notching the first TD for the starting WRs. Amani Toomer (2-34) finally awakened in the fourth quarter.

TIGHT ENDS: B-

The second catch of the season for Marcellus Rivers became his first TD. Jeremy Shockey (3-13) played harder than the results showed.

OFFENSIVE LINE: B

No sacks allowed for first time all season. Good running lanes early, nothing late. Tripping penalties on Jason Whittle and Wayne Lucier.

DEFENSIVE LINE: C-

Bright future ahead for Osi Umenyiora, who had one sack, 13 tack les and a huge impact. Not much push up front and line found it hard to deal with Jerome Bettis (36-140).

LINEBACKERS: D

Nick Greisen had 15 tackles and one sack, but there was no production in the middle from Kevin Lewis (three tackles).

SECONDARY: D

Hines Ward (9-134) frolicked and Antwaan Randle El (5-149, 1 TD) freelanced like kids in the park. Gaping holes in pathetic zone “coverage.” Interceptions by Frank Walker and Brent Alexander were only redeeming feature.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A

Lost in the losing streak is the dramatic turnaround in kickoff returns. Willie Ponder had a 91-yarder for a TD and set up two more TDs.

KICKING GAME: B

Steve Christie hit a 22-yard FG but did not exactly boom kickoffs. Nothing out of the ordinary from Jeff Feagles (34.7 net punting).

COACHING: C+

What took Tom Coughlin so long to simplify things for Manning? Isn’t it the coach’s job to put his players in the best possible position? Team showed spirit, though.