Ah, here we are, the last weekly Pro Football Focus review of the 2014 season. The Giants end with a whimper, losing a 36-24 battle against the hated Philadelphia Eagles. It was a meaningless game when it came to post-season possibilities as both teams were out, but it still hurt a little inside.
Let's take a look at how we did:
A Fitting End (Offensive MVP)
Odell Beckham Jr. (+3.5) - Who else could it be? Who else should it be? A case can be made for Rueben Randle for specifically this week, but there's something poetic about Odell Beckham getting the honors for the last week of the season. We'll have more on this in our PFF season ending review, but Beckham did not have a single game below +0.5 this season, and graded out green five times in 12 games, which is awesome.
The Core Remained Strong (Key Offensive Contributors)
Will Beatty (+2.9) - Another fitting end for a qualified individual. Will Beatty has had a terrific season and he ends it on a high note here. He had one bad holding penalty but only allowed one QB hit, and one QB hurry all game while grading out best in run blocking. Well deserved and a key piece moving on to next year.
Rueben Randle (+2.4) - The much-maligned Randle had his second consecutive dare I say dominant game, beating double coverage and stretching the field like the Giants had hoped he could when they drafted him. Perhaps Beckham has sparked something in Randle. Maybe Randle figured out that he was in trouble. Whatever the case is, I damn sure hope it continues next year.
Justin Pugh (+2.1) - A much better game against Connor Barwin than last game. He allowed onlythree QB hurries this time around and has solidified himself at that right tackle spot if the Giants choose not to move him to guard.
Just When I Thought You Were Okay (Offensive GOAT)
J.D. Walton (-5.3) - Oof. A terrible grade in the penalty section (he had two) as well as not being able to move Bennie Logan off the ball in run blocking makes this one of his worst grades of the season. I'm still not sure how he returns as the starting center for the team next year.
Inconsistency Strikes Again (Offensive Villains)
Eli Manning (-3.4) - Eli was inaccurate this week. He consistently made bad decisions to throw into double and triple coverage and often times his mechanics broke down and he threw off his back foot. Sometimes, there was pressure, but the majority of the times, there was not. He was not pressured on 42 out of his 53 drop backs and completed only 19 passes. That's not good.
Preston Parker (-1.5) - Sometimes he's really good, sometimes he's invisible. Was invisible today with two catches on 5 targets for 20 yards. Just a "blah" showing.
Rise Up, Young Beezer (Defensive MVP)
Mark Herzlich (+3.9) - I think this year marked a new record in terms of linebackers with positive grades in recent memory. Certainly not the first (or second) time a "Beezer" made Defensive MVP of the week. Herzlich had a good overall game, as he notched a sack and was tremendous in the run game, making four stops. I like him as a key reserve at SAM. Please, no more MIKE.
Gonna Get Paid Soon (Key Defensive Contributor)
Jason Pierre-Paul (+3.4) - This was no scrub he was playing against. By all accounts, Jason Peters was healthy and JPP smacked him around to the tune of two sacks and four additional hurries as he amassed a +2.9 pass rush grade against the All Pro offensive tackle. You wish he'd show this dominance on a more routine basis, but he's going to get PAID this year.
Not Gonna Get Paid Soon (Defensive GOAT)
Antrel Rolle (-4.8) - Not much left to say. Missed tackles, blown coverages, frustration all around. This was just the bow on a horrific contract year for Rolle. It might be time to part ways with the long-time leader.
The Young, The Old, and The Plain Ol' Bad (Defensive Villains)
Kerry Wynn (-3.4) and Damontre Moore (-2.0) - Very similar games according to PFF. Only reason Wynn's is worse is because he played more snaps than Moore. Beaten badly in run defense, the pair of promising young defensive ends managed to get only 2 QB hurries combined on Mark Sanchez.
Jameel McClain (-3.0) - Actually had a positive score in coverage, mostly for that awesome pass defensed in the end zone. So why is his grade so bad? A nightmarish game in run defense. I'd have to watch the game over again to confirm, but I can't really see how PFF would be wrong here, considering the team got gashed up the middle of the field.
Chykie Brown (-1.7) - Not helpful in run support, not terrific in coverage, and two costly penalties will not help your grade out. He's giving us reasons why the Baltimore Ravens cut him earlier this year after showing up well earlier on.
Mike Patterson (-1.3) - It's just time, mate. It's time to call it a Giants career. You were very good the past couple years, but this year was just "bleh." Blanked on the pass rush sheet, and didn't do anything in run defense.
What's next: Stay tuned for our Pro Football Focus Year in Review!