We should've seen this one coming.
The New York Giants spent their bye week getting healthy while hearing plenty of chatter they were on a downward slide. With the rolling Green Bay Packers coming to town, panic in Gotham was one bad game away.
But here's the thing about Big Blue in the Tom Coughlin/Eli Manning era: These are the times -- when doubt creeps into the public dialogue -- the Giants always seem to rise to the challenge. They did it again Sunday night, delivering a 38-10 whooping of the Packers that sent a loud message to the rest of the NFC.
You won't read too much about Manning and his supposedly tired arm after this one. Manning looked much more like himself, completing 16 of 30 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. Manning now has 200 career touchdown passes, moving him past Phil Simms for the most in franchise history. Elite or not, Phil must be impressed.
While the offense roared back to life, the Giants' pass rush made a statement of its own. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times and rarely had a clean pocket to work from. As the Giants proved in their first Super Bowl win over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, a supreme pass rush can neutralize even the greatest quarterback. They proved that again Sunday.
With the win, the 7-4 Giants hold a two-game edge over the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins in the NFC East. The schedule ahead isn't easy, but this team shouldn't be doubted.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
