Rookie's Breakthrough Leads Giants to Playoffs

Ahmad Bradshaw is an unlikely hero: He stepped up when the Giants needed him most on Sunday, got Big Blue into the postseason, and showed that he deserves to be a big part of New York's offense once the playoffs start.

Bradshaw entered Sunday's 38–21 win over the Buffalo Bills as a rookie kick returner with only six career carries to his credit. But he made the most of an increased opportunity on offense, exploding for 17 carries and 151 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown — the third-longest run in Giants franchise history — that sealed the win and a wild card berth.

The Giants chose Bradshaw in the seventh round of this year's draft in the hopes that his speed would make him a contributor on special teams, but it's clear that he can do much more than that. In Buffalo, Bradshaw showed power on his runs and an ability, one which few rookies possess, to read the opposing defense.

Bradshaw saw increased playing time against Buffalo because starting running back Brandon Jacobs was banged up. But Jacobs still spent enough time on the field to carry 24 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Between the two of them, Jacobs and Bradshaw will give the Giants a very good 1–2 running punch in the playoffs.

They'll need that running game if they're going to win in January, because the passing game is still a mess. Quarterback Eli Manning had another subpar outing, completing just seven of 15 passes for 111 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. On a rainy and snowy day in Buffalo, Manning also fumbled five times, leading to the question of whether he'll be capable of performing if the Giants play in the elements in January. But Manning is hardly the only problem with the Giants' passing game, as dropped passes are still plaguing the offense. The biggest drop Sunday came courtesy of rookie wide receiver Steve Smith, when Manning threw a beautiful pass that traveled 50 yards in the air and landed directly into Smith's hands. It should have been a touchdown, but Smith dropped it.

If there's any good news for the Giants' passing game heading into the playoffs, it's that wide receiver Amani Toomer — who will be called upon to get an increased share of the workload with tight end Jeremy Shockey out — had a big game in Buffalo. Toomer caught five of the six passes Manning threw to him, for 99 yards. A week after turning in a horrible effort against the Washington Redskins, Toomer was the Giants' passing game on Sunday against the Bills. He dove for balls, tiptoed near the sideline for completions, and generally looked like the only player on the field who wasn't affected by the weather.

The biggest questions surrounding the Giants are on offense, as the defense is playing well. Linebacker Kawika Mitchell intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter in Buffalo, and Corey Webster added another interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Now that they're in the playoffs, the next question facing the Giants is whether they will rest their key players for Saturday's regular season finale against the New England Patriots in an effort to be healthy when the playoffs start. No matter what happens against New England, the Giants will open the playoffs by traveling to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Against either opponent, the Giants will be the underdogs. But Big Blue is a playoff team again, and Bradshaw has emerged as a new offensive weapon at just the right time.

Mr. Smith is a writer for FootballOutsiders.com.