Tim Hightower

On the offensive side of the ball, newcomers Jabar Gaffney and Tim Hightower didn’t disappoint either. Gaffney has quickly fit right in as the number two receiver, catching three passes for 54 yards including a late-game touchdown to seal the win.

The going was a bit tougher for Hightower on the ground, but he ended up with 97 total yards and a touchdown while missing just two offensive snaps. Frequently facing an eight-man front, Hightower kept New York honest enough to allow Rex Grossman to throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns.

Expectations are high after a terrific preseason and though Hightower felt he wasn’t at his best, it’s already clear he’s a significant upgrade at running back.

“It’s frustrating, man,” Hightower said of running against the Giants. “[You start] to second-guess yourself like ‘Is it me? Am I not running right? Am I not running hard? It’s one of those games where you just got to grind it out.

“The O-line did a great job, the receivers did an excellent job and the defense bailed us out,” he added. “It was frustrating a little bit for me personally. I want to be contributing to this team a little bit more from the standpoint of I feel like they’re counting on me, but that’s what team ball is about – guys stepped up today and that’s what we needed.”