New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin was disturbed by a number of things during Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. One big worry: His defense got pushed around.
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"It was soft, no question," Coughlin said Monday in reference to the middle of his defense, via The Star-Ledger. "It was soft early. We came back and played a little bit better, and then they had their breakout there at the end of the game."
Defensive lineman Justin Tuck didn't exactly disagree, saying Steelers backup running back Isaac Redman "mushed" the Giants. Antrel Rolle complained on WFAN-FM of letting a backup player like Isaac Redman have such a big game.
All the attention on the defense feels misplaced. The Giants' passing attack has had its worst three games of the season in successive weeks.
"Whatever you want to call it. We're not playing good football. That's what it is," Manning said Monday when asked if he was slumping.
"We haven't been playing our best football offensively the last few weeks. Tonight, it finally caught up with us," Manning told Bob Glauber of Newsday after the game.
This is a Giants team built around Manning's arm and his talented wide receivers. The defense needs to tackle better, but getting the offense turned around is even more important.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
