Paired up against wide receiver Victor Cruz for most of the game, Oakland’s veteran cornerback responded with his best game of the season and picked up a touchdown along the way when he intercepted an Eli Manning pass and took it to the house.
The Raiders’ entire secondary played better, a week after getting torched by Philadelphia’s Nick Foles for seven touchdown throws.
Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner, figured to be a much more difficult challenge for Oakland’s defensive backfield because of his comfort level with Cruz. Even as Manning has struggled this season, he has always been able to count on Cruz to bail him out.
Porter, who has been the Raiders’ most consistent player in the secondary this season, made certain it didn’t happen this time.
Cruz was held to three catches for 37 yards and was shut out of the end zone. Only two of the catches came against Porter. The third occurred in the second half when safety Brandian Ross was in coverage.
Not that Manning didn’t try to get the ball to his favorite target. Ten of Manning’s 22 pass attempts were plays designed for Cruz, the most on either team.
Porter, who lined up against Cruz both on the outside and in the slot, limited the damage with blanket-tight coverage most of the game.
On the one play where Cruz could have really done some damage, the veteran wide receiver beat Porter on a quick slant pattern inside the 5-yard line but dropped the pass from Manning, who appeared to lead Cruz just a little too much with the throw. New York scored two plays later when Rueben Randle caught a short touchdown pass.
The Giants were on the move the following drive when Porter stepped in f...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
