With their backs against the wall on Monday Night Football, the New York Giants finally finished a game to keep their playoff hopes alive. In the process, they knocked the embattled Miami Dolphins out of contention for the postseason. Eli Manning’s near-perfect game and a pair of Odell Beckham Jr. touchdowns gave the Giants just enough offense to overcome poor defensive play across the board. The superstars led the way, but the surprisingly strong play of the offensive line gives the Giants confidence as they make a run at the playoffs.

The O-line has been an area of concern for the Giants since the before the season began when would-be starting left tackle Will Beatty tore his pectoral muscle in an offseason workout program. Two weeks ago, the Giants placed starting right guard Geoff Schwartz on season-ending IR with a fracture in his left leg. All season, New York has been dealing with injuries to every position across the line, substituting guys like Dallas Reynolds and Bobby Hart into starting roles.

On Monday night, the patchwork offensive line put together a strong performance that allowed Manning and Beckham to shine. Just a week prior to the game, Ereck Flowers was on crutches yet he ended up toughing it out and starting the game. He went up against a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end in Olivier Vernon and kept him away from Manning for the entire first half. Justin Pugh subbed in for Flowers after he left injured in the fourth quarter and had a strong block on a third-and-short. Weston Richburg and Marshall Newhouse, who is typically a liability, both had solid games and Manning wasn’t sacked all night.

As a result of the offensive line’s solid play, the running game actually played a significant part in the offense. Rashad Jennings rushed 22 times for 81 yards, both season-highs. Having a serviceable running game is perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from Monday night’s game. The abandonment of the four-man rotation produced a relatively balanced offense, something the Giants have missed all year.

As the Giants push for a playoff berth, the offensive line has shown they can perform well enough to let the big-name weapons get their job done. That group has a tough task ahead in the undefeated Carolina Panthers next week. The Panthers have the third-most sacks in the league and that pressure has created the most interceptions in the NFL. While their work will be cut out for them, the offensive line has shown they have enough ability to get the Giants to the playoffs.

Christopher Schwarz is a New York Giants beat writer and NFL Coverage writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter.