Five days until Christmas and Sunday’s NFC prime-time showdown will be a frozen fling-fest. Temperatures in New York will not be friendly to foes or footballers from home. Eli Manning and the Big Blue front five men will find a frigid Panthers defense.
Out on the west coast, Brett Favre has to find a way to win a game for the Jets. This is the fourth trip west for New York and each of the three previous games were losses. The Seattle Seahawks will try hard to hand the falling Jets their fourth failure on their coast.
All talk in New York this month has been centered on the free falling football teams. The Jets and Giants were headed on a collision course to the championship in February only a month ago. Both teams were on top of their respective divisions and only expected to excel from there. December delivered cold blows to not only residents but also to the football teams. The Jets are coming off a win against Buffalo they should have lost. If not for a blundering Dick Jauron coaching call late in the fourth quarter, the Jets would have walked out of the Meadowlands losers of three straight games. The Gang Green team who defeated the Patriots in Foxboro and the undefeated Titans in Tennessee has been transformed into a defensive-less, mistake-filled, Grinch green. And the New York Giants went down twice to division rivals the Eagles and Cowboys. The Giants are missing rumbling back, Brandon Jacobs, due to knee problems. The offensive line that once looked as solid as any in the league suddenly could not defend the likes of DeMarcus Ware and the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday night. Eli Manning ate turf eight times during the loss to Dallas. Are the New York teams caving or can they bounce back to finish the month on the up?
The Jets are sending seven players to the ProBowl in Hawaii, including Brett Favre. Kris Jenkins was the frontrunner for the team MVP during the first ten weeks of the season. No one is even looking his way now. He has been merely invisible. The entire Jets’ defense has been a non-effective no factor. Brett Favre is opening up the pass more often and making fewer mistakes, but it is not enough. Thomas Jones continues to run well and Eric Mangini needs to get him the ball on more plays. Sunday the Jets are playing in Seattle against one of the toughest teams to face on the road. In addition, the game is Seattle head coach, Mike Holgrem’s, final one. It will be an emotional afternoon when the Seahawks take the field, so the Jets need to limit mistakes and take the crowd out of the game early. Seattle has nothing to play for but will probably bask in playing the spoiler role. The Jets need to win the final two games. They control their own destiny. If they win out, they go to the playoffs as AFC East champions. A loss and a Miami win means the Jets will have to play the Dolphins for the division in week 17. If I were Eric Mangini, I wouldn’t even want that to be a possibility. Chad Pennington returning to New York to knock the Jets out of the playoffs would be the end of his tenure here.
The Giants are not in dire need of a win. However, beating Carolina at home this Sunday night would give them home field throughout the playoffs. It would also cool off the red hot Panthers and retrieve the confidence of the Giants fans. Brandon Jacobs is not 100 percent but he will play. The key to beating Carolina is controlling the line of scrimmage and their powerful dual running attack. Jonathan Stewart and Deangelo Williams are arguably the best backfield in the NFC. The Giants defense has the ability and talent to limit their breakaways. I am confident the Giants will get the job done, but look for a close game. The weather could be the x factor and advantageous to the Giants. The Panthers are not a very good road team either. In the NFL, home field advantage in the playoffs sometimes does not matter as much as getting “hot” at the right time. Right now, the Panthers are a hotter team. But I like the chances against a shaky Jake Delhomme calling plays. And I think the secondary is sufficient enough to cover the slick, Steve Smith at wide receiver.
How much difference a month makes! I am still trying to figure out how the Jets looked so poorly this month. Their weaknesses are glaring. Even if this team creeps into the playoffs, I can’t see them beating teams with strong-armed quarterbacks. The Jets will have to go through Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Jay Cutler or Kerry Collins. The Giants are definitely beatable, as Philadelphia and Dallas proved. The Cowboys are hot right now and a meeting in the post-season would be scary. The Giants need to run the ball or they will not be successful. If Brandon Jacobs is a no-go, Eli Manning needs to be crafty. He has the receivers at his disposal to make big plays but his frozen fingers might be a problem. He tends to fold under those circumstances. Manning must learn to throw the ball with more muscle.
Parting points: Shout-out to my father because tomorrow is his birthday. Happy birthday, dad, and a Happy winter to all.
Showing posts with label Giants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giants. Show all posts
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monster Mash
The elements are eerie and the task tall for the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at the Meadowlands. The spookiest scenario for America’s Team is Brad Johnson taking snaps. The Cowboys offense is going to have to wear their best masks in facing a monstrous Giants defense.
Dallas’ defense is doomed to deliver doubts when Eli Manning’s menacing offense waltzes their wicked weapons. The Cowboys are too beat up in the secondary and at running back, too inefficient on the offensive line and too inept at quarterback to defeat New York on the road. A Meadowlands mashing may be what the witch is brewing, and I do think the Giants’ defense will cast a spell on Dallas all game.
The Cowboys will play Sunday once again without their star quarterback, Tony Romo. Head Coach, Wade Phillips, is choosing backup Brad Johnson to take Romo’s place. He might be better off with Brooks Bollinger seeing how ancient Johnson looks out there. Also missing in action will be the flippant and frisky Felix Jones in the backfield. Marion Barber will have to carry the entire load against one of the NFC’s best defensive units. I cannot see him having much luck running the ball, even with the firm protection provided him. Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Anthony Henry, and safety Patrick Watkins all will not see time this week due to injury. Linebacker Anthony Spencer is also on the shelf, leaving a haunted front to defend against Eli Manning. Dallas has a very inexperienced secondary unit and I believe Plaxico Burress will find it a treat in tricking them. The one thing going for the young corners on Dallas is their speed. They showed they could hang with the Tampa Bay receivers last week and maybe they will simply go out there and play hard. Cowboys Tight End, Jason Whitten, has a cracked rib and can barely breathe. However, the Dallas Pro-Bowler insists he will suit up this week. Even with Whitten, the Cowboys are undermanned on offense. T.O. is always a threat to score touchdowns and make big plays. But, Brad Johnson has trouble throwing long passes and Owens does not run short routes successfully. The Giants’ pass rush is too dynamic to allow Johnson time to throw.
Justin Tuck has been the centerpiece of the New York defense. Tuck has emerged as a superstar and risen to a higher level quicker than I expected. The return of leader Antonio Pierce to the field only makes the Giants more beastly. Last week the entire line was effective enough to pressure the Steelers with the sack and force turnovers. Big Ben is a more mobile quarterback than Brad Johnson. The game was close. This one, the first heated rivalry between the two, will not be.
Parting points: Since when are there chocolate Skittles? I had no idea.
Dallas’ defense is doomed to deliver doubts when Eli Manning’s menacing offense waltzes their wicked weapons. The Cowboys are too beat up in the secondary and at running back, too inefficient on the offensive line and too inept at quarterback to defeat New York on the road. A Meadowlands mashing may be what the witch is brewing, and I do think the Giants’ defense will cast a spell on Dallas all game.
The Cowboys will play Sunday once again without their star quarterback, Tony Romo. Head Coach, Wade Phillips, is choosing backup Brad Johnson to take Romo’s place. He might be better off with Brooks Bollinger seeing how ancient Johnson looks out there. Also missing in action will be the flippant and frisky Felix Jones in the backfield. Marion Barber will have to carry the entire load against one of the NFC’s best defensive units. I cannot see him having much luck running the ball, even with the firm protection provided him. Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Anthony Henry, and safety Patrick Watkins all will not see time this week due to injury. Linebacker Anthony Spencer is also on the shelf, leaving a haunted front to defend against Eli Manning. Dallas has a very inexperienced secondary unit and I believe Plaxico Burress will find it a treat in tricking them. The one thing going for the young corners on Dallas is their speed. They showed they could hang with the Tampa Bay receivers last week and maybe they will simply go out there and play hard. Cowboys Tight End, Jason Whitten, has a cracked rib and can barely breathe. However, the Dallas Pro-Bowler insists he will suit up this week. Even with Whitten, the Cowboys are undermanned on offense. T.O. is always a threat to score touchdowns and make big plays. But, Brad Johnson has trouble throwing long passes and Owens does not run short routes successfully. The Giants’ pass rush is too dynamic to allow Johnson time to throw.
Justin Tuck has been the centerpiece of the New York defense. Tuck has emerged as a superstar and risen to a higher level quicker than I expected. The return of leader Antonio Pierce to the field only makes the Giants more beastly. Last week the entire line was effective enough to pressure the Steelers with the sack and force turnovers. Big Ben is a more mobile quarterback than Brad Johnson. The game was close. This one, the first heated rivalry between the two, will not be.
Parting points: Since when are there chocolate Skittles? I had no idea.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Cautious Coughlin Coaches in Cleveland
The 1-3 Cleveland Browns host an undefeated gnarly group of Giants Monday night in what should be another annihilation for New York. The obliterating offense led by lackadaisical Eli Manning has been strong, solid, sound and stable so far this short season. I am remaining cautiously optimistic about the Giants because they really haven’t faced a legitimate contending team outside of Washington.
The Browns have not scored more than 12 points against any of their opponents this year. Last week the team had a much-needed bye. Cleveland was winless after their first three games but those were against tougher teams. A 10-28 loss to Dallas in week one was understandable. The Browns were not expected to beat the Cowboys. They also were not anticipating attaining any sort of win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even with Big Ben hurt in week two, the Steelers prevailed, though it was slight. The 10-6 Pittsburgh win wasn’t really as close as it appears. In the third loss, the Ravens played as fair as the Browns during a week three 38-10 victory. Baltimore’s rookie, Joe Flaco, upstaged Cleveland’s Derek Anderson. He did throw three interceptions to Anderson’s two. The one touchdown thrown by Flaco flopped into the hands of Jerome Harrison for a 19 yard reception. Ed Reed’s 32 yard interception return for a touchdown put Baltimore in the driver’s seat and ended Anderson’s hopes of turning the game around in favor of the Browns.
Week four was the best of the bunch for the Browns. Talented receiver, Braylon Edwards, caught his first touchdown pass in the 20-12 victory over Cincinnati. The Bengals were penalized during the last Cleveland scoring drive when an interception was overturned. If not for that penalty, the Browns could be heading into the Giants’ game with zero wins on the year. Anderson did not have a great game against the Bengals at all. He only completed half of his passes (6 of 12) for 48 total yards. Kicker, Phil Dawson, has been the bright spot because he’s seen plenty of leg action so far. The Browns cannot seem to come up with big scoring drives, settling for three points on field goals. They also have not run the ball well. Jamal Lewis scored the team’s first rushing touchdown in week four. The Browns are 31st in points per game and 32nd in yards per game in the NFL. With Brady Quinn of Notre Dame fame waiting in the wings as backup to Anderson, we might see a change soon at quarterback. Romeo Crennel doesn’t have anything to lose by placing Quinn behind center. Most likely, he will not do any worse than Anderson, who had a terrific 2007 season. It appears to be only a fluke at this point.
The Giants come into Cleveland with high expectations. Tom Coughlin has his team headed in the right direction for sure. The schedule doesn’t get any easier after the next two weeks, heading into November however. Coughlin is a calm coach and knows how to keep his players in line. The Giants can’t look past these Browns. Even though tight end, Kellen Winslow, could be out for Monday night, wide receiver, Donte Stallworth, is probably going to make his season debut. If Anderson can get anything going against a tenacious Giants’ defense, they may have a chance. I can’t imagine New York losing in Cleveland. Eli Manning has clearly shown his capabilities and Brandon Jacobs is angry heading into the game already. Jacobs will come up big again this week. With Plaxico Burress’ return and the emergence of Steve Smith and Dominick Hixon as wideouts, look for a high scoring, high power offense on Monday night. Cleveland could be out of this game by halftime if the Giants’ defense forces the Browns to three and outs in the early part of the game. The Browns are having a disappointing season and I think it will only get worse as they are host to a national audience this week. This is hardly a statement game for New York, but if they win big, perhaps some of the doubters out there will remain silent.
Parting points: Backtrack of the day: Stone Temple Pilots’ “Interstate Love Song”. It’s one of the greatest driving songs.
The Browns have not scored more than 12 points against any of their opponents this year. Last week the team had a much-needed bye. Cleveland was winless after their first three games but those were against tougher teams. A 10-28 loss to Dallas in week one was understandable. The Browns were not expected to beat the Cowboys. They also were not anticipating attaining any sort of win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even with Big Ben hurt in week two, the Steelers prevailed, though it was slight. The 10-6 Pittsburgh win wasn’t really as close as it appears. In the third loss, the Ravens played as fair as the Browns during a week three 38-10 victory. Baltimore’s rookie, Joe Flaco, upstaged Cleveland’s Derek Anderson. He did throw three interceptions to Anderson’s two. The one touchdown thrown by Flaco flopped into the hands of Jerome Harrison for a 19 yard reception. Ed Reed’s 32 yard interception return for a touchdown put Baltimore in the driver’s seat and ended Anderson’s hopes of turning the game around in favor of the Browns.
Week four was the best of the bunch for the Browns. Talented receiver, Braylon Edwards, caught his first touchdown pass in the 20-12 victory over Cincinnati. The Bengals were penalized during the last Cleveland scoring drive when an interception was overturned. If not for that penalty, the Browns could be heading into the Giants’ game with zero wins on the year. Anderson did not have a great game against the Bengals at all. He only completed half of his passes (6 of 12) for 48 total yards. Kicker, Phil Dawson, has been the bright spot because he’s seen plenty of leg action so far. The Browns cannot seem to come up with big scoring drives, settling for three points on field goals. They also have not run the ball well. Jamal Lewis scored the team’s first rushing touchdown in week four. The Browns are 31st in points per game and 32nd in yards per game in the NFL. With Brady Quinn of Notre Dame fame waiting in the wings as backup to Anderson, we might see a change soon at quarterback. Romeo Crennel doesn’t have anything to lose by placing Quinn behind center. Most likely, he will not do any worse than Anderson, who had a terrific 2007 season. It appears to be only a fluke at this point.
The Giants come into Cleveland with high expectations. Tom Coughlin has his team headed in the right direction for sure. The schedule doesn’t get any easier after the next two weeks, heading into November however. Coughlin is a calm coach and knows how to keep his players in line. The Giants can’t look past these Browns. Even though tight end, Kellen Winslow, could be out for Monday night, wide receiver, Donte Stallworth, is probably going to make his season debut. If Anderson can get anything going against a tenacious Giants’ defense, they may have a chance. I can’t imagine New York losing in Cleveland. Eli Manning has clearly shown his capabilities and Brandon Jacobs is angry heading into the game already. Jacobs will come up big again this week. With Plaxico Burress’ return and the emergence of Steve Smith and Dominick Hixon as wideouts, look for a high scoring, high power offense on Monday night. Cleveland could be out of this game by halftime if the Giants’ defense forces the Browns to three and outs in the early part of the game. The Browns are having a disappointing season and I think it will only get worse as they are host to a national audience this week. This is hardly a statement game for New York, but if they win big, perhaps some of the doubters out there will remain silent.
Parting points: Backtrack of the day: Stone Temple Pilots’ “Interstate Love Song”. It’s one of the greatest driving songs.
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