Giant Football Blog

All signs point to a Giants win

From the Giants' three-game losing streak, to their bickering with each other and with the media, to Tony Romo's brilliant run as the Cowboys' starter, this all adds up to as big a lock as there is in the NFL: The Cowboys will clobber the Giants on Sunday at Giants Stadium. Or so it would seem. The Giants can't get out of their own way on the field, they're feuding with each other and with the media in the wake of Michael Strahan's choice of words about Plaxico Burress, and Dallas has won three out of its last four to take a one-game lead over the Giants in the NFC East. So how else are you supposed to figure Sunday's huge divisional game? Here's how else you're supposed to figure it: The Giants will win.

In fact, I'm so convinced that the NFL's reverse logic - sort of like George Costanza's theory that doing everything opposite is the best on "Seinfeld" - will work in the Giants' favor, that I'm making them my best bet this weekend. I've seen too many of these supposed can't-miss situations, where one team is coming in red hot and the other is all screwed up both on and off the field, to fall into the trap that this game creates. Continue

Tiki talk just won't quit

As amazing as some of his touchdown runs have been, Tiki Barber has now done the impossible. It's Giants-Cowboys week and he's taken the spotlight away from Terrell Owens. Word that this could be Barber's last season went from old news to bombshell in one day once the running back shifted from "leaning" to "for all intents and purposes, this is it." And as a result, it was the Giants who were answering questions about possible distractions yesterday.

For the record, Barber vehemently disputed the suggestion that his pending retirement would take away his teammates' focus as they head into Big D for an important Monday night game with T.O. and the Boys. Continue

Giants - 3 over Cardinals

Giants should handle a Cardinals team that has Kurt "Happy feet" Warner as their starting QB. Giants will cause enough turnovers to win comfortably. I don't expect too much from Eli, lets see if there are enough balls to go around for Shockey, Burress,Toomer, and Tiki. Giants win 20-13.

Giants can't hang with Steelers

Giants have no chance in winning this game. Steelers will dominate on both sides of the ball. Steelers Will pound the Giants into submission with Bettis. Eli will be confused by a top rated Steelers defense. Kurt Warner may get some playing time but it is not definite. I don't expect the Steelers to run it up on the Giants on national TV. This is not only a bad spot for Eli, but an embarrassing one for the Giants organization as well. There will be more Steelers fans than Giants fans and louder cheers when the Steelers make a big play. San Diego is sitting pretty, watching the Giants No.1 draft pick getting more and more valuable as each game passes. Its hard to believe the Steelers were 6-10 last year. It is not hard to believe that the Giants were 4-12. Steelers win 24-7.

Giants have little hope vs Ravens

These ain't the Ravens who beat up on the Giants 34-7 in the Super Bowl. The key is they don't have to be to beat this Giants team.Giants are so banged up on both sides of the line, that they can only hope to keep this close. Manning has come in to face some tough defenses(Atlanta,Philly,Washington) and it does not get any easier.Ravens will stack the line and dare Manning to throw the ball. Giant's receivers have not been kind to Eli and I doubt they will step it up against this secondary. Ravens win 34-10.

Giants will lose an ugly one in D.C.

This is a brutal game, only a real fan would even consider watching it. I remember thinking in early September how strong the NFC east could be with all the big name coaches in it. (Gibbs,Parcells,Coughlin) I was wrong, at least for this season. Giants should beat the Skins on talent alone, but they don't utilize their talent anyway. Toomer seems to be a shell of his former self, and Shockey drops as many as he catches. Giants and Skins both have absoulutely no offense. Giants have scored 16 points at home the last 2 games. Redskins have scored 13.

Redskins do have a solid defense and may be able to confuse Manning. This Manning was 6-21 vs Eagles last week.( 2 ints) The only reason why I am picking Washington is because they are home and the Giants defense is so banged up. This could be the official end of the Giants playoff limp. Redskins win 16-10.

Giants outclassed by Eagles

Giants best friend today might be the weather. Consistent rain might keep Philly more conserative and the scoring down. Giants defense has played surprisingly well as of late. Eagles will blitz the hell out of Eli, but in a low scoring game the Giants will have a punchers chance. Giants lose another close one 20-14.

Falcons will continue winning streak vs Giants

Giants face the 7-2 Falcons , who have won 2 in a row after getting crushed by the Chiefs 56-10 at arrowhead. Falcons are facing a beat up Giants team and a shiny new QB in Eli Manning. Manning makes his debut at Giants stadium against an aggressive defense. Falcons have 27 sacks on the year, behind only 3 teams tied for first with 28. Atlanta is stout vs the run giving up only 95 yards per game , 4th in the league overall. Giants will be in trouble if they can't establish the run, all the pressure will be on Manning. This game will come down to the offensive line once again for the Giants. O'Hara is listed as questionable, but according to WFAN Wayne Lucier will get the start. Giants and Manning have too much to overcome, Falcons win easily 27-13.

Arizona Too Hot For These Giants

Giants are in for a long day in Arizona. This big blue team looks a lot like the Giant team that folded last year under Jim Fassel. Giants have a banged up offensive line and have lost both starting DEs for the year. Cardinal's have a serviceable QB with a still effective Emmit Smith and some highly talented wide-outs in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Cardinal's numbers are much better at home. They have only had 3 home games vs 5 away games.

This game is more about the Giants imploding than the Cardinals playing well. Tiki is going to have to carry the show, If Warner has to put this team on his back than the Giants are done. Warner has been low key by design, but he still has made some crucial mistakes that have lead to bad losses vs Detroit and Chicago. Tiki can't do it by himself. Cardinals win 23-17.

Giants Will Bag These Bears

Giants are no strangers to losing vs weak competition at home. (See Falcons last year.) I thought Coughlin would affect change on this team so that they would not lose after a bye week. They lost. However, I can not see how they can lose this game. The Giants face Craig Krenzel who is filling in for an injured Rex Grossman. Truth be known Krenzel (Rookie) was not a great college QB, but He did win a national championship with Ohio state. Chicago is very banged up .Thomas Jones, their top rusher, is listed as doubtful. Bears defense is giving up only 17 pts per game. Giants are still very conservative on offense considering their talent level. This should make for a relatively close game. Giants win 20-13.

Giants Will Rise To The Occasion vs Vikings

I expect the Giants to bounce back vs a slightly overrated Vikings team. The scariest challenge for the Giants is Culpepper with his 19 TDs and only 3 ints. He had 2 TDs and 2 ints in last years lost vs the Giants (29-17). Giants will need those turnovers and more to win this game. Moss is expected to play more than He did vs the Titans. Coughlin will right this ship and have them ready to play. It was a tough week of practice after the embarrassing loss to the Lions last week. Giants will have to overcome the probable loss of O'Hara and a possibly a limited Toomer. Strahan will be able to pressure Culpepper. We will see much better line play than We did vs Lions. Giants need to have an effective running game and long drives. Ball control will help shift the odds into the Giants favor. Giants win 30-27.

Giants Will Tame Lions

The Lions are 3-2 and have done a nice job so far this year. The Giants are 4-1, but are coming off a bye week where they have been 1-6 under coach Fassel and 3-12 overall. Bad spot for the Giants? No. The Lions are dead last in total offense and 29th in total defense. Lions do not have any healthy playmakers on offense. Eddie Drummond has been getting a lot of press this week because of his prowess in kick returns, I am confident the Giants will be able to contain him. The Giants will be aggressive on offense and defense, look for a comfortable Giant win. The Giants want to be on a roll heading to Minnesota next week. Giants win 27-9.

Giants Will Lasso Cowboys

Giants visit Cowboys today in an early battle for 2nd place in the NFC East. Giants have a +11 turnover ratio. Cowboys are -3. That should make all the difference today. Dallas does not have a lot of talent on offense. They do have a top O-line but no one healthy enough to take advantage of it. Eddie George is a shell of his former self. Giants secondary is very confident, If Strahan and gang can get pressure on Testaverde the Giants will be in good shape. Vinny is prone to make mistakes when pressured, and does not move around well. Cowboys will blitz, this will be a good test for the Giant's O-line. Giants don't score a lot of points on anyone, but should put up enough to beat this lackluster Cowboy team. 16-13 Giants.

Giants Can't Sack This Pack

Giants must play keep away from Amahn Green and Brett Favre today. Giants won't be able to win a scoring contest with the Packers. Giants will need long sustained drives. Barber and Dayne need to be effective on the ground. Packers do have a banged up secondary that Warner can exploit. I am not confident that the Giants can stop Ahman Green. Green is known to fumble (5 Fumbles lost in 2003) and could be a major factor in this game. Favre + Green = Big Blue loss. 27-17 Packers.

Giants In The Favorite Role vs Browns

Giants face a Browns team that is decimated with injuries. The Browns come limping in to Giants stadium after a 19-12 loss vs Dallas last week. Jeff Garcia had a QB rating of 0. Browns offense consisted of 4 FGs. Browns should have Lee Suggs playing today, which will help their their running game. Giants will have one thing that they did not have going into last weeks game, confidence. 20-14 with a +6 turnover ratio is not a resounding victory and the Giants must execute better on offense by establishing the running game. Giants have too much talent on the offensive side of the ball, and a defense brimming with confidence. That adds up to a Giant victory. Giants win 24-13.

Home Cooking Not Enough For These Giants

This Redskin team isn't exactly a powerhouse. They are not going to blow anyone out. They do have a gameplan, run the ball, stop the run and minimize mistakes. The skins can actually execute their gameplan. The Giants can also run the ball. Can they stop the run? Can they hold onto to the ball? The Giants have all their talent on the offensive side of the ball, the defense is banged up and lacking in talent. I can't side with the Giants until Warner stops turning it over and the defense makes a big stop. Redskins 23 Giants 17.

Giants Don't Match Up Well With Eagles

The Giants new and improved(?) offensive line could not have drawn a much worse opponent for their initial assignment. Jim Johnson loves to blitz, He must be giddy over this line that will only have practiced together 4 times by gameday. The fact that Warner is not very mobile should create some turnover opportunities for the Eagles' defense. McNabb and Co could have short fields to work with most of the day. The Giants best hope is to have a run-oriented gameplan to give their line a fighting chance. Eagles have the edges on both sides of the line, this should result in a double digit Eagle win.