Keys to the Game

Let’s face it, the key to this game is to not get cocky and assume the Giants are already toast.  We play hard for 60 minutes and run it down their throats and mix in the deep pass and we’ll win.  The Giants sound like a team in total disarray, but this is a division battle and you never know when a division foe will rise up to bite you.

The Giants have the worst pass defense in the NFC.  They’ve given up an average of 310 yards per game. It would be tempting to air it out like we did at the beginning of the Philly game.  But the great thing is that they also have the 12th ranked run defense in the conference. I’d like to see a return to the power running game we used against the Dolphins to help Fabini and Wade get in the groove. If we mix in the long passes at key moments, we should be able to be very explosive but also keep the Giants off the field.

On defense, the key is to neutralize Plaxico Buress, and force the Giants to be one dimensional.  Without Tiki Barber, a constant pain to the Redskins in the past, Buress is the only playmaker on the team.  Look for Taylor and Landry to give extra help over the top which might allow some extra space for Derrick Ward who has been quite a pleasant bonus for the Giants. But we should be able to play the bend don’t break style of D we played last week even with Ward getting some extra runnning room. The Giants are ranked 2nd in passing, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that they’ve been constantly behind.

Much like last week, a major key to the game is the fragile nature of the opposing QB.  Giants fans have not given up on Eli the way Philly fans are done with McNabb, but in this case, it is Giants PLAYERS who are done.  It is clear there is no confidence in the huddle with Manning at QB.  There is no direction or personality, and the team will not fight for Eli.  If we get ahead, look for this team to crumble and bicker.  Blitzing also rattles Eli, and if we can hit him he will get less accurate.

My prediction?  A slightly closer game than some people think but still a good win.  How about 23-17.

-DW