NY Giants Football

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It is getting tight in the NFC East. The NY Giants face a tough Philadelphia Eagles team in week 8. The game is to be played at Philly Sunday 11/1.

New York needs a win not only to maintain first place but also for their confidence level which may have taken a blow this past week against the Cardinals. Big Blue should have won that game but unfortunately several factors contributed to the loss.

The Eagles usually play harder and give an extra effort when playing the G-Men. It is still early in the season but this is a must win game. We have the tools to win this game, a good running attack and a good passing attack which in my opinion we are not utilizing correctly. Steve Smith is our most consistent and reliable wide receiver and last week we should have utilized him more. Mario Manningham has had good games and will get better with time but he has had several drops including a potential touchdown drop last week. Drop balls are a part of the game and can happen to anyone but one drop can change the momentum of a game just ask Domenik Hixon who dropped a sure TD versus the Eagles last year. Hakeem Nicks needs to be used more and should start along side Steve Smith.

Our teams success lies in its discipline and ability to control the ball and execute plays. In the past 2 games on several 3rd and shorts the play calls have been for deep throws instead of getting the 2 or 3 yards needed to maintain possession. It is true we have found an aerial attack but lets not get carried away, call and design better 3rd and short plays. If NY would have done that versus New Orleans they could have kept Brees and that offense off the field and had a better chance to win. We have Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, why not use them on 3rd and shorts, why not throw a pass which isn't a bomb to Boss or Smith instead? Higher percentage plays than deep balls on 3rd and short.

New York can win this game, but the defense needs to put pressure on Donovoan McNabb or else he will have a field day throwing deep to DeSean Jackson. The Giants better watch out for the Wild Cat, I guarantee they will try this on us after seeing how wide open Larry Fitzgerald got last week. The last thing we need is to be Michael Vicks coming out party.

It is time for the TOUGH NY Giants team we know to kick some butt!!! Osi Umenyiora has to step up and get physical, Bill Sheridan needs to blitz more and design pressure plays. Last week we started out well but ended up getting away from it in the middle of the game. If Osi plays to his ability it will open up chances for Tuck and Kiwanuka to make plays. Imagine if our front four played to their ability who could stop them? Who would they double team? Big Blue's toughness and physical dominance at the line brought a Championship, this was only 2 years ago, there is no way the G-Men have suddenly lost their toughness in 2009.

Here is how they stack up stats wise.

Total Offense:
New York is ranked 6th overall scoring on average 27.9 points per game on 391.3 yards.
Philadelphia ranks 17th and scores 27.2 points per game on 371 yards.
Pretty even offenses even if their is 11 places in between them on the rankings.

Total Defense:
The NY Giants still rank 1st allowing 20.4 points per game on 262 yards.
The Eagles rank 7th allowing 19.3 points per game on 287 yards.
If we can withstand their early rush and pressure and make them change their game plan we can control this game. They will be blitzing early and often trying to put pressure on Eli Manning. This team can create turnovers with their pressure, hopefully we will play a more control possession type game, what I like to call Giants football!

Passing:
The G-Men rank 11th gaining 249.4 yards through the air.
Philly is ranked 15th gaining 233 yards on average.
As I stated above, DeSean Jackson is their aerial weapon. I have confidence in Corey Webster's ability to shut him down as long as pressure is put on McNabb. Vick and that stupid Wild Cat offense may be a factor as well, I hate gimmicky football!

Passing Defense:
Big Blue ranks 2nd allowing only 158.4 yards through the air.
The Eagles rank 9th allowing 190.2 yards.
The Eagles are not the same intense defensive team from the past, our wide receivers are young but talented and can get open for big plays. Steve Smith should have a big game. Throw deep on 1st and 2nd down once in a while and catch them sleeping. Hakeem Nicks should play a nice roll in this game as well, he is an excellent wideout.

Rushing:
New York is ranked 5th in rushing gaining on average 141.9 yards on the ground per game
Philadelphia ranks 18th gaining 103.7 yards per game.
We need Jacobs to explode into holes in this game and be the bruiser that he is. Ahmad Bradshaw had a huge fumble last week but he is an excellent RB who we can rely on. He fumbled trying to get extra yardage and it was the first fumble of the season for him, unfortunately it came at an important stage of the game. We should screen to Bradshaw a couple of times, this guy can break apart a defense. .

Rushing Defense:
The Giants rank 15th allowing 103.6 yards per game.
The Eagles rank 11th allowing 96.8 yards per game.
It still surprises me that we are not better when it comes to rush defense. The Giants have the players to be better in this category. Westbrook may not play which should be a huge advantage for us.

I cannot see the NY Giants losing 3 games in a row under Tom Coughlin. This is a test not only for the team but also for the coordinators. Bill Sheridan needs to bring it with his defensive play calling and Kevin Gilbride needs to get back to basic Giants bruising football.

Carlos Caicedo
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