Game preview
Vikings 17, Giants 13.
Here's why:
-- The Giants offense. I'm not sold on Plax still being able to have an impact. I'm not sold on Reuben Droughns being able to carry the load. Definitely not sold on Ahmad Bradshaw in key spots. I can see this being the sort of sputtering day for Eli and company, aided by a big day from the Williams boys.
-- The Williamses. Kevin and Pat will have big days for the Vikes, stuffing the run and creating problems inside. I don't think Droughns has the speed to get to the outside, and Minny's LBs are fast and big.
-- The Vikes will run the ball, and their offense will produce. It's a bit unfair to go back into recent Giants history to see all the mediocre QBs (Kurt Kiittner, Rex Grossman, Joey Harrington, Kyle Boller, Tony Romo) the Giants have turned into stars (the Romo thing -- a little joke. Don't get your britches in a bunch, Cowboy fans). Tarvaris Jackson is not a very good or very experienced QB, but he has some moves.
These Giants have not fallen victim to the so-called "trap" game this season and they've beaten teams they're supposed to. Just not seeing the pieces fall into place for this one, folks.
If I'm wrong, Jon Kitna can tell me where to go.
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (15)
I'm feeling you on this one Arthur. Just not feeling good about our banged-up backfield and Eli's ability to win the game through the air on a blustery day.
Scary thing is, if we lose Sunday, what chance do we have to win in Chicago and Philly in even worse weather conditions? Those two games will tell me a lot about Eli's capabilities.
Disagreed with you a few weeks back, though, about Eli's potential. I hope I'm wrong.
I will pose a realistic question in regards to where he is today. What is more likely in a late-game situation: Eli making a great play to win it, or Eli making a bonehead play to cost us a chance at winning?
This is a trap, and the W hinges on Eli. I expect he gets this one done. If he has a typical, nondescript game Arthur's 17-13 L looks dead on.
I couldnt disagree with you more
I think this game will be the game that the offense just purely explodes. I agree that i dont think Droughns can carry the load, so they will rely on Eli and i am seeing a 300+ game from him, believe they will try to take some deep shots, Plax has a good height advantage over the Vikings corners, and have the feeling Plax wants to have a bounce back game after a lack-luster game vs Detroit, so he will finally get back into the endzone
Im pretty sure the Giants wont give up on the Run, even if Ward is there (which would atleast give them a threat), but it will be mostly a passing game for NY
Eli is starting to get on a little hot streek, and I think he will continue it, He is starting to trust the non-playmakers and is spreading the ball around.
Defense will be sound, we are 7th best vs the Run, and I just cant see Vikings offense blowing us away in thier passing game
Predictions
Giants 31 Vikings 7
Eli: 3 TD, no picks, no fumbles
Plax/Shockey/Toomer TD
and Bradshaw will finds his way in the endzone (probably on KR)
Steve, I expect Eli to have a good game as well, and if he does they win easy.
Arthur, housekeeping note, on your blogroll the nyp giants blog link goes here: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/ instead of the Post blog.
The Giants either win by a little or lose by a little. This week will be no different. I agree that this game will rest solely on Eli's shoulders. However, if Winfield is out, I expect a big game from Plax.
Watch for Santana Moss, Lawrence Tynes, Justin Tuck and Fred Robbins to be the dark horses in this one.
After only beating the Raiders by a touchdown at home, I just don't see the Vikings taking the Giants at home despite their great O and D lines.
Here's six more reasons that would prove you right:
2006: Giants vs. Titans 24-21 L
2005: Giants vs. Seahawks 24-21 L
2004: Giants vs. Eagles 27-6 L
2003: Giants vs. Buffalo 24-7 L
2002: Giants vs. Texans 16-14 L
2001: Giants vs. Raiders 28-10 L
Good news is the last time we won on Thanksgiving weekend, we made it to the Super Bowl.
This game has all the makings of Eli having an average game with a touchdown and a pick, and Droughns having 110 yards rushing and a TD or two. Hopefully we'll get a defensive score in there too. It seems the Giants always perform opposite of what the stats show they will do.
Giants 27
Vikes 16
I say 23-13, Giants. Nobody understands this is not chokelands sorry-ass D Chester will run the ball against. And this passing game isn't just going to wake up and light the Giants up just 'cause they WANT to. I don't see our offense having a break out day, but we'll do enough. 2005 should'nt happen again as long as we run the ball and stop(or at least contain) the run. A few deep shots down field by Eli would'nt hurt either. GO BIG BLUE!
Haha. Thanks for a good laugh. The Giants weakness on defense in stopping the pass, which the Vikings can't do. The weakness on Minny's defense is the pass defense, which we can exploit. So how to you figure? Oh, that's right, you're job is to stir up talk, so making a dumb prediction does that.
Willie,
We havent gone up against a dominant line this year, im not feeling great about the idea of Tuck/Strahan going up against McKinnie and Hutchinson. Those two guys are elite at their positions, and they've got a good back following them.
The whole idea of trap games are overrated. When you're heading into December when every game counts and a 4-6 team on deck, it can't be a trap game. So if we lose, don't use that excuse.
And Arthur, the backup/mediocre QB bug hasn't gotten us that badly lately. There's an occasional flash in the pan deal with a Grossman or something but we've beaten the Harringtons or the Dilfers. I'm more worried about their WR, Sidney Rice beating us deep. He was 2/2 with 82 yards or something last week. And all it takes is one deep hook up to Troy Williamson to really deflate the air out of our defense. Tavaris has the arm for that, and Troy has the speed.
Dangerous game...
David,
Great stat about the Giants' post-Turkey Day daze. Some trends are hard to buck, and even harder to bet against continuing.
It really is going to depend on the Giants D, because the O is going to struggle. I think Arthur's right about the running game (although I think Bradshaw could surprise if he hangs onto the ball), and I think Plax is done. Sure, he can still go out there and use his height to pull in a few, but he's just not a threat anymore.
And with Smith *still* out, it's going to be on Toomer, Moss, and Shockey, with Tyree and Hixon as the 3rd & 4th wideouts. Toomer is solid and reliable, but if someone's going to break the game open in the passing game, it's going to have to be either Shockey, or Moss with his speed. (Note: I do not actually expect Moss to break the game open, but it's theoretically possible)
The good news is that Winfield is out for the Vikings D, and if the Giants D can contain Taylor, the Vikes don't have much left. Hopefully they can turn a pick or two into a score or good field position.
I'll say... Giants, 12-6. I think it'll be ugly.
Just to be clear, when I say Plax is done, I'm just talking about this season. He just can't play through the ankle anymore, and it's not going to get better until the offseason.
If he's healthy next year, he'll be an absolute beast.
Trap's are for mice and rats people, we are 7-3 and in the drivers seat for the wild card, the Viking's pass-defense is brutal, and there QB situation is horrible 24-3 G-men
The running game lives and dies by the o-line. Droughns and Bradshaw can and will succeed in carrying the offense today. Bradshaw will fumble - once - but they can't afford not to give him the carries. I'd like to see the rookie have a big day - so hold on with two hands!
Barring further injuries - I think our D will bend NOT break enough today to give us the win.
Giants 20 Vikes 10
A loss today will rest solely on our special teams.
-Big BB
Eli 41, Giants 17
Well, it looks like I'm right on both counts in my first response to this post
A. That the Giants would lose today.
B. That Eli sucks.
You just don't ignore trends like the one David presented. And you don't win when your QB gift-wraps 28 points for the opposing team.
For all of those who have given Eli a pass up until this point, including so many NFL broadcasters and beat writers who would try their hardest to see the positives in this guy, it is time to wake up and smell the coffee. Eli sucks.