Giants Face Texans

As a fan, it is difficult to focus on this game. Obviously, the Giants cannot afford to overlook any opponent. This is the NFL - professionals who, even on the worst team, are still the best players in the world. However, I don't buy that "on any given Sunday" crap. The bottom line is that Super Bowls are won by dominant teams - and the very definition of a dominant team is one that soundly defeats greatly inferior teams - and does so consistently.

Houston has some players. At least on offense. They have a solid quarterback that has, however, been going through some ups and downs. They have a very good running back who has put up some big numbers in recent games. They have a very strong receiving corps led by Andre Johnson who is leading the entire NFL in receptions (56) and receiving yards (669). And remember - he needed a quarterback on the other side of that connection to get those league leading statistics. So this team has some offensive weapons.

On top of that, the Giants have a rash of injuries on defense - Arrington, Short, Osi, Madison, and Tuck. Yet, even with a depleted defense, the Giants should still make life miserable for Houston QB David Carr. If Houston has any chance on offense, it will be the match up problems they present at wide receiver. The Giants will have to once again stuff the run and bring the pressure. The good news is that they should have little trouble doing so. Strahan will probably get his record breaking sack this game, although I think it would be much more fitting for it to happen the following week against Chicago.

The reason this game should be an old fashioned beating is the advantage the Giants have on the offensive side of the ball. Unlike the 1986 team, it is the offense of the 2006 Giants that has the talent to dominate. As a defensive coordinator you can choose your poison. They can beat you running or through the air. Your choice. They can control the ball on the ground with Tiki and pound you to death with Brandon Jacobs. Or they can throw the ball - high to Burress - in clutch situations to Toomer - or to stretch the field with Carter. They also just happen to have a TE capable of dominating an opponent. And after all that - they have perhaps one of the game's greatest all time receivers out of the backfield in Barber.

Burress is hurting and may not play but, if so, it shouldn't really detract from this offense this week. I will be disappointed if Feagles has to take the field at any time on Sunday. In fact, I think the Giants should consider not dressing him and use the spot for a backup LB or WR (just kidding). The truth is that I am taking Houston lightly. That is my god given right as a fan who is having fun enjoying what is hopefully a great season. The Giants, however, do not have that luxury - not if they truly are SB bound. This is a team they must defeat - and must do so convincingly. If they do, the Giants schedule is such - with the exception of Chicago next week - that they legitimately could run the board the rest of the way.