Giants Psyche On The Line

Everyone knows the Giants have had second half failures the past few years and today's game against the Bears is this year's make or break game when it comes to the Giants fragile psyche. While it may not be a critical game from the view point of the standings, it is critical from the stand point of the identity of this team itself. And they head into today's match up with problems.

The Giants' have struggled to put points on the board, scoring a paltry 13 against the winless Dolphins, 20 against the Cowboys, 16 against Detroit, and 17 last week. Plaxico's ankle is getting any better and this week he's even further hobbled with a knee problem. And although Ward finally returns, Jacobs remains unavailable. Some how the Giants have to find a way to get the offense in gear. The problem is they are missing their primary components in both the passing and running game. Indeed, it is my belief that Jacobs is crucial - he not only pounds the defense while running, but his presence freezes the linebackers and frees up the passing game as well.

Worse, the Giants are banged up on defense too. The loss of Kiwinuka makes it more difficult to generate a pass rush, without which the secondary has been exposed. To make matters worse, this week Aaron Ross and Gibril Wilson are both sidelined.

This is a very beatable Chicago team. But the Giants are very fragile emotionally, beat up physically, and Chicago (and Rex Grossman) are coming off a comeback win last week. If the Giants some how manage to limp out of Chicago with a win, it will go a long way towards shooing the demons away. Lose and this team could fall very quickly into a deep black hole and drag Coughlin with them.