Giants reach 9-1 With 6 Games Remaining

Before the start of the season, a look at the schedule revealed a clear line of demarcation - the first six games were "soft" and the last ten games were horrendous. Based upon the schedule itself, I predicted the Giants would go 6-0 followed by 4-6 over the final ten games.

Well, four games into the tough part of their schedule and the Giants are 4-0. Most impressive of all are the three wins over Pittsburgh, Philly and Baltimore - probably 3 of the most physical teams in all of football - and the Giants were the more physical team in each of those games. Last week's game against the Ravens was proof just how physical this Giants team truly is. The Giants defense totally shut down the third best running game in all of football. On the other side of the ball, however, the Giants ran for more than 200 yards against the #1 ranked run defense. And they did that without Brandon Jacobs after the first quarter (ok, he played a few more downs, but he was injured on the first touchdown coming off the very first drive). Jacobs had 70 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. And he did it in bruising fashion, refusing to go down and carrying players on his back (and under his feet). He had the kind of game that lifts the rest of the team on his shoulders - an emotionally charged style that carries others with him.
I have watched the Giants since I was a young boy in the 1950s. I have not missed one single solitary snap since 1970. And Brandon Jacobs is the best running back I have ever seen wear Giants blue. Of course, he doesn't yet have the longevity to warrant that attribution, but I cannot see the Giants allowing him to go elsewhere in free agency. So, note to Giants management - sign Brandon to an extension now and don't wait until after the season. While I'm at it, and although I don't know where the dollars will come from, the Giants need to sign Ward too. He compliments Jacobs perfectly. Keep the three headed monster intact. If the only way to accomplish that would be to trade Burress and free up the dollars from his contract, then I'd literally give Burress away if it meant keeping Jacobs, Ward and Bradhaw long term.

Jacobs apparently will play today and Burress may not, so we may get to see what such a team would look like. The fact is that Jacobs and the Giants power running game is the best weapon the Giants defense has against a team with a high powered passing attack like Arizona. If the Baltimore Ravens couldn't stop the running game, what hope do the Cardinals have? As the first step to stopping Arizona, the Giants need monster drives that limit the number of times Arizona touches the ball. Then the Giants pass rush must return this week - pressure on Warner is going to be key. Finally, we learn whether Ross and Webster really are the future studs at corner. This is not a good match up for the Giants - passing teams scare me. But the Giants handled NE in the Super Bowl and will need another similar style game to win this one today.

Win or lose today, as I said last week, one thing has become clear about this team. They show up every week - every last man. They play with emotion and intensity -with a chip on their shoulder - and so long as they continue to do so, they are going to end up in Tampa in February winning the first back to back Super Bowl championship in team history.