The good news is that the Giants defense put up a heroic effort in a 24-17 loss in Philadelphia last night. The bad news is that the Giants fell to second place against their primary Divisional opponent and have now lost two inter-Divisional games in a row. Moreover, as well as the defense played, had the Eagles not misfired on some very big plays, the score (and the game) would have been much more one sided than it appeared.
For the third straight consecutive game the Giants defensive line was unable to generate any pass rush on its own. This time, however, Fewell created consistent pressure on Vick with well schemed overload blitzes that kept Vick both on the run and contained at the same time. But the offense, with no running game and five turnovers, was unable to turn in an equivalent performance.
The injuries to O'Hara, Diehl, and Smith are clearly having an impact. The question is whether the wounded can get back on the field in playing shape in time to turn things around with a very tough schedule remaining. If so, this remains a very talented team that can contend for the trophy. But the sand in the hourglass is rapidly slipping away and it could easily be too late if Smith and either Diehl or O'Hara don't return within the next two games.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Vick Licks Chops After Kitna Embarrasses Giants
Dallas owner Jerry Jones finally put Wade Phillips out of his misery and promoted offensive coordinator Jason Garrett as the Cowboys prepared to take on the Giants at home in the Meadowlands. Meanwhile the Giants were coming off one of the most dominating performances in the history of the franchise. And Las Vegas installed the Giants as 14 point favorites. Of course that made for the perfect storm and the Giants didn't disappoint, losing to the Kitna led Cowboys by the score of 33-20.
Kitna had to have been chuckling to himself as he replayed the game in his mind as he drifted off to sleep later that night. Because, here was one of the most stationary, statue like quarterbacks you are ever going to see - one who hadn't played football since - well, since the early 1970's it seemed - and yet the Giants never laid a finger on him all night. Not a glove. Not a push. His uniform almost certainly didn't need to go to the laundry this week. And Kitna took full advantage and lit the Giants up like a Christmas tree.
Worse, the Giants also couldn't stop the running game. Jones averaged an incredible 6.83 yards per carry in the first half and Barber averaged just under 6 yards a carry for the game. The Giants defense was thoroughly dominated from beginning to end in every phase of the game.
Meanwhile, later that night the Eagles torched the Redskins 59-28 and, amazingly, that score makes it seem closer than it really was. Vick was virtually unstoppable and had one of the best games any quarterback has ever had in NFL history. And, amazingly, he has yet to throw an interception this year.
Making matters worse, Steve Smith remains out. Ramses Barden broke an ankle against Dallas and was put on IR. O'Hara and Snee remain out and Shawn Andrews didn't practice all week due to back problems.
In summary, the Giants defense has gone into a funk while the offense is in tatters. Meanwhile they are going into Philly to play the Eagles coming off one of the most impressive offensive performances in history. I expect it to be very ugly. The bigger question, however, is whether the Giants can get healthy and regroup in time for the return match in the Meadowlands in four weeks. That is the key game that will play a critical role in determining this team's success in January.
Kitna had to have been chuckling to himself as he replayed the game in his mind as he drifted off to sleep later that night. Because, here was one of the most stationary, statue like quarterbacks you are ever going to see - one who hadn't played football since - well, since the early 1970's it seemed - and yet the Giants never laid a finger on him all night. Not a glove. Not a push. His uniform almost certainly didn't need to go to the laundry this week. And Kitna took full advantage and lit the Giants up like a Christmas tree.
Worse, the Giants also couldn't stop the running game. Jones averaged an incredible 6.83 yards per carry in the first half and Barber averaged just under 6 yards a carry for the game. The Giants defense was thoroughly dominated from beginning to end in every phase of the game.
Meanwhile, later that night the Eagles torched the Redskins 59-28 and, amazingly, that score makes it seem closer than it really was. Vick was virtually unstoppable and had one of the best games any quarterback has ever had in NFL history. And, amazingly, he has yet to throw an interception this year.
Making matters worse, Steve Smith remains out. Ramses Barden broke an ankle against Dallas and was put on IR. O'Hara and Snee remain out and Shawn Andrews didn't practice all week due to back problems.
In summary, the Giants defense has gone into a funk while the offense is in tatters. Meanwhile they are going into Philly to play the Eagles coming off one of the most impressive offensive performances in history. I expect it to be very ugly. The bigger question, however, is whether the Giants can get healthy and regroup in time for the return match in the Meadowlands in four weeks. That is the key game that will play a critical role in determining this team's success in January.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Giants Explode While Cowboys Implode
The Giants face the Cowboys this afternoon for the second time in three games. In the interim, Dallas fired their head coach while the Giants came home from Seattle with a victory for the first time since 1981. While Dallas is imploding, the Giants seem to be exploding. They didn't just beat Seattle, they destroyed them 41-7 - and the score understates the extent of the Giants' domination.
But, I always try to maintain a level of objectivity when assessing the Giants - something that isn't easy to do as a life long fan. And I see some potential rough seas on the horizon, perhaps starting as early as this afternoon. Today the Giants will play without three of last year's four Pro Bowl players - Diehl, O'Hara, and Smith. Worse, it isn't clear when any of the three will return to the starting lineup.
The Giants should clearly win this afternoon's game. Even with the injuries, they are the better team right now. But, the loss of Diehl, O'Hara and Smith clearly puts a chink in their armor and if I'm Dallas, I'm pushing all of my chips into an all out strategy singularly focused on that one crack. Dallas has the horses to bring the heat with Ware, Ratcliff and Spenser, and I would not be surprised if the Dallas strategy is to hit Manning early and often. When the heat is on, Manning, like all quarterbacks, goes to his "automatic" - the guy who runs precise routes and who you can trust to always be where he is supposed to be - Steve Smith. But today, if the Cowboys can pressure Manning, he won't have that guy - and will be less able to throw to a spot under pressure but, instead, will need the extra time to scan the field and locate someone.
Dallas is out of the playoffs and have nothing to play for but pride and job security next year. If the Giants can get up by 14 points early, the Cowboys are likely to fold like a cheap shirt. And if I'm Dallas, I know the only way I win this game is to get my defense into the game early - and I do that by bringing everything but the kitchen sink at Manning from the very opening snap. If that is what they do, the good news for the Giants is their signing of Shawn Andrews, for he will be the key to protecting Manning and giving him the time to strike quick and put a dagger into the collective heart of the Dallas defense.
But, I always try to maintain a level of objectivity when assessing the Giants - something that isn't easy to do as a life long fan. And I see some potential rough seas on the horizon, perhaps starting as early as this afternoon. Today the Giants will play without three of last year's four Pro Bowl players - Diehl, O'Hara, and Smith. Worse, it isn't clear when any of the three will return to the starting lineup.
The Giants should clearly win this afternoon's game. Even with the injuries, they are the better team right now. But, the loss of Diehl, O'Hara and Smith clearly puts a chink in their armor and if I'm Dallas, I'm pushing all of my chips into an all out strategy singularly focused on that one crack. Dallas has the horses to bring the heat with Ware, Ratcliff and Spenser, and I would not be surprised if the Dallas strategy is to hit Manning early and often. When the heat is on, Manning, like all quarterbacks, goes to his "automatic" - the guy who runs precise routes and who you can trust to always be where he is supposed to be - Steve Smith. But today, if the Cowboys can pressure Manning, he won't have that guy - and will be less able to throw to a spot under pressure but, instead, will need the extra time to scan the field and locate someone.
Dallas is out of the playoffs and have nothing to play for but pride and job security next year. If the Giants can get up by 14 points early, the Cowboys are likely to fold like a cheap shirt. And if I'm Dallas, I know the only way I win this game is to get my defense into the game early - and I do that by bringing everything but the kitchen sink at Manning from the very opening snap. If that is what they do, the good news for the Giants is their signing of Shawn Andrews, for he will be the key to protecting Manning and giving him the time to strike quick and put a dagger into the collective heart of the Dallas defense.
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