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.