Die Hard Sports Fan

It seemed like the coaching staff of the Giants sat around and determined that the best way to game plan against the Ravens was by attacking their strengths rather than exploiting their weaknesses. I figured that the G-MEN would’ve increased the ratio of passes knowing that the Ravens have been one of the best at stopping the run for nearly a decade, but the Jints developed a game plan to win the hardest way possible. Boy, did that work out for them. I guess it isn’t that crazy because the rushing attack is the Giants best weapon. So what happens when the #1 rushing team in the NFL goes up against the #1 team at stopping the run? This dominant New York Football Giants team bullied the Ravens as they rushed for 207 yards and went on to beat the Ravens 30-10. As soon as Jacobs gained 36 yards on the second play of the game, I knew this game was over.  The thing that impressed me the most was how much the Giants rushed for because the Ravens were only allowing 65.4 yards per game. Baltimore did not allow any team to rush for more than 100 yards all season, and New York amassed over 200 yards.

Offense

The Giants offense consisted of a whole lot of running. Eli Manning had another Eli outing as he went 13/23 which is a 56.52% completion percentage and threw for 153 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Manning threw his only Touch Down pass of the game to yet another weapon in Darcy Johnson early in the 2nd Quarter. Derrick Ward finished the game with 4 receptions for 54 yards. The O-Line was outstanding as they allowed Earth, Wind, and Fire to rush for 207 yards on 33 attempts which is an average of 6.27 yards per carry. It was the 3rd consecutive game in which the Giants rushed for over 200 yards so props to them. Brandon Jacobs rushed for 73 yards and 2 TDs in the first half alone, and then he was taken out of the game since he was banged up. It was actually Ahmad Bradshaw who led the team in rushing yards with 96 because he broke one open for 77 yards on one play. The Giants’ offense put up 20 of the 30 points.

Defense

The Giants defense was solid even though they did not exactly fill up a stat sheet. The Giants were harassing Joe Flacco throughout the game, but the Giants were unable to sack the rookie until Mathias Kiwanuka chased him down midway through the 4th Quarter. That was the only sack of the day for Big Blue. I was surprised that Flacco was able to run around on the Giants’ D, and he ended up leading the Ravens in rushing yards with 57. Aaron Ross was the defensive player of the day for getting 2 interceptions, and one of them was a pick 6 which he returned 50 yards to the house late in the 3rd Quarter. That was when the Giants said checkmate. It was bizarre watching the Ravens run so much in the 4th Quarter being down three scores like time is not a factor in football.  Baseball is the only sport I can think of which does not have a clock so maybe Flacco thought he was playing baseball. Did the Ravens quit? The Giants’ defense put up 7 of the 30 points.

Special Teams

Lawrence Tynes was 1/1 in Field Goal Attempts. It went threw, but it was not pretty. It is also worth noting that Tynes missed an Extra Point Attempt. Carney has been perfect this season except for the one blocked field goal so it may not be the best idea to put Tynes out there until Carney gets cold. The Giants’ special teams put up 3 of the 30 points.

I guess Big Blue got a little bit of redemption as they took revenge on the team who dominated them in Super Bowl XXXV. The Giants won their ninth game which makes them 9-1. How will Big Blue fair in the next 6 games? They have the toughest schedule remaining of any team in the NFL. I predicted them to be 8-2 after the first 10 games, and they are 9-1. I got 3 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers, and then I had the Giants and the Eagles splitting the season series with each of them winning at home. I predicted the Giants to be 4-2 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Giants will make a trip to the desert to take on the Cardinals on Sunday.

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Eli Manning discusses the Giants 30-10 victory over the Ravens with ESPN.

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Eric Allen of ESPN is impressed by the Giants 30-10 win over the Ravens.

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The Giants came into the game as the best rushing team in the NFL and rushed for 207 yards and 2 TDs against the Ravens who came into the game as the best at stopping the run in the NFL giving Big Blue their ninth win of the 2008 Regular Season.

1st Quarter

During the Giants’ opening drive, Jacobs hit a wall and redirected to the left side for a 36-yard gain which quickly got the Giants into Ravens territory. On 2nd and Goal from the 1 yardline, Brandon Jacobs dove over a defender to break the plane of the end zone for a 1-yard Touch Down run giving the Giants a 7-0 lead with 8:45 remaining.

Three penalties of 25 yards by the Giants’ defense really helped the Ravens on this drive, but the Giants were able to stop the Ravens from getting into the end zone. Then the Giants blocked the 32-yard Field Goal Attempt by Matt Stover, and the ball was recovered by Jones at the Ravens’ 33 yardline with 4:26 remaining. So the Giants took over at the where the Ravens downed the ball.

The Giants took advantage of the great field position, and Brandon Jacobs ran up the gut for a 1-yard Touch Down run to cap off the drive with 0:59 remaining giving. A low snap by Jay Alford did not allow Feagles to get the snap down on the Extra Point Attempt so the Giants only have a 13-0 lead.

2nd Quarter

Backed up on their own 10 yardline, Ward picked up 47 yards on 2 attempts which propelled the Giants to another scoring drive. On 3rd and Goal at the 1 yardline, Eli Manning threw a 1-yard Touch Down pass to a wide open Darcy Johnson in end zone giving the Giants a 20-0 lead with 7:14 remaining.

The Ravens began at the 40 yardline due to the Giants kicking it out of bounds during the Kick Off. Flacco put a little drive together before the Giants stopped the Ravens at the Giants’ 20 yardline, and Matt Stover made a 38-yard Field Goal Attempt with 4:08 remaining making it a 20-3 game.

On the first play of the drive by the Giants, Jarret Johnson pushed Hedgecock on his back on his way to sacking Eli Manning for a loss of 7 yards with 3:59 remaining which ultimately led to a punt.

On 1st and 10, Joe Flacco threw an interception to Aaron Ross who returned it 11 yards to the 47 yardline with 1:51 remaining giving the Giants another opportunity to put more points on the board before the half.

Eli Manning was marched the Giants down to the Ravens’ 18 yardline, but then he threw an interception to Ray Lewis at the 5 yardline with no return with 0:12 remaining.

3rd Quarter

Flacco had to run it himself a few times to get things going for the Ravens offense, and then as Joe Flacco was backing up from the blitzers and threw it to Jameel McClain at the 8 yardline who ran it into the end zone untouched for a 10-yard Touch Down pass with 4:26 remaining cutting the lead to 20-10.

At their own 46 yardline, Joe Flacco threw a pass to Derrick Mason which went in and out of his hands and ended up being intercepted by Aaron Ross who returned it 50 yards to the end zone for a Touch Down with 0:14 remaining.

4th Quarter

Bradshaw ran up the middle for a gain of 77 yards which placed the Giants at the Ravens’ 2 yardline, but then the Ravens made a goalline stand so Lawrence Tynes connected on a 19-yard Field Goal Attempt with 12:02 remaining making the Giants lead 30-10.

Since the Ravens are down by 20, Flacco kept the drive alive by finding Heap on the Ravens first 4th Down conversion of the drive. However, Mathias Kiwanuka chased down and sacked Joe Flacco for a loss of 10 yards on their second 4th Down attempt with 5:22 remaining giving the Giants the ball at the Ravens’ 48 yardline.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 13/23 and threw for 153 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.

Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward led in Rushing Attempts with 11 and Ahmad Bradshaw led in Rushing Yards with 96.

Derrick Ward led in Receptions and Receiving Yards with 4 and 54 respectively.

Brandon Jacobs had 2 Rushing TDs, Darcy Johnson had 1 Receiving TD, and Aaron Ross had 1 INT returned for a Touch Down.

Lawrence Tynes went 1/1 in Field Goal Attempts.

Antonio Pierce and Aaron Ross led the team in Tackles with 6.

Mathias Kiwanuka had 1 Sack.

Aaron Ross had 2 INTs.

The Giants had no Forced Fumbles.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The Baltimore Ravens will face the New York Giants at Giants Stadium.

TV Info:

Game: Baltimore Ravens (6-3) @ New York Giants (8-1)
TV: CBS (Greg Gumble, Dan Dierdof)
Radio: WFAN (Bob Papa, Carl Banks, Howard Cross)
Time: November 16, 2008; 1:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

• Baltimore is the final AFC opponent the Giants will face during the 2008 Season.
• The Ravens lead the regular season series with the Giants, 2-0.
• The Ravens also hold a 1-0 advantage over the Giants in the Postseason which was in Super Bowl XXXV.
• This is the first meeting between these teams since Dec. 12, 2004 and the first at Giants Stadium since Sept. 14, 1997.
• Both teams are coming into the game on four game winning streaks.
• Last week, New York defeated Philadelphia 36-31 to improve to 8-1.
• Last week, Baltimore beat Houston 41-13 to improve to 6-3.
• The Giants’ total offense is ranked fourth in the NFL averaging 374.7 yards per game. The Giants are first in rushing (168.9), seventeenth in passing (205.8), and third in scoring (29.1).
• The Ravens’ total offense is ranked seventeenth in the NFL averaging 323.1 yards per game. The Ravens are third in rushing (149.7), twenty-eighth in passing (173.4), and thirteenth in scoring (23.6).
• The Giants’ total defense is ranked third in the NFL allowing 264.8 yards per game. The Giants are seventh against the run (87.7), second against the pass (177.1), and sixth in points allowed (17.8).
• The Ravens’ total defense is ranked second in the NFL allowing 258.4 yards per game. The Ravens are first against the run (65.4), ninth against the pass (193.0), and fifth in points allowed (16.7).
• Last week, Brandon Jacobs got the game ball for his resolve even more than his impressive gaudy statistics. He lost a fumble for the first time this season in the second quarter but did not let the mishap deflate him as he wore down the Eagles defense, rushing for both of his touchdowns and 58 of his 126 yards in the second half.
• Last week, QB Joey Flacco got the game ball after finishing the game 15-of-23 for 185 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The rookie has not turned the ball over in 111 straight pass attempts.
• The Line: The Giants are favored by 7. Over/Under is 40.5.

Injury Report:

Ravens - Out of Game: WR Terrance Copper (Shoulder). Questionable: T Willie Anderson (Ankle), WR Derrick Mason (Shoulder), S Ed Reed (Thigh), CB Samari Rolle (Neck), TE Daniel Wilcox (Thigh), S Tom Zbikowski (Thigh).

Giants - Out of Game: LB Gerris Wilkinson (Knee). Questionable: LB Jonathan Goff (Concussion), CB Corey Webster (Groin), S James Butler (Knee), CB Kevin Dockery (Back). Probable: RB Reuben Droughns (Neck).

Quote of the week:

“They are talented and patience is something. They are great against the run, I think they are the best team against the run right now, and they do a good job on blitzes. Nothing comes easy against them, so you can’t force things. They make plays on defense, they cause turnovers, and it can be tough at times moving the ball, so you just have to stay patient, play smart football, don’t give their offense a short field, and just try to make plays when they are there.” - QB Eli Manning on the Ravens run defense

Open Thread:

Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Giants fans from around the world.

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ESPN made a Ravens vs. Giants Preview.

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Antonio Pierce talked to Mike Francesa of WFAN yesterday about a hard-fought victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and their upcoming game against the Cowboys. At the end of the interview, Pierce says that they are going to tee off on Brad Johnson. That’s funny, and I can’t wait to see it. To hear the interview in its entirety, click here.

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The Giants went into the Steel City and beat the Steelers at their own game…hard nosed, old school, smash mouthed football. The NFC East is historically known for that as well so it is no shock, but I loved every minute of it. All year, I’ve had to listen to the media say that the Giants haven’t beaten anyone yet. Now we did and came out with the same result. On top of that, we did it on the road in one of the most hostile stadiums in the country…again. The Giants completely lost momentum until John Carney kicked the field goal cutting the deficit to 14-12 with 8:18 remaining in the 4th Quarter. That’s when the Terrible Towels were being waved a little less. Then emergency long snapper James Harrison snapped the ball over the punter’s head which resulted in a safety tying the game at 14-14. The Terrible Towels were being waved even less. Then came the Giants only TD of the game when Eli found Boss in the back of the end zone with 3:07 remaining, and the Giants silenced the stadium. I absolutely loved this game, and I hope that Big Blue can continue to dominate the rest of their opponents in ‘08.

Offense

The Giants offense was average yesterday even though they only got into the end zone once. They came out strong in the 1st Quarter but could not regain momentum until the 4th Quarter. Eli Manning did not have a good night statistically. He went 19/32 which is a 59.38% completion percentage and threw for 199 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs. New York was able to move the chains, but Pittsburgh’s defense was able to stop the Giants from reaching the end zone. The Giants’ defense constantly gave the offense great field position, but the offense did not capitalize on as many possessions as they should have. The Jints offense only put up 7 points, but they were playing one of the best defenses in the NFL. Since the Giants were able to move the chains and get into the red zone, they did make 4 Field Goals. On one occasion, Coach Coughlin decided not to kick a field goal on 4th and Inches early in the 2nd Quarter which could have came back and bit them in the buttocks. RB Derrick Ward had 5 receptions for 43 yards while WR Steve Smith had 3 receptions for 45 yards. Plaxico Burress sat the 1st Quarter for missing treatments for his sore neck on Friday. Burress keeps on pissing me off with this crap, but I guess Coach Coughlin feels the same way. As I said last week, I wouldn’t care if this was a one-off incident, but his behavior is reverting. After getting his mega-contract, he has acted like a fool. Instead, he should be helping his teammates improve. The more Burress acts like T.O. or Chad Johnson, the faster the Giants will let him go like they did with his best friend Jeremy Shockey. Kevin Boss was the only Giant to find the end zone yesterday. Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward only compiled 84 yards on 31 touches which is only 2.71 yards per carry, but that is a lot more than the Steelers defense gives up. The tandem was also able to wear down the Steelers’ defense in the 4th Quarter which led to the Giants winning this game. The Giants’ offense put up 7 of the 21 points.

Defense

The Giants defense put on a show for America yesterday. They were just nasty for all four quarters. Not only that, they got better as the game went on. The Steelers were able to score on their first drive when Roethlisberger handed the ball off to Mewelde Moore who ran it 32 yards to the house. The Giants missed a tackle which cost them 7 points. The Steelers opened up the 2nd Half by Ben Roethlisberger throwing a 65-yard bomb to Nate Washington for a TD. This was the only play were the Giants’ defense broke. Besides those two bad plays, the defense dominated the Steelers’ offense all day. The defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger 5 times. Mathias Kiwanuka got to him three times, and Justin Tuck and Dave Tollefson got to him once. Add 14 knock downs to that. Kenny Phillips, Corey Webster, James Butler, and Bryan Kehl each had 1 pick yesterday. Mathias Kiwanuka and Antonio Pierce each forced 1 fumble. These stats are similar to what to what they did last week against the 49ers. There’s a big difference between the talent level of these two teams. You cannot ask for better stat lines than this against one of the best teams in the NFL. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 21 points.

Special Teams

The bes play of the game took place on Special Teams when the Steelers snapped the ball to high giving the Giants a Safety. John Carney was 4/4 in Field Goal Attempts. The Special Teams unit needs to improve on returns and coverage. The Giants’ special teams put up 14 of the 21 points.

So the Giants won their sixth game which makes them 6-1. They now will face the Cowboys and the Eagles back-to-back which are huge games to set the tone. I’m can’t wait to watch these games. How will Big Blue fair in the next 9 games? I predicted them to be 6-1 after the first 7 games, and they are 6-1. I got 2 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers. I predicted the Giants to be 6-3 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Cowboys are next on the schedule.

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Amani Toomer talks to Rachel Nichols of ESPN about the Giants win over the Steelers.

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ESPN analysts recap the Giants win over the Steelers.

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