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Week 13 PreGame: Giants (10-1) at Redskins (7-4)

November 30, 2008 By: Keith Category: NFC East, NFL, New York Giants, Washington Redskins No Comments →

The New York Giants will face the Washington Redskins at the FedEx Field.

TV Info:

Game: New York Giants (10-1) @ Washington Redskins (7-4)
TV: FOX (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa)
Radio: WFAN (Bob Papa, Carl Banks, Howard Cross)
Time: November 29, 2008; 1:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

  • The Giants will face the Redskins for the second time this season, and this time on the road.
  • The Giants lead the regular season series with the Redskins, 86-61-4.
  • The Giants command a three-game lead over the Redskins.
  • The Giants are coming into this game on a six-game win streak.
  • Last week, New York defeated Arizona 37-29 to improve to 10-1.
  • Last week, Washington beat Seattle 20-17 to improve to 7-4.
  • The Giants’ total offense is ranked fifth in the NFL averaging 367.8 yards per game. The Giants are first in rushing (164.9), nineteenth in passing (202.9), and second in scoring (29.9).
  • The Redskins’ total offense is ranked fourteenth in the NFL averaging 340.8 yards per game. The Redskins are third in rushing (143.7), twenty-first in passing (197.1), and twenty-eighth in scoring (18.3).
  • The Giants’ total defense is ranked fifth in the NFL allowing 275.4 yards per game. The Giants are sixth against the run (84.8), seventh against the pass (190.5), and fifth in points allowed (18.1).
  • The Redskins’ total defense is ranked third in the NFL allowing 272.0 yards per game. The Redskins are seventh against the run (89.3), fourth against the pass (182.7), and fifth in points allowed (18.1).
  • Last week, Domenik Hixon got the game ball for racking up 269 all-purpose yards, including 201 return yards, which gave the Giants excellent field position throughout the game. His 68-yard kickoff return just before halftime set up New York’s go-ahead touchdown.
  • Last week, Clinton Portis got the game ball for playing in spite of a sprained knee and wore down Seattle’s defense. He gained several crucial first downs in the final minutes to help run out the clock. He was also durable, carrying the ball 29 times for 143 yards.
  • The Line: The Giants are favored by 3.5. Over/Under is 41.5.

Injury Report:

Giants - Out of Game: WR Plaxico Burress (Hamstring), LB Jonathan Goff (Hamstring). Questionable: RB Ahmad Bradshaw (Neck), RB Brandon Jacobs (Knee), DT Fred Robbins (Shoulder). Probable: WR Domenik Hixon (Ankle), DE Jerome McDougle (Knee), DE Justin Tuck (Lower Leg).

Redskins - Out of Game: LB Marcus Washington (Ankle). Questionable: DE Andre Carter (Foot), LB London Fletcher (Foot), DT Kedric Golston (Ankle), DT Cornelius Griffin (Shoulder), RB Clinton Portis (Knee/Oblique), T Chris Samuels (Knee). Probable: G Pete Kendell (Knee), DT Anthony Montgmery (Achilles).

Quote of the week:

“We have changed a couple things just because they have too. Our play calling and the way we approach this football game is just based on what we saw out of them the last couple of weeks. They are an improved bunch from what we faced in week one so we are going to try to change things up and try to catch them off-guard with some things. I am sure they have some tricks up their sleeve, too, so it is another chess match.” - DE Justin Tuck on the defensive changes from their Week 1 matchup against the Redskins

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.

Week 13 PreGame: 49ers at Bills

November 30, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: 49ers, AFC East, Buffalo Bills, Leodis McKelvin, NFL, San Francisco, Trent Edwards No Comments →

The Buffalo Bills will continue to fight for their playoff lives this afternoon as they take on the San Francisco 49ers at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Broadcast Info:

Game: San Francisco 49ers (3-8) @ Buffalo Bills (6-5)
TV: FOX (Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli)

Radio: 97 Rock (Buffalo), 103.3 The EDGE (Buffalo), WHAM 1180 AM (Rochester), WNSS 1260 AM (Syracuse), FAN 590 AM (Toronto). Broadcasts are all done by John Murphy, Mark Kelso and Paul Peck on the Bills radio network.
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

  • Last meeting: The Bills totaled 226 rushing yards, including 102 from Willis McGahee, whose two touchdowns helped the Bills leave San Francisco with a 41-7 win in Week 16 of 2004.
  • The Bills have won two of the last three meetings with the 49ers to take a 5-4 series lead.
  • Last week, Niners QB Shaun Hill posted a career-high 303 passing yards, yet it was all for naught as his team converted just two of 10 third downs against the Cowboys. The Niners have struggled on third downs all season, converting them at just over a 33 percent clip (27th in the league).
  • Rookie corner back Leodis McKelvin had two interceptions Sunday, including a 64-yard return for a touchdown, marking the second consecutive week that he’s seen the end zone. McKelvin’s contributions are not limited to defense. The rookie ranks second behind Seattle’s Josh Wilson with 1,140 kick return yards.
  • Last week, Trent Edwards looked more like the QB we saw during Buffalo’s first six games — the one who threw five touchdowns and just two interceptions. Since then, he went through a four-game stretch in which he turned the ball over 10 times. Look for Edwards to build on last week’s error-free performance against San Francisco’s 29th-ranked pass defense.
  • The 49ers have 52 plays of 20-plus yards, the most in the NFL
  • Frank Gore is one of two players to lead his team in rushing yards (860) and receptions (36).
  • Edwards leads the AFC with a 108.6 passer rating in the fourth quarter.
  • The Bills are 9-1 when Edwards has 80-plus passer rating.
  • NFL west coast teams (San Diego, Arizona, Seattle, Oakland, San Francisco) have a combined record of 0-14 in games played in the eastern time zone this season.
  • Buffalo is already responsible for three of those eastern time zone losses having beat Oakland, San Diego and Seattle thus far this season.

Injury Report:

Bills- Out of Game: CB Jabari Greer (knee), LB Teddy Lehman (hamstring), DT John McCargo (back), TE Robert Royal (hamstring), and DE Aaron Schobel (foot). Doubtful: S Donte Whitner (shoulder). Questionable: DE Copeland Bryan (foot), LB Keith Ellison (ankle), and TE Derek Schouman (hamstring).

49ers- Out of Game: CB Dashon Goldson (knee), and CB Allen Rossum (ankle). Questionable: WR Allen Rossum (foot), CB Walt Harris (hamstring), and WR Josh Morgan (groin). Probable: LB Patrick Willis (ankle), and WR Jason Hill (groin).

Quote of the Week:

“With five games in the season left, we want to try to make a run. That is how we have to approach the rest of our games and that’s how we are going to play them. We have an attack mentality, we are going to go out and attack with less mistakes.”

-Bills DT Marcus Stroud

Open Thread:

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

Former Teammates Do Battle: Evans vs. Clements

November 29, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: AFC East, Buffalo Bills, Josh Reed, Lee Evans, NFL, Nate Clements, Trent Edwards No Comments →

The Buffalo Bills are fighting for their playoff lives with their current record of 6-5 as they get ready to take on the San Francisco 49ers in front of their home crowd at Ralph Wilson Stadium Sunday afternoon.

One of the biggest battles of this game is between the Bills #1 wide receiver Lee Evans, matching up against the 49ers #1 corner, Nate Clements.

Now you Buffalo fans out there will remember Clements, the former Bill. He was drafted by the Bills in the 1st round in 2001 (21st overall) out of Ohio State and enjoyed many years of success in his stay in Buffalo.

The relationship ended two seasons ago because Clements wanted to go to a winning team. His choice was the 49ers, who he believed were heading in the right direction. Now just in his second year with the team, the storied franchise has gone 8-19 since he arrived, not exactly what he was hoping for. Although an eight-year, $80 million contract might help him through the tough times.

Clements is a strong cornerback who has a unique blend of size and speed and is very physical. He might have met his match though going up against Lee Evans.

Evans is a deep threat at all times during the game. So far this year, Evans has caught 42 passes for 810 yards and 3 touchdowns. That is over 19 yards a catch (19.3)!

Who will win this match up?

If Clements wants to win this battle:

He has to play bump and run against Evans. If he is left out man on man with the wide out he has to play his physical game. He is bigger than Evans (6’0” to 5’10”, 205 lbs. to 197) and should play his style of play that has made him known in the league as one of the most physical corners. If he tries to give Evans some cushion, not to get beat deep, Evans should be able to use his speed and run underneath routes right in front of the corner. If this is to happen, Clements should come up and put a lick on Evans every time he touches the ball. The big corner has forced 17 fumbles in his career which is unheard of coming from the corner position.

If Evans wants to win this battle:

Clements will most likely try to run one on one with Evans due to injuries in the 49ers secondary. Evans has to do what he does best, get open deep using double moves. Clements has a nose for the ball and will try to make the interception if given the chance so look for him to try and jump routes, where the double move is most effective. Clements got a good look at the back of Terrell Owens jersey last week on deep balls, letting up over 200 yards to the Dallas wide out. Now that is not saying that Evans is at the same level with the big and powerful “T.O.” but he can get open deep just as good as anyone in the league. If Clements drops back and gives Evans a little cushion in a zone, he could still try the double move but he should take advantage by running patterns like comebacks and hitches to get the underneath yards.

Final Notes:

· Evans averages 73.6 yards a game this season but when Josh Reed is in the line up for Buffalo, his stats go up even more. With Reed, Evans averages 4.5 receptions and 93.4 yards a game. Good thing for Evans that Reed is back to 100%.

· The 49ers have the 29th ranked pass defense allowing 243.9 yards through the air a game. They also let up the 29th most points per game, with 28.2.

Prediction:

Nate Clements should be matched up against his former teammate, Lee Evans most of the game. I believe that Evans will get open a few times deep, the only problem is the ball getting to him. With Trent Edwards having such a good game last weekend, the Bills should try their shots down the field. With one on one coverage, Edwards will give his man Evans a few chances to make a play. I think Evans will catch 5 passes, 70-80 yards and 1 touchdown. Watch out for Clements though. He only has two interceptions this season but he will capitalize on a mistake. Edwards has to make sure the ball can only be caught by his teammates.

Bills Injury Update

November 29, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: AFC East, Buffalo Bills, NFL No Comments →

The Buffalo Bills released their injury update today before they take on the 49ers at home Sunday afternoon.

Here it is, from WGR550.com:

Keith Ellison is listed as questionable for the Bills’ match-up against the 49ers Sunday. Teddy Lehman is out. Buffalo could be thin at linebacker. Safety Bryan Scott worked out at linebacker during the week to add some depth, but was back with the secondary Friday.

Safety Donte Whitner was limited during Friday’s workout. Despite working throughout the week, Whitner is doubtful to go against San Fransisco.

CB Jabari Greer, DT John McCargo, TE Robert Royal and DE Aaron Schobel are all officially listed as out.
McCargo has been placed on IR. TE Johnathon Stupar was added to the practice squad.
Derrek Shouman and Copeland Bryan are questionable to play.

Sunday’s forecast is calling for snow and temperatures in the 30’s.

Sean Taylor to be Honored Prior to Giants-Redskins Game

November 27, 2008 By: Keith Category: Daniel Snyder, NFC East, NFL, New York Giants, Sean Taylor, Washington Redskins No Comments →

Sadly, today is the one-year anniversary of the death of No. 21. The Washington Redskins will be hosting a tribute to the late Sean Taylor, where he will be inducted into the Redskins’ Ring of Fame, prior to the game against the New York Football Giants on Sunday. Taylor will be the 43rd member inducted into the Ring of Fame. The pre-game ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m., and it will broadcast live on Redskins.com if you would like to watch it. The ceremony will feature a tribute and messages from former teammates, as well as comments from Taylor’s family and the presentation of commemorative plaques to members of Taylor’s family after his memorial is added to the stadium wall.

Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder said,”It’s appropriate that Sean joins our Ring of Fame after a stellar career cut short far too soon. His life touched so many of us in such deep and lasting ways. His presence is all around us, in our organization and among our fans.”

Sean Taylor

I know that the Redskins are the enemy, but travesties like this should never happen to anyone. Taylor was an innocent man who was shot in his own home. After Sean’s death in 2007, the ‘Skins rallied around each other and went on a great run before losing to the Seahawks up in Seattle during Wild Card Weekend. The Giants may face an inspired Redskins team on Sunday. Back in 2005, I remember it being the Giants who were inspired as they shut out the Redskins 36-0 after the passing of the late Wellington Mara. We are all aware of how emotion can play into football games so Big Blue will need to overcome this challenge on Sunday.

Spikes Returns to Buffalo

November 27, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: 49ers, Buffalo Bills, NFL, San Fransico, Spikes, Takeo No Comments →

Former Buffalo Bills Linebacker, Takeo Spikes is returning to his former team on Sunday when the Bills play the 49ers and he is happy to come back.

Nick Mendola of WGR550.com wrote a brilliant article on the subject and was able to get what “TKO” said when he spoke to the Buffalo media yesterday.

Saying he told former teammates he planned to “retire a Buffalo Bill,” and that the area “was the first place to feel like home,” Takeo Spikes reacquainted himself with the Buffalo media during Wednesday’s Media Day at One Bills Drive, saying he loved the city because it’s “genuine.”

Spikes has recorded 69 tackles and three interceptions for the 3-8 San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo’s Week Thirteen opponent, and is ready to come back to the city.

“I’m getting ready to put on a show.” Spikes said. “There’s so much history, lot of good times, and it’s the first place I could really call home.”

During a conference call with the Buffalo media, Spikes said he’s been contemplating how he’ll be received at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

“I thought about it several times,” Spikes said. “I don’t think I left in a bad way, and from time-to-time when I see the games, I see a lot of No. 51 jerseys in the crowd, and I like to think that a lot of those 51 jerseys, no disrespect to Paul… I think I put in enough good work that they kept mind.”

With all the fanfare that accompanied his arrival in Western New York, and his explosion onto the Buffalo playing field, Spikes thought he’d be a Bill for life, and described his love for the city.

“It was just genuine,” Spikes said. ”I think about it from Day One. The last game of the year back in 2002, when I was playing in Cincinnati and the fans were almost like recruiting trip, with the mock jerseys with ‘Spikes’ on the back.’”

Spikes made 126 tackles during 2003, his first season in Buffalo, registered two sacks and picked off two passes. That was just a tip of the iceberg, as he nabbed five interceptions the following year to go with 99 tackles and three sacks.

Injuries marred the rest of his time in Buffalo, as he played just 15 games over his final two seasons in Buffalo. During his career, he racked up 312 tackles, seven sacks, seven interceptions and six fumbles.

“I talk to Mario and Crowell all the time, and even in my third year, I thought that I would’ve retired as a Buffalo Bill, as far as playing the rest of my years out and maybe getting another deal,” Spikes said.

Spikes said he is ”still searching” for his first playoff game, and will be after this year. He holds the longest active streak for regular season action without a playoff game in the National Football League, saying he won’t be known as a “3-8″ player when he’s done with the game.

“People respect you when you play (expletive) to the wall all the time,” Spikes said.

That second season in Buffalo was an incredible performance by any standards. In addition to the aforementioned stats, he defended 17 passes from the linebacker spot, and scored two touchdowns, including a 62-yard interception return against his first team, the Cincinnati Bengals.

Then came the injuries, and while he’s back to being productive, Spikes is certainly not the freak who vowed to come back from a season-ending injury as a “mad dog in a meat house.”

“I’m still searching. I try not to get caught up into ‘Why me?,’ but when is it going to happen to me? And I know that when it’s going to happen, I need to be doing everything I’m supposed to do. That’s why I don’t get lagged down about people having bad conversations about ‘We don’t do this,’ or ‘We don’t do that.’”

“It’s going to happen. It needs to happen soon. Lord knows I’m not the guy who came to Buffalo.  I’m on the back nine now. I just started the back nine.”

On Sunday afternoon, Buffalo will greet him at the turn.

ThanksGiving Is Thursday, Are you Ready for Some Football?

November 25, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: AFC East, Buffalo Bills, NFL, Turkey Bowl No Comments →

It’s 9:30 AM and you are being woken up by a blaring alarm clock, something you are not accustomed to on a day off. You take a look outside and see snow falling from the sky, blanketing everything in sight. You then rummage through the drawers of your dresser looking for the warmest cloths possible. It doesn’t matter how stupid it looks, just that it is warm and you can throw your old football jersey over the top.

On the way on the door, your wife thinks you are nuts. There is a house to clean, chores to be done not to mention the dinner that you have to make to feed the 25 plus family and friends entering your home later that night. You put that on hold and leave your cell phone on the kitchen table on your way out the door.

The drive to the local park goes by quickly. You are trying to remember the plays you used to draw up ten to twenty years ago that your opponent still has not figured out how to stop. When you arrive you see the likes of Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly and Andre Reed all waiting for you. You smile as you get out of the car and realize that on this snowy day in Buffalo, a game is about to begin that will give bragging rights for the next year…

The “Turkey Bowl” is played by friends all over the country on that special day that is Thanksgiving, and it will take place, rain, sleet, snow or hail. This article is a way to salute all you Turkey Bowl MVPs out there and to share your stories of gridiron glory.

Me personally, my games are still not over and I still have some bowl games left in me. From playing in local parks, to hoping the fence to the football field at my high school, the game is really about bring friends closer together, and of course, having those bragging rights for the entire year.

So here’s to you, Turkey Bowl All-stars. Enjoy your various games coming up on Thursday and you will remember it for years to come, or at least until the next morning, when you wake up with aching muscles.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Power Rankings: Big Blue Finally Overtakes Titans

November 25, 2008 By: Keith Category: NFC East, NFL, New York Giants No Comments →

This is your Post-Week 12 Power Rankings from a Giants fans’ perspective of course. Big Blue was ranked No. 2 by both ESPN and CBSSportsline last week, but I expect them to move up to the top now that the Titans finally lost a game. Let’s find out…

After Week 11, ESPN had the Jints in the No. 2 spot behind the Titans. After Week 12, ESPN has the Giants in the No. 1 for the first time this season in their Power Rankings. The Giants have been in the No. 2 spot for five straight weeks, but now they wear the crown since the Giants and the Titans have the same record. The Titans, the Jets, the Steelers, and the Buccaneers round out their Top 5 this week. The Cowboys moved up from No. 11 to No. 9 after crushing the 49ers. The Redskins fell from No. 9 to No. 12 after beating the Seahawks. The Eagles fell from No. 17 down to No. 21 after losing to the Ravens. So the Giants are the only NFC East team in their Top 5, and the Cowboys are the only other NFC East team to make their Top 10.

After Week 11, CBSSportsline had the G-MEN in the No. 2 spot behind the Titans. After Week 12, CBSSportsline has the Giants in the No. 1 spot in their Power Rankings for the first time this season also. The Jets, the Titans, the Buccaneers, and the Cowboys round out their Top 5. The Redskins climbed up from No. 14 to No. 11. The Eagles fell from No. 17 to No. 22. The Giants and the Cowboys are the only NFC East teams in their Top 5, but the other two NFC East teams are not in their Top 10.

3 out of 4 NFC Beast teams won in Week 12. The Giants are 10-1 with a 3-0 division record. Big Blue has 5 tough opponents left. The Giants will make the trip D.C. next to take on the Redskins. After Washington, they will face the Eagles, the Cowboys, the Panthers, and the Vikings. That stretch of 3 consecutive division games will be fascinating to watch. As of right now, the Giants need to get to a minimum of 12 wins including 5 division wins to clinch the division. The Cowboys and the Redskins are both 7-4, they beat each other head-to-head, and they both have a 2-2 division record so they are dead even with five games remaining. Obviously, if one of those teams win every game then they will have a 12-4 record with a 4-2 division record. So the Giants can lock up the division by winning two out of their next three division games regardless of what anyone else does. The Redskins do have a 1 game lead over the Cowboys in the conference which may matter when it’s all said and done. Alternatively, the Giants can win the division by winning 13 games regardless of their division record. I’m thrilled that the Giants finally ended up in the #1 spot because they deserve it. I knew all along that the Giants have been the best team in the NFL, but I was not complaining because I know these guys who make the Power Rankings do it by record. It’s not that complicated. Our boys in blue are ranked better than 31 teams so what else could I ask for?

Reed Returns, Offense Rolls

November 24, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: AFC East, Buffalo Bills, Josh Reed, Lee Evans, NFL, Trent Edwards No Comments →

The Buffalo Bills got a much needed win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive against the Kansas City Chiefs, 54-31.

To the non-Bills fan, just skimming through box score, you might look at #1 wide receiver Lee Evans numbers, or Trent Edwards big day or possibly even how running back Marshawn Lynch did for your fantasy team but as a fan of the team, one guy stinks out like a sore thumb, and that man is Josh Reed.

Reed was out three straight games after he was injured back in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins. During his time out, young quarterback Trent Edwards struggled and the offense look off key. Not only that but in Reed’s 3 game absence, Lee Evans caught only 6 passes for 63 yards combined (and that includes a game against the Browns were Evans had zero receptions).

The Bills during that same three game stretch went 0-3.

Now Reed isn’t a flashy wide receiver, he is far from it. What Reed does excel at though is getting open on 3rd downs. I have never seen a wide receiver on the Bills that just finds a soft spot in a zone and sits there.

Edwards knows with Reed in the lineup, he can look deep down the field to Evans, and still pick up the 1st down because Reed is somewhere on the field wide open.

Now it is hard to tell that if Reed would’ve played, the Bills would have won those games. All I know is that against the Dolphins, the game he went out, the Bills really could’ve used a guy that could get them down the field. Same goes with the game against the Jets and Patriots when Edwards looked as if he couldn’t find anyone down the field.

And with the Browns dropping 8 back every play, who do you think would have made the difference finding spots in zones? Certainly not tight end Robert Royal who is the man Trent turned to in his time of need.

The only thing you can say about Reed is the Bills play different when he is in the lineup. For starters, Trent Edwards looks a lot sharper and when you have to focus on Reed running precise patterns, it takes a little bit of coverage away from Evans. With Reed in the lineup, Evans averages 4.5 receptions and 93.4 yards a game.

Reed was also off to the best start of his career this season and still has put up some respectable numbers for the number 2 wide out on the team (31 receptions, 338 yards, 1 TD).

One last thing to think about, in games Reed has played from start to finish, Buffalo has gone 6-1.

He is defiantly a guy you want in the lineup when you team’s next games are all must wins on their steep road to the playoffs.

Good thing they have a guy like Reed on their trip, to find the holes in traffic.

My Thoughts on Giants Victory Over Cardinals

November 24, 2008 By: Keith Category: Amani Toomer, Arizona Cardinals, Derrick Ward, Domenik Hixon, Eli Manning, John Carney, Justin Tuck, Kenny Phillips, Kevin Boss, Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, NFC East, NFC West, NFL, New York Giants, Terrell Thomas No Comments →

The Giants flew out to Glendale, AZ where they won Super Bowl XLII and outscored the high octane Cardinals offense. I must admit that I was nervous for a few days prior to kick off. The first reason was because the G-MEN are due for a loss, and the second reason was because they have not had to defend a high-flying offense like this maybe since the Super Bowl. This victory along with a Titans loss now puts the Giants and the Titans in a tie for the best record in the NFL, 10-1, with five games to go. Who team will finish the ‘08 season with a better record? We’ll see, but I do know that Big Blue will move up to the #1 spot on all of the Power Rankings.

Offense

The Giants offense consisted of a whole lot of passing yesterday. Eli Manning had a great game as he went 26/33 which is a 78.79% completion percentage and threw for 240 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. This is the first time he threw for over 200 yards since the Seattle game. Every time the Cardinals scored, Eli marched the team right down the field for a score never giving the Cardinals the opportunity to take the lead. Manning spread the love by throwing his 3 TD passes to 3 different receivers which included Amani Toomer, Madison Hedgecock, and Kevin Boss. Domenik Hixon replaced Burress after the first series and led the team in Receptions and Receiving Yards with 6 and 57 respectively. Earth, Wind, and Fire were not able to show themselves off as a trio to the Cardinals defense because Jacobs was inactive. Ward and Bradshaw were not as successful without the big man. Derrick Ward led the ground game with 20 touches for 69 yards and 1 Rushing TD. The running game only amassed to 87 yards on 27 carries. The Giants’ offense put up 28 of the 37 points.

Defense

The Giants defense was solid even though they gave up 29 points. The defense came out and pressured Kurt Warner throughout the game and the defensive backs were extremely physical with the Cardinals’ receivers. Justin Tuck got the only sack of the game as well as a forced fumble. Rookie Kenny Phillips had his best game yet with 7 Tackles. It seemed like Phillips was involved in every play, and his best play of the game was when he punched the ball out of Larry Fitzgerald’s hands in the end zone for what would’ve been a TD. Ross was also playing very physical, but too physical for the Refs because they kept throwing flags out on the field. The other rookie, Terrell Thomas, got a pick. The Giants have been allowing an average of 17 points per game so they were fortunate that they got the win after allowing 29 points. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 37 points.

Special Teams

John Carney returned and was 3/3 (perfect again) in Field Goal Attempts. I already mentioned how Hixon filled in really well for the injured Plaxico, but he was even better on special teams. Domenik Hixon had 201 return yards which constantly gave the Giants’ offense great field position which they took advantage of. Most of Hixon’s return yardage came on a 83-yard return and a 66-yard return. Hixon left the game with 269 total yards so props to him. The Giants’ special teams put up 9 of the 37 points.

Heading into this weekend, I felt like all four NFC East teams were going to win because there were not any head-to-head games or really challenging opponents. The three teams with the better records won while the Eagles with the worst record lost. I was hoping that either the Redskins or Cowboys would’ve lost rather than the Eagles. The Giants won their tenth game which makes them 10-1. How will Big Blue fair in the next 5 games? They have the toughest schedule remaining of any team in the NFL. I predicted them to be 9-2 after the first 11 games, and they are 10-1. 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 3-2 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Giants will make a trip to the nation’s capitol to take on the Redskins on Sunday.