Loading ...The New York Giants travel to Texas on Sunday to face the Houston Texans. As I’ve done since the season started, I want to address this week’s Key Matchup. There are actually two pieces to this week’s Key Matchup that will make the game: Houston’s secondary vs. New York’s wide receivers and New York’s secondary vs. Houston’s banged up wide receivers.
Let’s address the Houston Texans secondary and New York’s wide receives first. Houston’s overall defense allows 408 yards per game, 337.8 of which are passing yards while only 70.3 are rushing yards. Right defensive end Mario Williams is questionable with a groin injury, so if Big Blue can get their running game going early, the passing game will fall into place. The New York Giants average 235.5 passing yards per game, and with everyone in the passing game at 100%, they should be able to get at least that, if not more.
Big Blue is coming off of a huge and much needed win against the Chicago Bears, in which they recorded 183 passing yards and 189 rushing yards against a tough Bears defense. This week they face a weaker Houston defense and have the potential for much higher numbers. This needs to be the weekend that Big Blue’s offense really steps it up and shows what they can do. Without Mario Williams, the Houston pass rush is hugely diminished. If Williams plays, he won’t be as affective with that injury. Eli Manning has to make good decisions this week when throwing to Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith and Kevin Boss. The Texans secondary can be exploited and Big Blue needs to take advantage of that early and often.
The second match-up I want to address is the Giants secondary against the Texans offense. This match-up is opposite of the first match-up, in that the Giants secondary is much stronger than the Texans. Plus, they have the advantage of Houston’s injury situation. Wide receivers Andre Johnson (ankle) and Jacoby Jones (calf) are both questionable and game-time decisions on Sunday. Johnson was limited in practice on Friday while Jones was held out. Houston averages 243.5 passing yards per game, while New York allows just 139.8 yards per game. The Giants secondary has been considered a weak point on the defense, but this week it could very well be a strong point. If Houston is without both Johnson and Jones, they’ll rely on veteran Kevin Walter to step in and help out. Houston tight end Owen Daniels (hamstring) is also listed as questionable for this week’s game, but it looks like he’ll be on the field when the whistle blows.
The Giants defense looks stronger each game. I haven’t decided if they finally understand the new scheme Perry Fewell introduced this year, or if they just decided to start playing. Regardless, they’ve looked better in each game and this one will be no different. I expect Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, Osi Umenyiora and Jonathan Goff to put some serious pressure on quarterback Matt Schaub. If they can do that, Schaub will be forced into making decisions he won’t like, opening up space for Deon Grant and Antrel Rolle to grab some picks.
Don’t get me wrong here, Houston has the second ranked offense in the league and they’re not going to be easy to defend. Getting through that line to put pressure on Schaub will be no easy task, but as banged up as the receivers are, the Giants have the upper-hand in that match-up. They still have to find a way to contain Arian Foster since the Texans will look to use him more if Johnson and Jones can’t go. But, this defense definitely deserves more credit than they’ve been given this season. I believe that, tomorrow, they may finally convince everyone of that. They allow a mere 257 yards per game. That’s good enough for 7th in overall defense in the NFL, one spot ahead of the touted Pittsburgh Steelers.
The bottom line is this: The Giants defense needs to stop the pass and the offense needs to throw the ball. It’s time for Eli Manning to step up and lead the team down the field.
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2. when I logged on this morning and saw the thread “Shawn Andrews to start” I almost had a heart attack. Could it be that Coughlin and Gilbride were making an unforced in season changed based on on the field results? It seemd so improbable that it shook the very foundation of my existence. Then I got to Krow’s post at the bottom and realized the article was saying he would start in 2014!! Phew.
-ish. No guarantees.
3. Serena how could you close your article mentioning the opportunities a giant pass rush might mean for the giant safties and not mention Kenny? Are you sure he’s a sit-down for Sunday?
4. Serena, you also gave no love to Mario Manningham. I’m assuming that is because all peopel named Mario are feared and hated this week. But he is our Mario, and up until last week, he’s been our most productive receiver (and if Eli doesn’t badly underthrow him twice against Chicago he may still have been)
5. Points 3 and 4 above are legacies of my years coaching pop warner football. after every game I did the write up and it was deemed critical to name every boy in every write-up. my last year I had a 28 boy roster. that was an art form, let me tell u.
6. I know a lot of you guys hate Chris Collingsworth as an announcer. I find that a bit odd as I think he displays more knowledge than most when he announces and doesn’t try to “sell” the game when it is junk. That preface is meant for this: his take last week on Hakeem Nicks should have us all salivating. CC marveled time and again at Nicks ability to locate the ball and while in the act of catching begin making his next move. That description reminds me of the way OJ Simpson used to describe his running: I never thought about the guy in front of me, he I already had beaten, I was always focused on the next level behind. (He probably said it in ways that foreshadowed his later murderous behavior but you get the point). Every week it gets more and more exciting watching Nicks play. Every touch has the chance to break big.
and finally, in the sentiment of “how far we’ve come”, Serena writes: I expect Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, Osi Umenyiora and Jonathan Goff to put some serious pressure on quarterback Matt Schaub.
Jon Goff? pressure on the qb? really? I know he had the one almost kind of very expensive sack-forced INT-15 yard double personal foul play last week, but is he really who we are looking to and expecting to generate pressure? I’m thinking insert Canty, JPP, Boley, even Sintim before Goff — when it comes to QB pressures
sorry for these double posts. I swear Im pushing the enter key but once
Nicks has the “feel” and anticipation” that make it tough for a DB to decide which way he is going. It comes into play when he “sits down” on a pattern.
When his back is to the defense. It’s an ability not unlike that of an elite basketball player who excells with his back to the basket.
Based on his body movement you have dont know which way he is going.
Akeem Olajuwon, Elvin Haynes, Oscar Robinson Marcus Johnson and Walt Frazer had that skill. (there were others)
With running backs OJ, Barry Sanders, Emmit Smith; It was vision combined with cat quick reflex. In OJ’s case add speed.
Some QB possess the talent. Peyton, Brese, Vick (to the 10th power).
But they more or less have their attackers in their field of vision.
It is remarkable for a receiver, because he must look the ball into his hands.
But there are a few, who take the catch for granted, and are mentaly working out their next move, based on what they feel. The trick?
It all takes place in tenths of a second. Players like that operate at a different speed (mentaly and physicaly) than “other” people. “Dont try this at home”.
I thought I would post something so that Jim doesnt **** the board – I mean enough posts and we will start to believe in you Jim , and we cant have that can we ?
As far as Andrews playing , whats the problem with using him or another lineman as the TE as we have with some success so far ?
I was reading the posts about censorship and rights etc . I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in there . I spent my formative years outside the US and , although Ive been here for many years , I still marvel that people hide behind individual rights to explain or even excuse behavior . Im allowed to do it because the Constitution says so is a childish excuse to get on here and curse and yell if the parameters say no . Its simple , there have to be rules and they are governed by the best interests of the people with the greatest say in the matter . If you dont like the rules – DONT PLAY –
It comes down to the old schoolyard saw – its my ball – its my rules
True dat….
Gee – Im not even sure I remember what got bleeped , I can assure you that wasnt anything remotely censorable I thought .