To get you ready for week 17, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the New York Giants/New England Patriots preview.2007 Records:
New York Giants: 10-5 (2nd in NFC East)
New England Patriots: 15-0 (1st in AFC East)
Last Game(s):
Giants 38 - Bills 21
Patriots 28 - Dolphins 7
When the Giants have the ball: Although the numbers don't fully support the theory, the New England Patriots do not have a solid run defense and that's where New York must focus. Although the Pats give up less than 100 yards per game on the ground, it's been proven repeatedly when a team attacks that area, they can move the ball. So if Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants really want to prevent history, they'll have to pound Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw (assuming he plays) all day long in attempt to not only get into the endzone, but to keep Tom Brady and New England's offense off the field.
For only the third time this season, Bill Belichick and the Patriots defense may be forced to alter their approach. Again, that's only assuming the Giants follow the gameplan laid out by the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens. If not, New England can just sit back and wait for Eli Manning to make a mistake ... or five.
When the Patriots have the ball: New England has arguably the greatest offense of all time, and along with the unbeaten record they are looking to set, Tom Brady and the Pats have several other records on the table that could be broken tomorrow night as well. However, if you look beyond the surface, this matchup isn't as favorable as it seems and the records may not be easy to come by.
Brady has done an excellent job picking apart zone defenses all season, but often appears human against anything else. Luckily for New York, they use more man-on-man and press coverage. And if the Giants are able to pressure Brady repeatedly, Sam Madison, Aaron Ross and the rest of the Giants secondary may actually be able to contain the Patriots high powered passing attack.
However, the Patriots range is immense, and one of New York's biggest weaknesses over the last two seasons has been the tight end over the middle. Should Belichick find his team struggling, that may be the place he opts to go. And unless the Giants suddenly have a plan to stop something they haven't been able to in two years, they could be in trouble.
The Edge: Experts, analysts and fans are always looking for the "edge" and what team has it. So, who has it this week? Well, it's hard to say. The Giants really have nothing to play for, while the Patriots are looking to make history. Unless Tom Coughlin comes out and plays his team for the entire sixty minutes in an attempt to prevent history, New England has the obvious edge.
Keep and eye on:
Sam Madison versus Randy Moss - Madison, like Moss, has turned back the clock this year. It has gone highly unnoticed, but he has played extremely well all season and will be in charge of shutting down the best wide receiver in the NFL tomorrow night.
Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan off the edges - How these two play will decide the outcome of the game. If the Patriots offensive line can contain them and give Brady time, it doesn't matter how good the secondary is (or has been) -- Brady will pick them apart. However, if they are constantly in his face, it will drastically change the complexion of this game.
Patriots front seven versus Giants offensive line - New England has seen some talented offensive lines, but what New York does in the running game will be unique to them. Chris Snee, Shaun O'Hara and company have developed into some of the best run blockers in the league. That said, they haven't quite faced a challenge like this before.
Note: There are so many story lines here; it's hard to pick one to focus on. Obviously the Patriots going for 16-0 is the biggest one, but there are others as well. Belichick returning to New York -- a place he admittedly loves; whether the Giants will rest players or not; what other records Brady and company will break and finally, Giants fans selling their tickets to Patriots fans.
There will be a lot going on tomorrow night in Giants Stadium.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
12-28-2007 @ 8:54AM
Hugo said...
come on giants! you can do it!!
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2321924
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12-28-2007 @ 10:34AM
FootballOnuts said...
The Key word here is YET.
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12-28-2007 @ 11:21AM
sorcere said...
"Unless the Tom Coughlin comes out and plays his team for the entire sixty minutes in an attempt to prevent history, New England has the obvious edge"
So *if* "the Tom Coughlin" comes out and plays for 60 minutes then you think the Giants have a good shot of winning huh?
If the Giants had their best day and the Pats had a mediocre day, the Pats would still win by 17.
Typical homerism, albeit amusing homerism.
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12-28-2007 @ 11:29AM
Angelia said...
People are acting as if Brady and Company are the second coming! Come on people. I will be so glad when this is over. AND I am NOT a Giants fan either. But you can bet I will be this weekend
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12-28-2007 @ 11:39AM
sorcere said...
@Angelia: "People are acting as if Brady and Company are the second coming!"
Some of you people act as if the Pats aren't one of, if not the best, of all time. Your dislike does not change that simple fact.
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12-28-2007 @ 11:42AM
Bill said...
Benton clearly hasn't watched or doesn't understand the Patriots
well--few analysts do.
It's not they're dominating on defense stuffing the run as
McGahee showed against Ravens or the pass as Feeley and the Eagles
showed. It's situational defense where the Pats excel.
For those who don't understand this concept check out the last couple
times the Ravens had the ball--McGahee got nothing. Check out the
last couple times the Eagles had the ball. Feeley intercepted.
Pats are outstanding at getting teams off the field on 3rd down
meaning they make the key play they have to make. Check the stats.
Are the Pats number one statistically on 3rd down defense? Pats are
#4 on defense in yards allowed and #1 in 3rd down conversions againat
at 32%.
Benton, please take note and do some homework.
Bill J
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12-28-2007 @ 12:43PM
sassieizme776 said...
I hope the Patriots DO NOT win on Saturday. But, it depends on how Eli plays and if the Giants can contain Randy Moss. However, Bill Belicheat is just that....a CHEATER! And had he not cheated earlier in the season against the COLTS, who knows what would have happened in that game. Also, they will always have that stigma attached to their record if the Pats do win Saturday. Gee, can you imagine John Kerry sending a letter to the Commission and demanding the SAINTS game be seen on Several of the major channels?? Of course not...The Saints are from the deep southern state, and he said when he ran for President, "he didn't need ANY of the southern states to win. HE WAS DEAD WRONG! Anyway, Bilicheat, hope your happy. We'd be 15-0 if WE knew the plays of the other team! The only thing I can say, you may win Saturday, but, remember, there was a team that came very close to beating the Pats and would have beat you, had time not run out. So remember, CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER and sorry to say, you will lose to the COLTS in the playoffs. Soo....Go GIANTS Go! beat belicheat!!!
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12-28-2007 @ 12:54PM
sorcere said...
@sassieizme776: Either your mommy doesn't know your on her computer or your off your meds. I'm leaning towards the former. Why don't you run along and go play outside while us adults carry on here. M'kay? Remember, drugs are bad m'kay?
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12-28-2007 @ 12:56PM
Dan Benton said...
Bill - Using situational defense as an example in those games doesn't prove a thing. 1) Those offenses are horrid and 2) You're assuming they'll do the same thing against the Giants.
The Pats are not good against the run, while the Giants are one of the best in the league at running the ball.
It's as simple as 2+2.
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12-28-2007 @ 1:00PM
riboy said...
The Patriots are the best team all-time and will never get the respect they deserve.It's the same old story,whinning crybabies always saying that they cheat.If Dallas were in the same position everyone would be on their bandwagon.It's ok Pats fans we know the Pats are the best,the rest of theses fools can keep crying no one is better and they know it.
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12-28-2007 @ 1:48PM
sorcere said...
@Dan Benton: "The Pats are not good against the run, while the Giants are one of the best in the league at running the ball."
Earlier in the year I'd agree, however Richard Seymore is, and has been, the key to the Pats ability to stop the run. He will now require double teaming.
Now that he's 100%, since returning from the PUP list, the Pats defense is playing very well against both the pass and the run. As evidenced by the last two games (against admittedly inferior opponents)
Run defense will not be an issue anymore IMO. We'll see of course but the Pats know how to play (and win) this time of year and I think any earlier weaknesses will be fixed.
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12-28-2007 @ 2:00PM
sorcere said...
*Seymour
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12-28-2007 @ 2:00PM
Bill said...
Situational football doesn't mean anything?
Pats are #10 in total rushing defense per game at 99.5 yards per
game. They were 94-95 yards a game in their Super Bowl years.
They beat Steelers 34-13 with Steelers rushing for 181 yards. They
beat Ravens 27-24 with Ravens rushing for 166. They beat the Eagles
31-28 with Eagles rushing for 52, They beat the Chargers 38-13 with
Chargers rushing for 52.
The point is the Pats win whether they give up 180 yards or 50 on the
ground because they get teams off the field on 3rd down,
situationally.
I realize few analysts seem to get this. I suggest you consult with
the only analyst who seems to understand the Patriots before you
blog, Boomer Esaison.
Bill J
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12-28-2007 @ 4:11PM
tobrien28 said...
The season isn't over yet. That is one of the reasons i laugh when people try to anoint the Pats the greatest team of all time. IF the Pats go undefeated, IF the Pats win the Super Bowl, then yes they will be the best ever, but they haven't even finished the regular season yet. Also, your point that the Pats win games where they get gashed in the running game because of "situational defense" is nuts. They won because of offense. Also they beat the Ravens and Eagles with clutch plays. Those aren't exactly the cream of the crop. If they have a bad day against Indy or Dallas or Jacksonville they won't be so lucky.
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12-28-2007 @ 4:38PM
Bill said...
"Nuts," huh?
Tobrien, explain to me why after being gashed most of the game by McGahee and Addai why their last two possessions neither could run the ball running out the clock?
Pats won Indy game with offense? Brady had less than 100 yards passing going into the 4th quarter.
Pats won Raven game with offense? Pats only had 326 yards total offense with the Ravens 376 and the Ravens were still held to 3 for 11 on 3rd down conversions. It means even when Pats couldn't move the ball they got the Ravens off the field in critical 3rd down situations.
Eagles had only 52 yards rushing losing 31-28....should the Giants follow the Eagle blue print as it's the Pat rush defense that's weak?
Football is mostly situational. Make the big plays stopping the opposition on 3rd down and you win as the talent is comparable and a play often means the difference between winning and losing.
I'll take Willie Parker running for 160 yards while beating Pitt 34-13 any day, wouldn't you?
Bill J.
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12-28-2007 @ 6:56PM
ant said...
Wow, MVN is in horrible shape without you and the crew Dan.. Where is Hazem anyways these days?
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12-29-2007 @ 8:48AM
Dan Benton said...
Ant - Click my name and it will lead you to the old crew.
Bill - I didn't say situational defensive statistics were useless. I suggest you read what I write fully and take it all in. Don't spin words, take it for what it's worth. If you want to prove a point, you can do so without mixing and matching to suit your purpose.
What I'm saying is you used two VERY poor examples that mean absolutely nothing in relation to this game. The Giants have one of the best run blocking offensive lines in the entire game with a bruising running back that the Pats haven't seen the likes of all season. And for that reason alone, you cannot ASSUME the outcome will be exactly the same.
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12-29-2007 @ 9:00AM
Barb said...
It's about time the Patriots get the kudos that have long been coming to them. GO PATS! ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPERBOWL WIN.
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12-29-2007 @ 9:36AM
Dave said...
All these haters....I'm an eagles fan, but I respect the Pats for what they're doing, and it would be fun to see history made I think too, go Pats!
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12-29-2007 @ 10:13AM
SGTMIKE132 said...
SASSIE---FAKE FANS OF FOOTBALL LIKE YOU SHOULDN'T POST UNTIL YOU KNOW THE RULES. YOU CAN LEARN THE RULES ON NFL.COM. MAYBE WATCH A GAME OR TWO AND THIS WILL HELP YOU NOT LOOK SO STUPID NEXT TIME YOU POST.YOUR IGNORANCE AND JEALOUSY OF THE BEST FOOTBALL TEAM MUST BE FRUSTRATING. GET SOME HELP....
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