Giants @ Browns: Week 6 Preview
Will Big Blue stay undefeated?
Posted on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 12:12 PMExpectations for the 4-0 New York Giants are getting higher by the week and their opponents are getting more desperate. And while the competition may seem a bit thin, games like these often turn out to be the most dangerous for NFL teams.
Will Big Blue be able to maintain their momentum against the struggling Cleveland Browns? Or will the Giants finally fall into that "trap" people have been talking about since Week Two?
1) GIANTS ON OFFENSE
After absolutely dominating the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday, the Giants are now averaging a robust 181.2 yards per game on the ground. And while their passing game is nothing to shake a stick at, New York will undoubtedly approach Monday night's game as they have all the others.
The Browns have given up an average of 126 yards per game on the ground, so look for Brandon Jacobs to have another monster day. The biggest obstacle he'll have to face is Willie McGinest, who is one of the few NFL linebackers, and actually has a size advantage over the 6-foot-4, 264-pound running back.
After Jacobs weakens the knees of Cleveland's 3-4 defense, Tom Coughlin & Co. will likely go to Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw to finish the job.
Barring something unforeseen, it should be a relatively easy day for Eli Manning. Assuming the offensive line can do what they've done all year, it's conceivable to think Manning will throw no more than 15-18 passes. And when he does actually dropback, he'll likely turn to Plaxico Burress, who will be matched up with the much smaller Brandon McDonald (5-foot-10, 184 lbs.).
2) GIANTS ON DEFENSE
Derek Anderson, who was an absolute stud in 2007, has fallen off the map in 2008. He's completed less than 50 percent of his passes, thrown six interceptions and been sacked eight times.
That's bad news for the Browns and their fans, because they'll be facing the No. 2 ranked secondary in the NFL.
That's right, folks. Not only do the Giants have one of the more devastating defensive lines in the league, outside of the Baltimore Ravens, they also have the best secondary around. And for a team that struggles in the air and their ability to protect the quarterback, it's exactly the opposite of what they want to see going into a "must-win" game on national television.
Both Aaron Ross and Corey Webster have developed into shutdown corners and may very well be the best combination that you rarely hear about. With Osi Umenyiora out for the season and Michael Strahan resting comfortably in the FOX studio, it's been their play that has allowed Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck to wreak havoc as they have.
Still, the Giants have exhibited one weakness over the last few seasons, and it's something that may come to the forefront on Monday night.
Of course I am talking about their inability to cover a quality pass-catching tight end.
It could be a big day – the first one of the year – for Kellen Winslow if New York is unable to slow him down. So keep a close eye on Kevin Dockery and the Giants' linebackers, as they try to correct one of their few problem areas.
3) GIANTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS
Will it be Lawrence Tynes or will it be John Carney? That's a question that may face the Giants every single week until they make a solid decision. However, at this point, there's a bit of a conundrum.
New York gave Tynes a solid contract in the offseason and expected him to be their kicker for quite some time, but Carney has come in and been perfect. And if you've been a Giants fan for any length of time, you know that finding a solid kicker – especially one that can perform in Giants Stadium – is not an easy thing.
Should Carney get the nod, working on kickoff length should be the primary focus. Should Tynes get the nod ... well, let's just say that'd be interesting.
NOTES:
Bottom line: It's all about physical football. The Giants are a much faster, much larger and much more aggressive team than the Browns. So long as they can maintain their composure and avoid overlooking an inferior opponent, they should dominate Cleveland like they did Seattle.
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