Giants Aim to Break Losing Streak Against Bolts
Big Blue looks to correct mistakes vs. Chargers
Posted on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 6:00 PMCan you imagine how bad things have gotten for the Giants when their head coach, Tom Coughlin, suggested to me this week that getting off to a good start will be key?
In fact, Coughlin even admitted that he hopes his team wins the coin toss, just so they can get back on the winning track.
After losing three straight games, I think the Giants coach agrees that his team is better suited to play with a lead. Big Blue found themselves down 16-0 to Philly last Sunday, and it's becoming apparent that coming from behind is not a strength for this team.
The 5-3 G-Men have lost confidence, especially on defense. Allowing the 4-3 Chargers to start strong on offense by scoring on their opening drive could send the Meadowlands into a panic after the recent performances from the Giants' D.
Something that will help the Giants defensively would be a pass rush against San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, who would like nothing more than to out-duel his 2004 first-round draft pick counterpart, Eli Manning. The Giants have racked up just 19 sacks, compared to 30 last year. On Sunday, Rivers will pick the Giants apart if he's allowed to stand in the pocket untouched.
New York's rookie defensive coordinator, Bill Sheridan, must figure out a way to stop opponents in his unit's red zone from coming away with touchdowns. The Giants are at an NFL-worst 73 percent for the season in the red zone. This comes at a bad time for the Giants, with the Chargers coming off two straight wins and boasting a running attack that features LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles.
San Diego head coach Norv Turner must be licking his chops, looking at the Giants' rushing defense that is allowing 113 yards per game. Just think of how dangerous the play-action pass tight end Antonio Gates (37 catches, 523 yards, two touchdowns) and wideout Vincent Jackson (37 catches, 664 yards, five touchdowns) could be for an offense averaging 26 points per game.
What the Giants have to do is get back to playing a more conservative ball-control game against a Chargers defense that has given up 132 yards per game on the ground. That means Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will have to carry the load and restart the rushing attack.
The G-Men have been calling this week's game the most important of the season. One would tend to agree, with this being a home game and a bye looming next week. A fourth straight loss could completely crush the team's morale.
Controlling the game from the opening kickoff will allow New York not to press, and allow the team to play from ahead. Just hope, Giants fans, that your team wins the coin toss.
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