NY Giants set to take on the red-hot Buffalo Bills

Oct 15, 2011

The Giants are about as ready as they’ll ever be to take on the 4-1 Buffalo Bills. Once again the injury plagued GMen will call the numbers of some new starters/starters in different positions. Last weeks center,Kevin Boothe will shift over to RG in place of Chris Snee. This year’s primary blocking tight end, Bear Pascoe will return to fullback in place of injured rookie FB Henry Hynoski. This year’s strongside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka took snaps at his old DE position. DE Osi Umenyiora’s probable status as well as rookie LB Jaquan Williams’ strong play(he’s 2nd on the team with 33 tackles) has most likely put Kiwanuka back as a part-time DE.

The Giants offense tried to mount another 4th quarter comeback last week against the Seattle Seahawks but fell short. WR Victor Cruz, emerging as a trusted receiver for QB Eli Manning, slipped as he ran an arrow route inside the Seattle 3 yd line. The Giants were uncharacteristically inept in the “green zone” as Coach Tom Coughlin calls the area inside the opponent’s 20 yd line. Two penalties forced 1st and goal from the 10 yd line on one drive and the 12 yd line. On what amounted to be the Giants final drive of the game the offense became predictable. Former Giants great Carl Banks hit it right on the nose in his analysis on the Giants radio broadcast. Considering that the Giants had three timeouts left they should run the football “instead of running a predictable pass play,” he said,according to nydailynews.com. The result of a 3rd attempt in a row to Cruz the pass was picked and taken back for a dagger of a TD by Seattle.

I can’t sugar-coat this. This is Week 6. The feasting part of the schedule is just about over. Yes Buffalo is a 4-1 football team,winning games despite giving up 450 yds plus per game over their last 4 contests, but they are beatable. The latter part of Big Blue’s schedule, specifically the last 9 games versus bearcats like New England in Foxborough, San Fran out west,the underachieving Dream Team Eagles,down in the Bayou vs the Saints, home vs the champs GB,a game vs division leading Washington, Christmas Eve against fellow Met Life Stadium tenants the J-E-T-S, and two games against the hated Cowboys has got to be the toughest “2nd place” schedule in the history of competitive sports!

Giant opponents have been able to gain big chunks of yardage on first and second down via the run mostly. If they even get to third down it is for a manageable number. The Giants defense must tighten up against the run. Backs like Hightower,Wells, and Lynch have been running all over Big Blue. The Bills’ Fred Jackson can’t end up on this list. If he does the Giants will be 3-3 with a huge mountain to climb!!!