NY Giants Renew Their 50+ Year Rivalry with Dallas

Dec 11, 2011

We all know where the GMen have been. They’ve hd more than their fair share of injuries; starting practically since the ink on the papers to end the NFL lockout was barely dry! They’ve also had one of the tougher stretches of any season in terms of competition. The opponents have been top flight. One would only have to look as far as the QB to realize that. Brady,Brees,Rodgers. With the exception of a forgettable defensive performance against the New Orleans Saints, Big Blue has been in every game until the final whistle. But a 16 game season is not long enough to correct competitive losses. The bottom line is the Giants are down to their last chances to make the playoffs. The path is still clear and still in their own hands. A reversal of the 4 game losing streak into a final 4 game winning streak would propel them into the postseason. This is the most straightforward route.

Here’s what needs to be done in tonight’s matchup in Big D. The Giants need to run the ball as well or better than they did last week against the undefeated Packers. The inju offensive line have given offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride the cause to revamp it. David Diehl moved back to LT but perhaps more importantly 2nd year player Mitch Petrus is the new LG. Also Kevin Boothe was inserted at center. This configuration yielded a bigger more powerful line that was able to push the Green Bay defensive line back and open up holes for RB’s Ahmad Bradshaw(back after missing 4 games) and Brandon Jacobs. But the Giants were also successful in the passing game. Emerging star WR Victor Cruz tallied his 5th 100 yard game of the season- a game shy of the team record. WR Hakeem Nicks caught 7 passes and scored 2 TDs last week.

On the other side of the ball the Giants will be without starters safety Kenny Phillips and defensive end Osi Umenyiora. Deon Grant figures to start for Phillips while Umenyiora’s absence will be filled by 10.5 sack and all around disruptive force DE Jason Pierre-Paul. Dallas QB Tony Romo was sacked 5 times last week by the Arizona Cardinals. He has been sacked 25 times in the 12 games that Dallas has played thus far. Therefore he can be pressured. The Cowboys seemed to give up on running the ball last week as featured RB DeMarco Murray only had 12 attempts for 36 yards. Big Blue’s defense will need to force Romo to throw so they had better challenge his favorite target TE Jason Witten in order to be successful. Dallas may be without 2 of their top 3 WRs as both Laurent Robinson and Miles Austin are questionable.

The Giants have the chance of dressing their full complement of offensive weapons as WR Mario Manningham is probable. If Eli Manning, as steady and elite a QB as anybody in the NFL, is given the benefit of having all of his offensive skill players, there is no doubt that the GMen will be victorious.