Post by plax on Sept 29, 2012 8:58:42 GMT -5
Sunday, September 30th ; 8:20PM EST ; Lincoln Financial Field
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Top 5 Players to Watch
New York:
5 - Osi Umenyiora - For 2 reasons. [1] The Eagles will make it a priority to cover and defend JPP,which will give Tuck and Osi more opportunities to get to Vick. And [2] Osi and McCoy are still biting at the bit, and we know McCoy will do this thing, but will Osi do his? He has to back up his talk and play for the money he wants next offseason, whether coming from NY or elsewhere.
4 - Prince Amukamara- Hosley is out this week with an injury, so Prince Amukamara will officially be getting his first start this week. Amukamara played his first ever game against PHI last year, in which he picked off Vince Young on a deep ball. Prince will have to show the ability that made him a 1st round pick last year, this week will be big in determining that.
3 - Ahmad Bradshaw - Bradshaw is probable to play SUN night @ PHI. Now, the Giants are facing a much tougher run defense than they have all year. But nevertheless, everyone saw Andre Brown find success behind the same line Bradshaw will be running behind this week. So if Bradshaw struggles, we could find out that AB might be the problem in the running game. Big game for him.
2 - Victor Cruz - Hakeem Nicks will probably sit this week [again], so another big week for Cruz must be present. Cruz had his way with PHI last year, and against PHI is actually where the birth of Cruz was born. Who is going to cover him? Nnamdi? DRC? Regardless, I think Cruz has a big game and gives some opportunities to the WR across from him (Hixon/Barden).
1 - Eli Manning - Surprise, surprise. Eli will always be the player to watch in NY, as the team's success rides on him and his play. Eli has not faced a tough pass defense since DAL, their only loss, so it will be interesting to see how they attack PHI. Also, how will he attack Nnamdi, as he has been struggling.
Philadelphia:
5 - Demeco Ryans - Ryans has been a pleasant surprise for PHI after trading for him in the offseason. He has been one of their best players consistently, and has a big task this week to defend the Giants revitalized run game and Martellus Bennett, who has posted 3 TDs in 3 games this year. He must step up this week.
4 - Trent Cole- Cole has always had success against the Giants, and he will have to again if he wants PHI to have a shot as this game. Eli dominated CAR last week as he had time to throw. If Eli can sit in the pocket this week and make throws, PHI will almost have no shot as winning. Cole is key to PHI having a shot as this game and winning.
3 - Nnamdi Asomugha - Nnamdi has been dreadful this year. He got beat consistently by Boldin and Smith in BAL, and against Fitzgerald in ARI.He is supposed to be a top man corner in the league, so why is he blaming safeties for not helping him over the top. He is supposed to stick with the no.1 man all the time. If he does not do this, he is not being used to his strengths. Now he has Cruz, who had his way with NA last year. Big game for Nnamdi.
2 - Michael Vick - Man, has he been struggling. Sometimes he is holding the ball too long. Sometimes he is making bad decisions. Sometimes he is just playing bad all-around. He NEEDS to make a statement this week, or else the talks about Nick Foles taking the helm could heat up and come true.
1 - Demetress Bell - Normally, I would put Vick here, but Bell is going to have the task of containing Pierre-Paul. And knowing that the PHI Oline is struggling as it is, he will need to have an all-star kind of game to give Vick time to make plays - as he has been struggling too.
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Keys to the Game
New York:
3 - Release the Hounds (on Vick) - Michael Vick has struggled big time so far this year. Luckily for him, PHI was able to pull a comeback weeks 1 and 2. However, week 3 was a different story. ARI pressured him, and Vick showed shaky play. The Giants can pressure Vick, and if they do, the Giants can have a big day.
2 - Bring me back to life [NYGs run-offense edition] - Andre Brown has sparked a bit of life on what the Giants love most - running the ball. We know have Ahmad Bradshaw back, and David Wilson is improving every week. We can have a 3-headed attack at RB if they can all produce and find the right holes. If we can run successfully, we can be a top O in the league (if not already).
1 - Easy E - As every week, the Giants rely on Eli Manning to give them a win, and it is not changing this week. PHIs D has been struggling, while NYs O has been striving. Eli can potentially have a career game if he does his thing and makes good throws. We will see.
Philadelphia:
3 - Give Vick help - Yes, Vick has struggled, but the rest of the offense has not been much help either. Catch a couple of short balls first to give Vick confidence, and let him loose to make some plays. That worked for PHI last year, it seemed.
2 - Play some D - the PHI has been good, but at times they look sloppy, such as blowing coverages. Get the ball back to the explosive offense, and good things can possibly happen.
1 - Follow the Gameplan - Last week at ARZ, I saw the Eagles passing it heavily in the first half, and then in the second half, when they should have passed more to try and come back, they are running the ball without a care in the world. McCoy is your top gun, use him early and a lot. Let him set the tempo. Not Vick.
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Plax's Prediction:
Stat Predictions:
Eli Manning - 346 passing yards, 3 TDs.
Ahmad Bradshaw - 15 ATT, 68 rush yards. 2 REC, 23 rec yards. 1 TD.
Andre Brown - 11 ATT, 54 rush yards, 1 TD.
Victor Cruz - 8 REC, 108 rec yards, 1 TD.
Ramses Barden - 6 REC, 92 rec yards. 1 TD.
Domenik Hixon - 4 REC, 52 rec yards. 0 TDs.
Martellus Bennett - 7 REC, 89 rec yards, 1 TD.
Defense:
Sacks: Jason Pierre-Paul x1.Osi Umenyiora & Linval Joseph x1
TOs: Corey Webster INT. Kenny Philips INT.
Game Expectations:
As always with NYG/PHI games, it will be ruthless, it will be physical, it will be good. Both teams will do their thing, but I just feel that the Giants have too much momentum coming into this game, with PHI having not a lot of it. the Giants will establish a running game, and that will open up the passing game a great deal. I think the Giants come on top in the battle of the NFC East.
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