After week 6 of the 2009 NFL season, there will be a maximum of two unbeaten teams in the National Football Conference (NFC) if the Giants at Saints does not culminate in a tie. The Minnesota Vikings, also undefeated, will be playing a tough Baltimore Ravens team, but the 5-0 New York Giants will head to the Superdome to take on the 4-0 New Orleans Saints at 1:00 pm this Sunday.
Giants' Accomplishments through Week 5
The 5-0 New York Giants have undoubtedly one of the strongest teams in the NFL this year, which is demonstrated by more than their perfect record. Tom Coughlin's team this season has achieved just under twice as many offensive yards as opponents have, 2 yards more per play on average, and 1285 total season passing yards (thus far), compared to the total 524 passing yards put up against the Giants in the first five games, indicating a superb New York passing game, and excellent coverage by the squad's secondary. The defense has come up with 14 sacks this season, although opponents' defenses have sacked quarterback Eli Manning only three times, and Manning himself has only a couple of interceptions on the season, and averages 8.5 yards per completion.
Saints' 2009 Accomplishments through Week 5
The New Orleans Saints had a bye week in week 5, but before that, they secured four wins and not a single loss. So far this season, the Saints have racked up 665 rushing yards, compared to 333 rush yards that their opponents have gotten while playing the Saints. Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas have combined for 441 rush yards, with 5.1 yards per rush, and 6.4 yards per rush, respectively, this season. Quarterback Drew Brees has also averaged 8 yards per completion, compared to the 6 yard completion average of opponents. The Saints' defense has also come up with 10 sacks this season, compared to the 4 times that Drew Brees has gone down at the hands of his opponents' defenses.
New York Giants at New Orleans Saints in Week 6 of the 2009 NFL Season
These two high powered teams should match up well, and the Giants' running back tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw has been great this year, but for this game it will be halved, as Bradshaw will be out with an injury. The Saints' own deep rushing game has also been superb this season. Both quarterbacks have also been excellent thus far, but each should face strong pressure from the defense of the opposing team. The Giants' two young receivers (Steve Smith and Mario Manningham) have been supreme catchers this year, and could give the Saints' secondary players a run for their money. However, Saints' tight end Jeremy Shockey has been making big plays this year, while receivers Marques Colston and Devery Henderson have been dangerous when catching deep balls from Drew Brees.
Roman Harper leads the Saints defense with 29 total tackles, although he has received much support from Scott Shanle, Jabari Greer, Jonathan Vilma, and Scott Fujita, all of whom also have over 20 tackles so far. Antonio Pierce, Michael Johnson, and Terrel Thomas have 31, 21, and 17 tackles this season for the Giants' defense, and each also has a sack.
the New York Giants at New Orleans Saints on October 18 is sure to be a top matchup in week 6 of the 2009 NFL season. The injury to Giants' running back Ahmad Bradshaw could be a difference maker in the football game.
