N.Y. Relies on Manning, Run Game
Giants Must Control Clock, Avoid Mistakes to Upset New England
Patriots will try to stop New York's rushing attack, force Eli Manning to beat them in the passing game as they chase Super Bowl XLII title and date with history.
The New York Giants haven’t scored more than 24 points in any of their three postseason contests, but they’re 3-0 and have the opportunity to pull an upset that rivals the Jets’ stunning victory over Baltimore in Super Bowl III.
New York’s defense has proved stout, stopping the NFL’s Nos. 2 and 3 attacks in Dallas and Green Bay, respectively. However, the Giants must continue their nearly error-free offensive ways if they have any hopes of ending New England’s historic chase for a 19-0 mark in Sunday’s 42nd battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
That starts and ends with quarterback Eli Manning, whose leadership, game management and crucial plays in the passing game have lifted the Giants from a No. 5 seed to Cinderella qualifiers.
Manning has completed 62.4 percent of his attempts and four touchdowns in three postseason outings, but most importantly, he hasn’t been intercepted and has avoided the catastrophic turnovers and decisions that have marred his career in the Big Apple.
He and the team also gained confidence in their Week 17 showdown against the Pats in the Meadowlands, a 38-35 New England victory in which Manning tossed four TDs, all of them in the red zone.
His top targets have been wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, who’ve combined for 31 catches and 390 yards. Toomer had three scores, while the 6-foot-5-inch Burress creates tremendous matchup problems and almost single-handedly torched Pro Bowl cornerback Al Harris in the Giants’ 23-20 overtime upset of the Packers in the NFC Championship game.
That means Pats cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs will no doubt receive double-team help from their safeties or linebackers against Burress and potentially open up Toomer, tight end Kevin Boss and third receiver Steve Smith while preventing New England from ganging up to stop New York’s running game, especially safety Rodney Harrison.
That’s where bruising Brandon Jacobs and super quick Ahmad Bradshaw come in. The Giants had the fourth-best rushing game during the regular season and their dynamic duo have combined for 318 yards and helped them control the clock, something that’s vital against the high-powered Pats.
New England’s front seven must come up with big stops like it did against San Diego. That starts with end Richard Seymour and blitzing linebacker Mike Vrabel, who must force Manning into mistakes and help keep the Giants from getting to the edge in the running game.
The key will be whether New England can stop the run without committing too many defenders, so linemen Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren and linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau must perform well. That will allow the Pats to keep Burress, who’s been slowed by ankle and knee issues during preparations, from creating too many big plays and keeping his promise of a 23-17 New York win.
