A few years back, after the NFC Championship game of 2000, a friend and I took a small wooden sailboat equipped with a Vikings Sail and lit it on fire as we set it to sail in my swimming pool. A true Viking funeral performed for the benefit of our friend who was at the time the Special Teams coach for the Vikings. I believe we need to re-create this moment again Sunday afternoon. Of course this time it could be a double funeral for Brett and the Vikes, maybe Chilly would like to light the torch?
The Giants finish up week three of their survival tour this week. The good news is that Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks seem to be preparing to play. David Diehl also looks to return to the line up Sunday. The troops are healing and practicing just in time to make a stretch run, but this game cannot be overlooked. I know the Eagles are on the horizon, and that game will probably decide the division, unless the Cowboys or Bears do us a huge favor down the stretch. This game has to be won to set up that matchup the following Sunday at home. It is believed the Giants will need to win 3 of their last 4 to make the playoffs, and with a Christmas trip to Green Bay on the schedule, this one cannot be overlooked.
The Giants have faired well lately on offense despite being short players at key positions. Now that Eli has some of his favorite weapons back, the depth of this offense is incredible. Nicks, Hagan, Boss, Beckum, Smith, Manningham, and others have all contributed this year and have fought through adversity. Manningham was the "main" receiver last week and was supposed to be locked down by the Redskins. He caught some balls and contributed. All these guys have stepped up and it bodes well for the future. The backs and O-Line, no matter who is playing where, has also been magnificent. No sacks in 5 games, both backs rushing for over a hundred yards in a game, and putting points on the board can all be attributed to this teams effort. They should have no problem continuing their fine play against a weak Viking pass defense (12th in the league) and a surprisingly soft rushing defense. The Vikings brutal pass rush has been absent in many games this year, we need that trend to continue.
The Defense will be facing either and old statue at QB, or a mobile youngster who is prone to more than a few mistakes. Let's all remember that Jackson has been second choice for the Vikings for years behind anyone they could think of, even a 41 year old retired (three times) shadow of his former self. I loved Brett in Green Bay, and was looking forward to he and Michael Strahan being inducted into the Hall of Fame together, but that Brett is gone and this one really should forget his streak and go home.
Either way the Giants Defense will need to bring the pressure, cause turnovers like they did last week, and be ever so careful of the great Adrian Peterson. This will be a a good rehearsal for the speed of the Eagles coming next week. The Vikings have that same speed in Percy Harvin, when healthy, Sidney Rice and A.P. I'm sure Mr Fewell has a good plan in place, but it will have to be a good one to slow down this Viking offense. Turnovers, special teams, and limiting the big play will be the keys to this game.
If the GIANTS get through this road test, and they do have a small chip on their shoulder because of how they played in Minneapolis last year, they will have set themselves up for a great stretch run to the Division Title.
Sunday at 1:00 on Fox.........Enjoy!
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