SHORT WEEK TO HEAL

Antonio Pierce, Eli Manning, and Shaun O'Hara.  Probably the worst combination of players to have listed on the injured list on short rest.  The leaders of both the defense and offense, and the center of the offensive line all missed practice this week with injuries.  This is a tough time of year for injuries, the decision of whether to miss a single game now, so that you don't miss 4 weeks later is one of the toughest a head coach and player have to make.  It doesn't help either that they lost on Monday.  They of course all want to play and get the taste of the Cleveland game out of their mouths.

San Francisco is a horrible road team.  The travel and the early start time just wreaks havoc on their team.  Their new quarterback this season has a good arm and is a fairly good runner.  Hopefully we will get some pressure this week and force him to pull it down early and run for his life.  Look for the same quick passing game, the same throws over the middle when Pierce vacates his spot to blitz, and the same shots down the middle of the field to a very very good tight end.  Frank Gore is a wonderful running back, and as always stopping the run will be paramount.

The GIANTS and their defensive coordinator need to find a way to change things up a bit.  They need to find new ways to pressure the QB.  They need to show more blitz and play coverage instead.  Last year they were so good at disguising where the pressure was coming from, this year it seems that opponents max protect and close ranks, not worrying about exactly where the pressure comes.

This will be a nice first test to see how they respond to adversity.  The remaining schedule is brutal and a nice shot of confidence would be nice this week.

GIANTS favored by 10-12

ENJOY!