THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT!

No mystery here, like I stated here just Friday afternoon, turnovers and special teams are the key to the playoffs.

2 missed field goals that made it a 2 score game changed the way we played offense in the fourth quarter.  Having to go for it on 4th down twice, instead of punting and pinning the Eagles deep.  The first interception that gave them their first 7 points was a killer.  

The defense was fabulous and deserved better.  The offense seemed to get away from the run too early.  I think the key play actually was after the Robbins interception Jacobs ran the ball for 11 yards and then 5 yards.  He is then taken out of the game, and replaced by Ward.  However they split Ward out and leave no backs in the backfield, so no need to worry about the run, and only have to cover short.  Incomplete pass makes it 3rd and 5.  We put ourselves into 3rd and long. When your back is averaging 5 yards a carry, and he gets 3 by falling down on almost every play, why change it up just to limit yourself on third down.

Not very good play calling or execution.

Good news is we get Osi back on defense which is better than a number 1 pick in the draft because he already has experience.

Need to sign Jacobs and find a big receiver.

This has been fun and I hope informative also.

See you next year!

FIRST STEP

The GIANTS are completely healthy.  That is what the bye week does for you.  It gave them a chance to heal physically and rest mentally.  They had played 13 straight weeks, 10 of them against opponents with winning records.

Having Brandon Jacobs back at full strength and in full voice will be the key to this game.  Jacobs missed the last contest against the Eagles, and it was also the first week without Plaxico Burress.  You will see some different formations this week.  Things they have been saving, and things they have learned along the way.  In the Baltimore game the GIANTS lined up with 4 wide-receivers, and then ran the ball.  This week look for the 2 back 2 tight end formation, and pass plays instead of runs from that formation.  They will continue running from the shot gun formation also.  For the GIANTS, these are trick plays!  Look for Bradshaw and Ward to catch some screen passes to slow the Eagles blitzes.

The defense will also employ a few different looks.  Nickel and Dime defenses will be used often.  The thought of 3 safeties to help shadow Westbrook and get more quick rushers on McNabb.  I think you will also see a few zone-blitzes where the defensive linemen drop into covergae and clog some of the short passing lanes that Donovan used so effectively in Minnesota.

However, as we have stated all year long:  Be yourself....Run The Ball, be physical, keep field position, and no turnovers.  Special Teams and Turnovers decide the playoffs!

GIANTS favored by 4.......I hear it will be cold and snowy in the Meadowlands.  GIANTS weather.

NFC Championship game January 18th at 3:00pm Eastern.

LESSONS LEARNED

Picked 3 of 4 this weekend.  Only loss in overtime, so not too bad.

What did we learn this weekend?

Turnovers and Special teams are the most important statistics.  Field position, time of possession, and turnover ration will determine the winners in the next round.

Previews on Friday.

WILD WEEKEND

I doubt all 4 road teams will win this weekend even though they are all favored.

I think it's Peyton and Indianapolis.

Arizona at home

Philly on the road, but I'm rooting for Minnesota hard!

and Baltimore to put an end to the Dolphin dream season.

GIANTS will certainly earn their trip to Tampa this year if it falls the way I think it will.  They will have to defeat both Philly and Carolina.  A good year to have home field advantage.

I predict the Jets will wind up with Schottenheimer as their head coach.

Enjoy the weekend and we will break down the match-ups next week

PLAYOFF SEASON!

NEXT GAME: Sunday January 11th at 1:00 eastern.

It's all set!

Philly vs. Minnesota and Atlanta vs Arizona next week.

So this is the rule they should think about changing.  Arizona gets the home field and the higher seed even though they had less wins than Atlanta.  That could easily effect who we play in the Divisional series.  We will get the team with the "lowest" seed after next week.  It is feasible that the the two road teams will win next week and send Philly to the Meadowlands and Atlanta to Carolina.

Nice choke jobs by Dallas and the Jets.  Keep running your mouths and winning on paper.  

More tid-bits to come later this week

A GOOD WEEK TO DO NOTHING

This is an odd week for the GIANTS.  They play a Minnesota team that needs a win to make the playoffs.  A team they could very well meet in two weeks in the divisional playoff game in The Meadowlands.  The Giants, under Tom Coughlin, would never actually take a week off, that's not possible.  However the medical staff will recommending rest for some starters.  I expect Aaron Ross and Kevin Boss to be inactive.  I expect Brandon Jacobs to either be out or limited.  I believe Barry Cofield and or Fred Robbins to sit also.  Look for Eli and maybe even Hixon to take at least the 4 th quarter off on Sunday.  The Vikings are starting their Qb that started the season and was benched in week 2.  He is a running qb and has a week arm.  Look for the defense to stack the box and try and stop the league's top rusher in Adrian Peterson.  They will force Tavaris Jackson to throw it and beat them through the air.  Not much will be shown this week by the GIANTS as far as exotic defensive schemes or trick offensive plays.  The possibility of seeing each other again soon will preclude them from showing too much.

Here are the things to watch for this weekend around the league.

Dallas vs. Philly.   Dallas wins and they are in.  They will be the 6 seed and play in Arizona in the first round.

Carolina vs New Orleans.  Carolina's loss to the GIANTS was huge.  They were playing for the #1 seed and if they lose this game they will fall tot he 5th seed, lose the bye week, and have to travel and play week 1.  This will vault Atlanta to the 2 seed, give them a first round bye, and home field until the Championship game.

Minnesota favored by 7 points.  

Heard of a new company today with an interesting idea.  It's called firstdibz.com.  Basically it is a ticket outfit that takes bids to purchase tickets at face value for playoff and championship games.  If you win the bid, and your team gets to the game, you have the right to purchase tickets at face value.  However, if your team does not make it to the game, they keep your bid money.  It's like betting on whether your team will make the big game or not.  An interesting idea.  

1986- The mighty Giants defeat the Green Bay Packers 55-24 to finish the season at 14-2.  They are the #1 seed and have home field throughout the playoffs.  Giants led 21-20 at halftime.

1990-The Giants travel to New England and beat the Patriots on a grey rainy uninspired afternoon by the score of 13-10 to finish the season 13-3.

2007- The GIANTS play their most important and inspirational game of the year losing to the New England Patriots 38-35 proving to themselves that they could play with the "perfect team".  The Giants were in this game throughout and played far from mistake free.  They learned some important lessons about how they could dominate the offensive line of the Pats and that Tom Brady really didn't like being touched.

Enjoy the week and I will preview all playoff match-ups going forward.

#1 SEED

First mission accomplished!  Number 1 seed, bye week, home throughout the playoffs.  

The GIANTS got back to Giant football last night.  300 rushing yards from two backs, and strong stout defense when needed.

The game ball goes to the Pro Bowl punter Jeff Feagles.  Pinning the Panthers on their own one in the fourth quarter was the special teams play of the year.

Minnesota next week.  Players will be rested neither team may have any reason to play.

Preview on Friday.

Merry Christmas to all......This certainly was a nice present to get and give!