Some pregame thoughts before we begin our 4 AM trek to Metlife Stadium for tomorrow's battle for NYC.
G-UNIT: Have you seen the Giants injury report? Too many names to list, sure to have an impact. Biggest losses are TE Jake Ballard and WR Mario Manningham who were both vital parts of the Giants passing attack and key components to attack the Jets weakness --the middle of the field-- will sorely be missed. Both were needed to exploit the Jets inability to cover a TE and one-on-one coverage in the slot with CB Kyle Wilson. Now with Mannigham out, WR's Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will be forced primarily outside and into coverage against Revis and Cromartie. A healthy trio of receivers allowed to the Giants to disguise their formations with multiple looks often times creating vertical mismatches. Ballard was a security blanket for Manning when facing pressure. Advantage Jets.
ELI-TE: A lot was made this pre-season when Giants QB answered a question truthfully and declared himself to be an elite QB. He was right. For 2011 Eli is a top 5 QB. Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Roethlisberger, Manning. That's the top 5. Manning is an excellent deep ball passer and is a threat to drop a bomb on any play. When given time he gets comfortable in the pocket and complete throws against any coverage. When pressured he has a tendency to throw off his back foot and is prone to turnovers, both on bad interceptions and costly fumbles. However, in the 4th Qt and in 2 minute drive situations he has a knack for making plays even when facing pressure. Give Eli an opportunity and he will drive a stake in your heart.
GIANT WOES: With so many weapons at the skill position most fans wonder why the Giants struggle to move the ball so often at times. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and the Giants offensive line is that link. An unhealthy combination of injuries and Father Time have taken its toll on the men entrusted with protecting Manning. Look for David Baas to return at starting center for the Giants. This is an area the Jets must exploit by shutting down the Giants running game and generating pressure on Manning.
VERY SPECIAL FIGHT: Simply put both teams stink on special teams. Both teams turn the ball over, with the Jets leading the way, and both teams take dumb penalties. Former Jets P Steve Weatherford gets to show why the Jets brain-trust made an off season mistake going with the unproven TJ Conley. We give the Jets a slight edge here because we expect them to pop at least one good return. Of course they could also fumble at any given moment. We would be happy if they just called fair catch and won this game with their play-makers, but then we wouldn't be able to notice Jets ST coach Mike Westhoff.
#GREENIT: The Jets hit the Twitterverse and social media landscape this week with a campaign to get fans to pledge to wear green tomorrow. Of course Rex will be wearing his black vest and they will be handing out white towels, but you get the point. The Green that really matters is worn by Jets RB Shonn Greene and his ability to take advantage of a Giants team that doesn't like to tackle. The Jets need to use Green out of the backfield on screen passes to neutralize the Giants edge rushers at times and his ability to control the line of scrimmage on the ground could be they key to who wins this game. The Jets need to find a way to block #90 Jason Paul Pierre. They know he is coming so they better prepare.
PREDICTION: We expect the Jets to take advantage of a depleted Giants unit, especially their defensive secondary. There will be plenty of plays available for Sanchez to make as long as he avoids the killer turnover. Holmes, Burress, Keller, Kerley will all have opportunities to break a tackle and go for six. We expect the Giants to make some plays and keep it close, but talent will win the day. JETS 27 GIANTS 20
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