So despite the fact that they have a short work week in which to prepare and a long flight nearly across the country, the Giants are hoping to use the momentum gained from their win into creating some much needed momentum as they get ready to finish up a three-game stretch against NFC East teams ten days after their game in Denver.
But before the Giants can batten down the hatches for that big three-game stretch, the can ill-afford to look past the struggling Broncos, who are likely to come at them with guns blazing.
"We know how much they are going to try and come out and get this win, especially in front of their home crowd on Thanksgiving," said Giants DE Justin Tuck. "They have lost four in a row. So I know how important this game is going to be for them and how hard they are going to come out and play."
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Pound the ball.
2. Double up Dumervil.
OLB Elvis Dumervil is leading the league in sacks with 12. Last week, LT David Diehl, who will face Dumervil, struggled against the Falcons speed rushers, so look for the Giants to double up on Dumervil on obvious passing downs.3. Eliminate the back-breakers.
Last week against Atlanta, the Giants barely squeaked by with a win. It shouldn’t have been that close as New York continuously shot themselves in the foot with stupid penalties that set the team back, especially in the first quarter.4. Pressure QB Kyle Orton.
Orton has a bad ankle injury that has limited what limited mobility he has. If the Giants pass rush can get to him consistently, and he will make mistakes, as against San Diego, Orton often tried to arm-throw his passes rather than stepping into them.
GIANTS INJURY REPORT
OUT: LB Antonio Pierce (neck); RB Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle/foot)
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: None
PROBABLE: QB Eli Manning (foot)
DENVER INJURY REPORT
OUT: T Ryan Harris (toe); RB LaMont Jordan (back)
DOUBTFUL: None
QYUESTIONABLE: None
PROBABLE: QB Kyle Orton (ankle); S Brian Dawkins (neck)
ACROSS THE FIELD: THE WAGOB WHEELS ARE FALLING OFF
"It’s a tough season," said McDaniels via conference call. "I think you don’t go into it expecting to deal with four-game losing streaks, but I don’t know if you go into it expecting to have six-game winning streaks, either. We play a good team every week, that’s how this league is. It’s a harsh league if you don’t play and coach as well as you can or as well as the other team on the other side of the ball coaches and plays."
Like the Giants did when they were struggling through a four-game losing streak, McDaniels said the only thing his team can do is continue to push ahead and work on correcting the issues that have sent them reeling.
"We have had a few here in a row that certainly hasn’t sat well with our team, me and our staff. I am eager to get back out there and coach again. The only way to get past these things is to work hard, try to put together a great plan, a great week of preparation and try and go out there and coach and play your best against another good football team," McDaniels said.
But it won’t be easy given the short work week. Even though the Broncos are playing at home, they have been outscored by opponents 93-77,; in their last two games, they were outscored 60-13. So all McDaniels can do in hopes of leading his team out of its funk is to try to cram as much of the key elements in this week as he can, and hope for the best.
"The demands on your time obviously are greater in a three-day preparation than it would be in a normal week. Your health of your football team, you don't have as many days to rest and rehabilitate from the physical game that you just played the prior Sunday. I think there are a lot of little things like that, but the good thing is both teams are going through the same thing, and we will be excited to play on Thursday."
Despite their lack of luck, McDaniels said he’s able to see the silver lining in the dark clouds. "I think the good thing is for a team in our situation, coming off a tough division game, is obviously we didn't play nearly the way we wanted to and on a four-game losing streak, we are eager to get back on the field and play again. This might be a good time for our team."
PERSONNEL-LY SPEAKING
T David Diehl.
CB Corey Webster.
Webster will probably be asked to cover the speedy Brandon Marshall, who with his long stride, can easily slip by defenders who lack that second gear. Webster will need to make sure he’s physical with Marshall at all times.S Brian Dawkins.
The Giants’ ol’ friend is back. The former Eagle, much like the Saints Darren Sharper, tends to eat Eli Manning alive, so Manning will have to continue to exercise control in the passing game and not try to force things , lest Dawkins jump a few routes and turn the Giants’ visit into a long, miserable evening.WR Steve Smith.
Smith will more than likely see Champ Bailey for most of the night. Bailey is probably one of the top shutdown corners in the league, so it will be interesting to see how well Smith fares against perhaps his toughest competitor to date.MOLLY’S PICK (7-3)
Molly is a very forgiving dog. Last week for example, I accidentally stepped on her paw when in her excitement, she got tangled up with my feet. She let out a rare yelp which of course3 immediately triggered that mothering instinct in me to make sure that I didn’t hurt her seriously.
Then there are the times when she has to be groomed. She hates it when we take her to the groomer, but there are certain things that she needs done (namely her nails being trimmed) that neither my husband nor I will touch out because we’re too concerned with cutting her quick by mistake. When we do take her to the groomer though, so long as she gets a hug and a small piece of chicken, all is forgiven.
That brings us to the holiday. This year I’ll be on the road for a couple of days, and my husband is going to his brother’s house sans Molly. Now we of course realize that she’s a dog and doesn’t know that Thursday is a holiday and such, nor does she realize that if we were home, she’d get a special Thanksgiving Day meal. But I suspect when she’s lying in her fort waiting for someone to come home on Thursday, she’ll forget about being left alone and will be happy to curl up on her mat with her toys while my husband puts on the Giants game.
That’s why she’s picking New York this week. She knows that my husband will want to be home in time to watch the game, and even though most of the day will be gone, she’ll get her special meal of a boiled chicken breast (her favorite) and some raw veggies.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
The Giants offense, which will face their fifth 3-4 defense this season, are 2-2 this season against 3-4 defenses, having defeated Dallas and Kansas City, and losing to Arizona and San Diego. However in their two losses, the Giants were only outscored by a combined total of eight points.
In their last four meetings dating back to 1992, the home team has emerged as the winner.
TELEVISION/RADIO COVERAGE
Play by Play: Bob Papa
Analyst: Matt Millen
WFAN (660 AM) will be carrying the game live starting with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. Russ Salzberg and Roman Oben will be handling the pre and post game show. Chris Carrino will call the game with Carl Banks providing the color commentary. Howard Cross will handle the sideline reporting.
