Dr Z's Position Matchups

Dr Z has posted a positional breakdown of Pats-Giants over at SI.com: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/dr_z/01/29/matchups.offense/index.html?eref=T1

I think he did a tremendous job. It's pretty rare that a national media member gives us such an in depth analysis. Here is an example of the breakdown at LCB:

"Aaron Ross (31)
Has been hurt late in the season and in and out of the lineup, which is the only reason I'm not giving him the edge. A good, active coverage man, but a rookie, and Brady likes to work against those. Usually lines up on the slot receiver."

Now this is against Asante Samuel, which if he just used the conventional wisdom like most of the media does, then he would never even consider that Ross might be as good as Samuel.

Overall the Pats O gets a pretty big edge over the Gmen (not surprising). He gives the Giants a slight edge on D and special teams with the Giants pretty close in the total tally.

Now I've been listening to WEEI (Boston) for the last few days and again and again they assume that the Pats talent level is A LOT greater than the Giants, often claiming that the Giants do not even have as good of talent as Dallas & Green Bay (even though we kicked their butts). As Giants fans we have known that this team has had the talent, but just couldn't put it together for various reasons (buying into TC, Eli's consistency, etc ...) and the talent base got a huge lift by the great draft by Reese. I think what everyone is going to realize after this game is that win or lose this team has the talent to compete with anyone and that this game is a closer matchup then most people think it is. Go Giants!!