Since bloggers even work on Christmas, here's Ernie

by Ed Valentine on Dec 25, 2009 9:00 AM EST in New York Giants News

Just because it is Christmas Day that doesn't mean Ernie Palladino and I are going to change the schedule for our weekly roundtable. Here are Ernie's answers to our weekly questions. As always, mine can be found over at Ernie's Giants Beat.

1. OK, ask the question again. Do the Giants make the playoffs?

Ernie's Answer: First of all, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. And you should only hope the Giants don't go into that sweet good night after Sunday. Lose to the Panthers, and it would take a real Christmas miracle to get them into the playoffs. But realistically, I think they'll beat the Panthers, and then have a 50-50 shot to beat the Vikings. The way I figure it, both the Packers and the Cowboys are going to take a loss. But between the two, I believe the Cowboys have a better chance of losing than the Packers. And that might just come in their finale against the Eagles which, if I'm not mistaken, will be played at the same time as the Giants-Vikings game. Nothing like a nailbiting scenario on the last Sunday of the year, right? Now, the question is whether the Giants can beat the Vikes. In all likelihood, they'll need that game. But the Vikings could be playing for home field advantage throughout the playoffs, so they'll compete for real. What should give you hope is that Carolina just beat them, so why not the Giants? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the Cowboys open the door for them, and the Giants walk through it. And wouldn't you like to see Jerry Jones' face when that happens?

2. Was the pass rush that produced five sacks against the Redskins real, or was it a one-game mirage?

Ernie's Answer: You'd like to think that unit has turned a corner, but I'm reluctant to do so. First of all, they were going against a Washington line that had played well despite fielding seven different lineups. Common sense tells you that with that many changes -- they had their eighth different alignment going Sunday -- something was going to snap, and it turned out to be Jason Campbell's pass protection. The Panthers are in a similar situation with replacements at both tackles, and the right tackle, Geoff Schwartz, is making only his second start this week. They do, however, pick up the blitz a lot better than the Redskins, and quarterback Matt Moore does a good job of moving around in the pocket. So I'm not anticipating a duplication of last week's effort. However, if they can charge the "A" gap like they did against the Redskins, guys like Jonathan Goff and Justin Tuck might be able to get sufficient pressure on Moore to force him into some mistakes. That would be just as good as sacks. I'm not that confident that Osi Umenyiora is going to get to Moore as he got to Campbell for three hits and a sack, but you never know. He's probably tired of getting pushed around all year.

3. The offense has put up 30 or more points in four of the last five games. Is it Eli, or is it Gilbride?

Ernie's Answer: Oh, it's Eli. Gilbride can call all the plays he wants, but unless Manning puts the ball on the money, his receivers aren't going to have a chance to catch it. And Manning has been on target if he's been anything these past few games. In four of the last six games, his quarterback rating has been 111.5 or higher, and the last two have been close to perfect. In the two games against Philadelphia and Washington, he's gone 46-of-64 for 659 yards and six touchdowns against no interceptions. That's elite throwing, right there. And that's despite Manning seeing a lot of pressure from the Eagles' pass rush. Now, let's give Gilbride some credit here for smoothing out that run-pass ratio that was so lopsided earlier in the season. That always helps to keep defenses honest. And it has become invaluable in the offense's effort to move the ball downfield and get that Red Zone scoring up. It's no coincidence the Giants ran 31 and 30 times those two games, while Manning passed 38 and 26 times. But again, if Manning hadn't been as accurate as he has despite December weather that has always proved vexing to him, the offense would not be operating at the efficiency it is now.

4. How shocking would it be if Carolina wins Sunday?

Ernie's Answer: I wouldn't be shocked. Maybe mildly surprised. This has been such an up and down season that the Giants could well come out flat despite the historic nature of the game (the final Giants game at Giants Stadium) and the playoff implications. We've seen it happen before this season. Plus, they haven't won back-to-back games since the five-game win streak that started the season. But I'm not really expecting that. Between all the factors involved, I believe the Giants will crank it up and put on a strong showing and jump to 9-6. And then they'll louse it all up in Minnesota to finish 9-7 and, probably, out of the playoffs.

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Merry Christmas Ed and Everybody...

Well..Another annual witnessing of the Kids gift opening “Shark Frenzy” has subsided, yet I still must look like Wiley Coyote and in fact have several more “ACME” products to assemble..Many thanks to you and Ernie for staying with the schedule..Nice break for me!..lol.
Anyhow, I am very concerned about Ross and Webster being doubtful. Smith could have a field day without them suited up and able to go..So, hopefully our pass rush was not an anomally and they’ll be snorting smoke again this week..and our guys need to keep Peppers at bay.
I think the Favre controversy and the fact that their O-line play has been weak of late could open the door for us to beat them.
I expect Dallas to drop one of their final two, and agree that the Packers will most likely lose to the Cards as long as Whisenhunt keeps his promise and plays his starters.
Anyway, Ernie is right..We have some nail-biters the next two weeks..But what else is new?..We root for the Giants…

by Bobbiblue on Dec 25, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Indeed, Blue

When do the Giants ever make it easy on us? It is part of what we live with.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 25, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

merry christmas

Happy holidays to all ! I for 1 think the giants limp in then, make a strong push…I’m just hoping that if we get philly in the playoffs we will dbl D Jackson…we win that 1st playoff game…I see an nfc championship game…I will be at the game…endzone seats bye the tunnel..thanks santa !

i dunno maybe I just like the colors

by Mr.Williams on Dec 25, 2009 11:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions

All I Want

For Christmas is the Giants to finish 10-6, but I agree with a 9-7 finish.

by RickJS on Dec 25, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions

Merry

Christmas to all. Believe the Giants beat Carolina. Worried about Vikings for Favre always seems to play his best when under attack from media and fans. Hopefully the pass rush will be there for our weakened secondary. I know Peppers is good, but I think Vikes O-line is weaker than the Giants so maybe he won’t be getting to often to Eli. My wife is calling….I have to go fry a turkey.

by Jolly on Dec 25, 2009 12:22 PM EST reply actions

Jolly...you must have too much Rum in your Egg-nog..LOL!!!

Peppers plays for Carolina..Don’t feel bad though, After last night I thought Sonny Jergenson was going to start for the Skins Sunday night..hahaha..
I love frying a turkey…I used to use an oil fryer, but then learned about this oil-less propane fryer from Char-Broil called the Big Easy, so I bought one and it is awesome..Cooks just as fast, plus you can fry roasts, etc.. in it..No more oil to worry about..Anyway have a good day…and enjoy that Fried Turkey..The only thing that beats that is the Giants winning out..

by Bobbiblue on Dec 25, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

God Jul

My take is that they have not proven they are, consistently, hungry enough (although a shift in attitude can do wonders); nor have the coaches planned for their opponents strengths and weaknesses. The result: a “surprised and un-prepared” Giants Team.

That is the million dollar question: Was the Redskins game a glimpse of what we can EXPECT to see for the remainder of the season, or, likening it to the rest of the season, the inevitable part of this roller-coaster ride. Time will tell.

Thanks for taking the time out today Gentlemen!

Go Gmen

by giants013 on Dec 25, 2009 12:28 PM EST reply actions