Let's preview tonight's New York Giants-Arizona Cardinals matchup in what has become our signature 'Kudos & Wet Willies' style.
There will be lots of 'Kudos' Monday if ...
- The Giants' pass rush, missing in action last week against New Orleans, re-discovers the path to the quarterback. That likely means more blitzing, but whatever it takes to help the secondary. The Cardinals offensive line has not been great, so perhaps the Giants can take advantage.
- The Giants remember who they are on offense. I don't care what the score was last week, seven carries for Brandon Jacobs means the Giants did not play their type of football. The deep shots down the field are nice, and we love when they work, but the Giants have got to get first downs and control the clock.
- Eli rediscovers the magic. Eli Manning was tremendous through the first give games. Last Sunday he was just a tiny bit off on many throws, resulting in some missed opportunities. Let's hope he is back on track this week.
- Domenik Hixon can figure out how not to be tackled by kickers. The only chink in Hixon's fabulous return game last weekend was twice getting tackled by the kicker. It would be nice to see him take one of those to the house.
- Corey Webster can control Larry Fitzgerald. I want to see C-Web chase Fitzgerald all over the field. I don't expect him to shut down the game's best wideout, but if he can minimize Fitzgerald's impact that would be huge.
There will be lots of 'Wet Willies' if ...
- The secondary continues to blow assignments. 'Bad, Bad C.C. Brown' made a season's worth of mistakes in coverage last week. Aaron Rouse has to get an opportunity if that continues.
- The defensive line doesn't play better. This is supposed to be the best unit on this team, and it really has not lived up to its billing. Against the run or the pass. Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka have to be more consistent. And someone in the middle -- Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield or Rocky Bernard, has got to become a run-stuffing force in there. Maybe rookie Clint Sintim, who is expected to be active this week, can provide a boost for the pass rush from the outside.
[NOTE: There will be an Open Thread later you guys can use to chat about the games throughout the day. Enjoy.]