Big Blue Notes

There was a lot of uncertainty coming into this season for the Giants.  Some people had them playing miserably and finishing last in the division and others had them making it into the playoffs.  The reality is they could have gone either way and, given their recent past, they still could.

The Giants have turned out to be better than their detractors would have had us believe.  After the 0-2 start, we were looking at who would get drafted as the next franchise quarterback.  They Giants won six in a row and life was good.

Last week was a test, a measurement.  What we learned last week is that the Giants are not the best team in the NFC.  They are not at the level that the Cowboys and Packers are.  That's no sin for a team that was hard to figure going into the season.

As the Giants go to Detroit they will be measured again.  This week should teach us if the Giants are a solid playoff team, a second tier team.  Detroit, like the Big Blue, has been surprising this year.  The winner of this game will have their season vindicated, the loser may begin the second half downward spiral.  Such is life in the 21st century NFL.

I like the Giants this week.  I think they will be able to move the ball against Detroit's defense.  Manning should bounce back to have a solid game.  My bigger concern is the defense.  If the Lions can protect Kitna, the Lions' receiver corps should be able to make some big plays.  I'm not as worried about Kevin Jones.  I'm looking for Kitna to be in plenty of third and long situations.

It is my feeling that the Giants will emerge from this battle of surprise teams to continue on into the playoffs.  It won't be a breeze, but they should win. 

Giants 27  Lions 20

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