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How the Arizona Cardinals match-up with: the New York Giants (Week 7)
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New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 7 - @New York, Giants Stadium
Sunday, Oct. 25, 8:20 PM ET, NBC *Sunday Night Game
All-time series: NY Giants 79 - Arizona 41, 2 ties
Last 10 games: NY Giants 6 - Arizona 4
Interesting Stat: The first game between these two teams was played in 1926, when the Cardinals were still in Chicago. The Giants won that game 20-0.
Quarterback
Giants - Well, this one's easy. Eli Manning is and will be the Giants starting quarterback for the next 52 years. And even if he does go down with an injury, David Carr isn't a bad back-up. I don't see any problems here for the Giants.
Cardinals - Kurt Warner gets to play against the team that started his mighty comeback to football...and then took it away again by replacing him with an unproven, inexperienced young gun named Eli Manning. And why was Warner replaced? Because he lost to the lowly Arizona Cardinals.
Edge: Cardinals, but this is debatable - ask a Giants fan, and they'd probably say Manning. They're both great field generals.
Running Back
Giants - Brandon Jacobs ran for over 1,000 yards last year behind a pretty solid offensive line, and the guys blocking for him should be even better this year, so look out - I won't be surprised if he hits 1,400 or 1,500 yards. Relieving Jacobs from time to time will be the speedy Ahmad Bradshaw, who is dangerous, but not deadly. Behind those two is a host of guys battling it out, including the Giants fourth round draft pick, Andre Brown from NC State. Needless to say, if Jacobs is healthy, there is little to worry about at running back.
Cardinals - Until we get to see Chris "Beanie" Wells run in training camp and in the preseason, it is anyone's guess as to the kind of season he'll have. Potential-wise, this guy could be the next great running back in the NFL with his combination of size and speed (he actually runs a lot like Brandon Jacobs as a matter of fact), but as I've said before, potential does not equal production. If Wells can't produce, carries will fall squarely on the shoulders of Tim Hightower, and I don't think he's strong enough to be a featured back by himself. Let's hope Wells is everything he needs to be.
Edge: Giants, because a proven back is better than a back with potential.
Wide Receiver
Giants - As much noise as was made in the offseason about the Giants needing a reciever due to Plaxico Burress' off-field antics and on-field removal, they're not really as bad as many people may think. Going one, two, three is Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, and Mario Manningham, a pretty solid three receivers in my mind. Add to that the Giants first round draft pick, Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina, and you've got the potential for some very quick four-receiver sets. I actually think Nicks was the best wide receiver in the entire draft class and I expect him to make some noise early on, so when all's said and done, I don't think the wide receiver position will be much of a concern for the Giants at all.
Cardinals - There were trade rumors abound that Anquan Boldin would be going to the Giants to fill the shoes left by Plaxico, but the football Gods wouldn't have any of it and left the Cardinals with the best receiving tri-fecta in the NFL with Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Steve Breaston. Thank you, football Gods...
Edge: Cardinals, no matter who you match these guys up against.
Tight End
Giants - Kevin Boss has done a great job replacing Jeremy Shockey and I don't expect his position to change a bit. The Giants picked up Travis Beckum late in the third round, a strong tight end out of Wisconsin, and he should fulfill the Giants H-back needs rather quickly, so I wouldn't worry much if I were a Giants fan - this position looks pretty comfortable.
Cardinals - As comfortable as the Giants are in their tight end position, the Cardinals are equally uncomfortable. If Stephen Spach doesn't step up in training camp and become "the guy," Ben Patrick and Leonard Pope will have to bring up the slack and I just can't get behind those two as solid blocking tight ends.
Edge: Giants, because their rookie back-up could probably start for the Cardinals.
Offensive Line
Giants - How good is this group of guys? Maybe one of the best of all time. Similar to the Cardinals, this offensive line unit played every game together last year and is returning everyone, but different from the Cardinals, this unit actually won the Super Bowl they played in (albeit two years ago). Put these guys in front of anyone and you're going to see some offensive production. The Giants did pick up another lineman late in the second round to add some depth, but depth and the future is all they need to think about here.
Cardinals - This is a very good group of guys. There were some questionable points last season when dumb mistakes were made, both penalty-wise and blocking-wise, but you can't put a price on returning all five starters from every game the season before. This will be a fun position to watch during training camp since the depth is there, making for good competition.
Edge: Giants, because they has been likened to some of the best that have ever played the game and the Cardinals linemen, well, haven't.
Defensive Line
Giants - If Osi Umenyiora can come back from the knee injury that kept him off the field all last year (and at this point, he is healthy and ready to go), he and Justin Tuck will anchor a line that can make offenses miserable. This unit versus the Cardinals O-line will be a great match-up to watch throughout the game. Pay attention to which side looks like they have more gas in the tank in the fourth quarter...It could be the difference in the game.
Cardinals - Also a great match-up on the other side, Bertrand Berry and Darnell Dockett should at least challenge a very experienced Giants offensive line. If the Cardinals can stop the run here at the line, they have a chance to grab an interception or two and change the face of this game.
Edge: Giants, though these are two very solid groups. This will be a great game in the trenches.
Linebacker
Giants - Maybe the biggest question mark on a very good Giants team, this will be the position to watch come training camp. Though Michael Boley will miss the first game of the regular season due to suspension, he will most assuredly be in the game at weak-side linebacker in this one, which leaves the middle and strong-side positions. Clint Sintim, the Giants second round pick from Virginia, could end up finding his way onto the field (though he is battling a hamstring injury currently), but it looks like Antonio Pierce, Chase Blackburn, Danny Clark, and Bryan Kehl will round out the rest of the field with Danny Clark projected as the starter. Every one of these guys can make things happen, but not one is a true superstar.
Cardinals - Karlos Dansby will be playing like a bat out of Hades because he is looking for a huge payday at the end of the coming season, whether it's in the free agent market or a new contract with the Cardinals. He and Gerald Hayes will make thiings miserable for opposing offenses and if Cody Brown can make an impact as a rookie, look out...the middle of the field will be a danger zone.
Edge: Cardinals, assuming Brown learns quickly and is a consistent starter by the time this game rolls around.
Secondary
Giants - This will be an exciting group to watch this year. Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson make up one of the best one-two punches at safety in the NFL and Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are pretty solid cover-corners. Webster was a total shut-down player last year and should be just as effective this coming season. I won't be surprised if they allow a touchdown or two against a very talented Cardinals wide receiving corps, but I don't expect it will be easy.
Cardinals - There needs to be improvement in the secondary this year or the Cardinals will have a difficult time repeating last year's wonderful Super Bowl run. I am not too worried, though, as this is a position that the Cardinals front office paid a lot of attention to in the offseason. Right away, they brought in Darren McFadden from the Super Bowl Champion Steelers and then they grabbed Rashad Johnson and Gregory Toler in the draft - Toler looks like another version of Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie. I'll be surprised if this unit is outside the top 15 in passing yards allowed this coming season.
Edge: Giants, which will make the Cardinals run game pivotal.
Special Teams
Giants - Ahmad Bradshaw will most likely be taking on the kick return duties once again, but he's not a huge threat to go all the way. Punt returns are a little better, with Domenik Hixon doing the honors, but he failed to take one to the house last year, either. Jeff Feagles is one of the best punters in the game and Lawrence Tynes has proven his worth on field goals, so there shouldn't be a whole lot of worry at either of those positions. The old adage is that if you do not make mistakes on special teams, you have a good chance of winning - though the Giants won't usually make a whole lot of noise here, they also don't make a lot of mistakes...And they win more often than not.
Cardinals - The Cardinals have a huge question mark at punter, but their return game should be great, regardless of who they use, and Neil Rackers kicking field goals gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling all over (except if you're playing the Bears on Monday Night Football, of course).
Edge: Giants, because they make less mistakes and have a real punter on their roster.
Overall
Giants - Healthy, this is a very good Giants team. They are well-rounded, with experience at almost every position, they don't make a ton of mistakes, and they play four quarters of disciplined football. I think the Giants are poised to make a run at the Championship yet again this year. That all said, they are beatable. If Eli's hurried and the run game suffers, the Giants will turn the ball over, usually through the air, and they can ultimately be outscored. It will be a cool night in Giants stadium with the whole world watching and Giants fans will not be kind to the Cardinals. Being in New York is a huge advantage.
Cardinals - The Cardinals will have their hands full, there's no doubt. In order to have a chance, the run game has to be strong, Fitzgerald and Boldin have to combine for over 150-200 yards, and the secondary has to cause some turnovers. Walking into Giants stadium and stealing a victory here would be a big-time win and I think the Cardinals will be 4-1 up to this point in the season and highly motivated, but ultimately I just don't think they can win on the road in New York.
Week 7 (pre-training camp) prediction: NY Giants 31 - Arizona 28
Other weekly opponent breakdowns:
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers - Weeks 1 and 14
Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Week 2
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts - Week 3
Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans - Week 5
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks - Weeks 6 and 10
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers - Week 8
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears - Week 9
Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams - Weeks 11 and 16
Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans - Week 12
For more New York Giants analysis:
New York Giants Examiner
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