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NFC CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY: Physicality Needed

Joe Tufaro — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:31:17 +0000

The Giants and the Niners renew their storied rivalry today at Candelstick Park in San Francisco at 6:30 EST. This one should be a good old fashioned battle of wills. Those of us who remember the match-up from January of ’91, are really looking forward to a battle royale. However, there really are a few keys to this game that ensure victory for the New Yorkers. Forget the rain, forget the wind, and forget the mirror image 4 game winning streaks. This game will be decided up front.

Offensive Line: The offensive line must protect Eli today at all costs. They must find a way to open a few running lanes to allow the Giants to use the play action pass effectively. The Niners have a very talented defensive front which recorded 3 sacks last week. The Giants did rush for 89 yards in the last meeting in week 10, without Ahmad Bradshaw. Bradshaw’s presence should make a big difference in this game. His physicality along with Brandon Jacobs could be a key to this game.

Defense: The defense can turn this into a simple task. They need to stop the run game of the Niners, force them into throwing the ball, and invite Alex Smith to beat them. Alex looked good in the final quarter last week, but he saw one look from the Saints defense. The Saints repeatedly brought 7 to 8 players on blitzes, which is actually a very easy read for the Qb. This week he will see the Giants rush 4 or 5, and see many more defenders in coverage. The Giants must remain physical when playing the wideouts and especially the tight ends of the Niners. Throwing off the rhythm of the San Francisco offense as they did against Atlanta and Green Bay is critical.

Eli vs. Alex: No matter which side of the stadium you are on this week, this match-up is one sided. If the Giants can make this a game of QB vs. Qb by restricting the running game of the Niners, they win.

No turnovers, No special teams mistakes, and the Giants should win their 5th game in a row as well as their 5th NFC Championship in 5 tries. Physicality, Determination, and Finishing will get the Giants a re-match with either Baltimore or New England in two weeks

NFL Sunday Picks

Joe Tufaro — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:56:10 +0000

We had a rough week last week going 9-7 thanks to some unexpected injuries, and some other strange happenings. We stand at 130-63 for the season including Thursday nights win in Pittsburgh. Here we go:

New England at Washington: The Redskin defense is pretty good, but still no match in the long run for the Patriots

PICK: NEW ENGLAND

Kansas City at New York Jets: The Jet offense will have it’s struggles again this week against a very strong K.C. defense. However Tyler Palko won’t mature much against the Jet defense. PICK: JETS

Houston at Cincinnati: Cincy’s defense might be a little much for the beat up Texans. I’m going with the home team with Cincy making it’s last stand at a playoff spot. PICK: CINCINNATI

Indianapolis at Baltimore: Even though Baltimore lost to Jacksonville earlier this year, I don’t think lightning strike twice, besdie The Ravens need to keep pace with the Steelers: PICK BALTIMORE

Minnesota at Detroit: Keep an eye on who is playing Qb for Minny this week. Christian Ponder wasn’t practicing during the week and might be out for this game. Joe Webb won’t scare the Lions and the Minnesota secondary allowed Tim Tebow to go 15-20! PICK: DETROIT

Atlanta at Carolina: I have been a big fan of Cam Newton this year, but the rest of the team needs some help, as he noted this week in the media. Atlanta needs to sew up the top Wild Card spot soon. PICK: ATLANTA

Philadelphia at Miami: Vick, Maclin, Matthews, all back….I’m guessing they need some time to get used to seeing each other again. Miami playing very well especially at home. PICK: MIAMI

Tampa Bay at Jacksonville: If Raheem Morris wants to have any sense of success this year, he needs to start winning again. Jacksonville didn’t look much better last Monday with a new coach. PICK: TAMPA BAY

New Orleans at Tennessee: New Orleans is on a roll. Tennessee coming off a good road win in Buffalo. I don’t see N.O. missing a step here. PICK: NEW ORLEANS

San Francisco at Arizona: Fantastic effort by Arizona last week beating the Cowboys in Overtime, and a nice pick by us. I think they spent a lot on that game. PICK: SAN FRANCISCO

Chicago at Denver: Chicago with no Qb and no RB…I’m not turing on Tebow now. PICK: DENVER

Oakland at Green Bay: This one is actually a tough one. The Green Bay defense could be susceptible to the Oakland running game and if Carson Palmer gets going with the Raider speed, there could be a lot of points scored here. Still think Rodgers is too much for anyone to handle. PICK: GREEN BAY

Buffalo at San Diego: San Diego needs this one, and all the rest. Buffalo blew their chances last week at home, this one across the country ends badly for them. PICK: SAN DIEGO

New York GIANTS AT DALLAS: I think the running game is back for the Giants and will help Eli exploit the Cowboy secondary. Dallas offensive line still a work in progress. PICK: GIANTS

Just for the record…here is where I register my picks every Thursday. http://poolhost.com

Does Defense Still Win Championships?

Joe Tufaro — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:26:21 +0000

There is an old saying that I have always believed in…Defense Wins Championships. However, after witnessing last nights game between the New Orleans Saints and The New York Giants, I wanted to take another look at that adage. The Giants, in a losing effort, had Eli Manning throw for 406 yards, while the team gained 465 Total Yards. The Giants had 29 first downs and were 5-11 on third down conversions. The Giants were reduced to throwing the ball throughout the second half as their defense could not contain the high wire act of Drew Brees and the Saints. So with a one dimensional offense staring at the Saints the entire second half, they allowed Eli to complete passes at will. Unfortunately, as we stated in our piece yesterday, without a running game this team is now the Eli Highlight Show every week. But more importantly, can you really be successful with just a great offense?

Let’s take a look at who many believe to be the top teams in the league and how they are faring defensively:

Green Bay: Ranked 30th in total defense averagng over 393 yards per game allowed

New England: Ranked 32nd in total defense

New Orleans: Ranked 25th in total defense

Chicago: Ranked 23rd

Houston, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore rank 1st to third in that order…….so if you still believe that Defense Wins Championships…One of those three teams will be wearing the crown come February.

What They Say…Week 12 Power Rankings

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:43:15 +0000

Not too many happy faces in Giant land this week after an abysmal loss to the dreaded Eagles. It looks as though the Power Rankings this week are reflecting the black cloud hovering over all of us right now. In weeks past a loss hadn’t, for the most part, dropped the Giants too far because they were usually close, well matched games. But dropping two in a row, and this one being as flat as it was coupled with memories of second half season collapses, the Giants took a hit.

National Football Post has dropped them five points to number 11. Let’s see how they fared across the board. (more…)