GMEN HQ – Power Rankings Review (Week 2)

It took nearly a flawless half from Eli Manning to notch the Giants first win of the 2012 season, Sunday. Of course the hole New York had to dig themselves out of, was in large part to Mannings sub-par play in the first half. Manning looked like the “Early Eli”. The Eli that everyone wasn’t sure could hack it in the big apple, not the 2-time Super Bowl MVP that he is. However, he got it done. He proved yet again he is the most clutch QB in the league, when the game is on the line. So, first half aside, they won. Let’s see where they landed in the Power Rankings.

ESPN – 8(7)

"The champs barely avoided an 0-2 start, thanks to Eli Manning, but where’s the pass rush?"

Not many people can argue this. They won, which is the main things, but boy did they look pretty bad for 30 minutes. This post raises a good question. Where is the pass rush? Has anyone heard Justin Tuck’s name two games in? How about Osi Umenyoria? Anyone? Bueller? Jason Pierre Paul is excluded, he may not have the statistics to show for it, but he’s a disruption on just about every play. I know the Giants are thin on the D-Line and getting back young talent Marvin Austin will help, but there is no excuse for the lack of production. Combine that with an absolutely depleted secondary and it makes for a bad combination. Tuck and Osi need to show up and fast, the Giants season depends on it.

CBS Sports – 15(13)

"That defense is really struggling on the back end. And Eli Manning is making mistakes he didn’t make a year ago. That has to be a concern."

Tell us something we don’t know, Pete. News flash the Giants were decimated in the secondary going into last year too. Look at this ranking, the Giants are one of two teams the fell in the rankings after a win, the other team? The Bengals. Just in front of New York is Chicago, and look at the nightmare Jay Cutler and Co. have turned that team into already. New York didn’t just beat the Jags, they beat a much-improved Tampa Bay team that looks like it will compete in the NFC South for a few years to come. 98% of teams would have folded upon finding themselves down three scores, the Giants didn’t, Pete. Lets cough up some credit, shall we?

Fox – 7(9)

"Eli Manning threw for 510 yards . . . 243 of them in the fourth quarter. He threw the Giants right out of the game in the first half, and then right back into it in the second. There may not be a better NFL QB in the clutch."

Billick makes a good point and is right on point in the rankings. The teams that sit in front of the Giants may or may not deserve to be there but you could certainly make a case either way. The only other 1-1 teams in front of the Giants is Green Bay and Baltimore. Green Bay hasn’t looked crisp on offense but lets be serious, as long as Aaron Rodgers is there, they can beat anyone, and easily.

Baltimore is interesting. Living in NY, we don’t have a lot of access to Baltimore games outside of the national spotlight, so when CBS switched to the end of the Ravens vs. Eagles game, needless to say I was intrigued. I wanted to see Flacco. I wanted to see what all the hype, the turmoil, whatever you may call it, I wanted to see what it was about. As I watched him try to orchestrate a good drive to put his team in a position to win, I realized how lucky the Giants are to have Eli Manning. Flacco looked bad, I mean very poor. No question about it, he’s got a gun but many it appears as though he just shrinks when its time buckle down. Take nothing away from Philadelphia’s defense, they played well, but Flacco’s throws, in some cases weren’t close. I say this with confidence that Joe Flacco is not at a level where he could win a Super Bowl.

Side Note: I read an interesting piece today regarding power rankings and the basis was San Francisco should not only be the number one team, but should be two, three, four, and five, because no one is close. Let’s be honest, can anyone disagree? I try to convince myself differently as many was as I can; Alex Smith is their QB, It’s a passing league, Frank Gore gets injured, etc. I can’t. This team looks unbelievable in the early going and the thing with Smith is he protects the football better than anyone in the league, and look at his numbers, he’s been nothing short of spectacular thus far. It’s going to be fun to watch the Niners and Giants go head to head in a few weeks.

Check back next week for the updated reviews.