BUCS (-3) Giants: Last week’s game against the Patriots has been described as a momentum boost for the Giants and a great way to end the season. Really? First and foremost is the Giants lost the game. Countless articles in New York papers about how big a momentum boost this game was for the Giants going into the playoffs failed to recognize that the Giants lost the game. More importantly, the Giants will probably be without three starters; Sam Madison who would have drawn the assignment of Joey Galloway, Kawika Mitchel who has been playing a solid LB this season, and Shaun O’hara, the Giant’s C. The O’Hara injury worries me the most for the Giants. Every 1st team practice, every play from scrimmage this season before this week has been between O’Hara and Manning. Blitz calls and assignment changes on the O-line are made mostly by the QB, but there are times the C must make reads and call out adjustments for the O-line. O’Hara will be missed most by the Giants if he does not play.
On offense the Giants must run Jacobs as often as they can. Manning was successful last week against the Pats, yes, but the Bucs have the best set of CB in the NFl with Buchanon, Barber and Kelly. They are ball hawks and have the luxury of safety help deep if they miss on a pick because of the mostly Cover 2 that Tampa runs on defense. Where the Bucs have struggled this season on defense is against the run and the Giants must go after that weakness to win. Offensively, the Bucs are a “do whatever we can to not mess this game up” team. A lot of Earnest Grahm and then some shots down field to Galloway and Hilliard. Garcia is a great QB for this system because of his decision making. He knows to take chances only when presented and has done a fantastic job his entire career of protecting the football. The Giants strength is their D-line and the Bucs will run some counter runs and traps to neutralize the Giant playmakers on the D-line. I am taking the home team that has been consistent a lot more than the Giants.
Pick: Tampa (-3)
CHARGERS (-10) Titans: Hypothetical question. If both Jeff Fischer and Norv Turner were given identical teams, and these teams played on a neutral field, who do you think would win? Jeff Fischer is by far the better coach and will have his team ready for the Chargers this week. A Titan win would not overly shock me. The Titans will pound White and Brown as much as they can, try to limit LT and then hope that they can make a play at the end to win the game. This sounds nice and good, but the Titans lack the talent to stay with the Chargers for a full 60 minutes. Offensively, the Chargers will be a run first team. This philosophy sounds like a no brainer with the best in the game as your running back, but as was the case early this season, Norv Turner made the Chargers a pass oriented team. Phillip Rivers is not a QB that can take over a game. He can make plays, yes, but those plays happen most after the run has been established. Defensively, the Chargers have Louis Castillo back at DE. One man can change the complexion of a defense and Castillo does that. His pass rushing abilities help the Chargers get to the QB without the need of blitzing. A true stud at DE, Castillo is also great against the run. Watch for him to be double-teamed constantly this game. I am taking the Chargers this game, even though taking a Norv Turner team giving over 9 points is very scary. LT will not let the Chargers lose this game, either QB for the Titans is not awe inspiring, and I feel that the talent level heavily favors the Chargers.
Pick: Chargers (-10)
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