Brandon Jacobs is #1 Photo by Rick Stewart-Getty	Ahmad Bradshaw is #2 Photo-Derek Gee-AP

While everyone is focusing on whether the G-Men should even try to beat the Patriots tomorrow night, and whether they should play their starters, and whether the NFL is erring in its decision to air the broadcast nationally (thus breaking trust with their NFL Network), almost nobody is focusing on the game itself.

I personally think the game will be played for real.  While it would be nice to rest their starters, as they have the #5 seed locked up and can't advance any higher, the game will be televised nationally, and they have a chance to become the only other team besides the 1985 Miami Dolphins to knock off an undefeated team this late in the season.  That alone is significant, and certainly provides enough motivation to play their blue and white hearts out.  The Pats, of course, have the flip side.

So, let's assume ( I hate even putting that word down on paper, or its electronic equivalent) for a few moments in time that the game will be played on both sides for real.  What kind of a game will it be?  Well, the weather will be TERRIFIC football weather at Giants Stadium, the stands will be filled (although some fans may have trouble getting to their seats on time with the parking situation), and it will be the proverbial electric atmosphere. 

As the weather will be good, that means that Tom Brady will be able to play the game as he has played almost every other game.  That means he'll be trying to locate and hit his receivers all over the field.  Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker will be there for the festivities as will most or all of his offensive linemen.  (Brady has only been sacked 20 times in 15 games thus far, you do the math).  Brady has a chance to break Dan Marino's record for most TD passes in a season.  Moss has a chance to break Jerry Rice's record for most TD pass receptions in a season.  So, it's safe to say that the Pats will be throwing early and often.

 

Just as likely as the Patriots are to pass, the Giants are to run, not only because they have had success in the running game, but because it is the best way to eat clock, to wear down the Pats defense, and to keep the Brady passing attack on the sidelines. The only way to run consistently against a strong Pats defense, however, will be to mix in the pass. 

 

Although Eli Manning has been accused of many football sins, turning the ball over (via both fumbles and interceptions), throwing inaccurately (he has a relatively poor completion percentage), and lacking leadership skills (he doesn’t rant and rave), he can play this kind of a game better than just about any quarterback I can imagine.  He is happy to just win.  After the Buffalo game, played in snow and wind, when his receivers dropped pass after pass and Eli passed for only a little over 100 yards, Eli was as happy as a clam.  His team had survived to play another day.

 

Eli can read defenses as well as anyone.  If the Pats load up against the run, he’ll throw the short ones, to his tight end, even though Shockey will be out, to his backs, and to his wide receivers.  The Giants offensive line has played well all year, and should be able to both protect Eli and pound the ball.  We can expect to see the Giants 6’ 4”Brandon Jacobs pound his 265 pounds into the Pats quite often.  As a change of pace, the Giants can throw in Ahmad Bradshaw, only 5’ 9” and 198 pounds, but possessed of speed and explosiveness, as evidenced by his 88 yard game-saving touchdown run against the Bills.  While I hate to say “thunder and lightning”, isn’t that what the Giants showed the Bills? 

 

Of course, the Pats will be well aware of the Giants capability for explosiveness.  They will probably make Eli beat them through the air.  Can he do it?  I believe so.  The weather will be good, probably about 40 degrees at kickoff, and he still has some formidable weapons at his disposal. Plaxico Burress will be available as he has made himself available all season, despite ankle and now knee problems.  His backup, Sinorice Moss, is also doubtful.  Veteran David Tyree should be able fill in admirably.  At the other wide receiver spot will be the veteran Amani Toomer, who has been known to show up big in the Giants biggest games.  Both Plaxico and Amani can make the spectacular grabs, and they may have to do just that against the Patriots.  Kevin Boss will probably fill in for Shockey, and he will have to show the Patriots that he can both get open and catch the ball.  If he can draw serious coverage, that will make things easier on the wideouts.

 

If the Giants can “matriculate the ball down the field” in this fashion, via the pass early in the game, they should be able to both run and pass for the entire sixty minutes.  That they are a veteran team bodes well in their favor as well.  Against the Bills, upon experiencing an early 14-point deficit, they pulled themselves together, fought back, and eventually wore down a feisty Bills team, who could not “circle the wagons” fast enough.  If they can take a lead against the Pats and hold it through the first half, they have a really good chance to win the game.  By the second half, the duo of Jacobs and Bradshaw, ably assisted by another veteran, Reuben Droughns, should be able to run through what will by that time be a tired bunch.

 

Another factor playing in the Giants favor is pressure.  The pressure will squarely be on the Patriots.  Although the Pats managed to eventually win against both the Ravens and the Eagles, can they do it a third time against a strong and supremely-motivated defense?  If they can, they will be worthy of whatever praises are thrown their way.

 

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