Nov 30, 1:00 pm (CBS) - Buffalo at Giants
Giants vs Buffalo.
Last week the Giants were in a battle of the 4-6 teams with Tampa Bay, and they lost. So this week the Giants 4-7 record matches Buffalo's. You would think
it hard to find such lousy-playing teams for the Giants to go up against, but look who comes along the next week - the 4-7 Redskins.
If the Giants and the Redskins both lose to face each other with 4-8 records next week, they might as well let both head coaches, Jim Fassel and Steve Spurrier, cross fields and coach the
opposing team for the remaining four meaningless games of the season. It would be much more exciting for both sets of fans that way.
Giants at home.
This Sunday as you 'suit up' in your own particular fashion to go to the game you have maybe less of a smile on your face. There hasn't been much fun in
your last four trips to the stadium. The Giants have not won at the Meadowlands since Sept. 7. That was the season opener. They beat the Rams 23-13 and you went home happy.
It was a big to win over a top team, but don't say that the Giants didn't warn you or give you any hint of possible problems to come. Kerry Collins was sacked for nine yards on the first play
of that game, the very first offensive play of the season, and if you remember, it was the defense that scored the first points of the game, not the offense.
Make or break.
It seems that playing the Giants can make or break you. Dallas lost their opening season game to of all teams, the Atlanta Falcons, and was about to lose
their second to the Giants when Parcells took his Fassel gifted 11 seconds, tied up the game and won it in overtime. Dallas went on to win the next 4 games. The Giants sent the Eagles on a
winning streak that's six games long and still counting, and even extended by the Giants when they lost to them again. Minnesota had won the first six straight when the Giants took all the
wind out of their sails with a 29-17 victory and sent the Vikings on a four game losing streak.
The Giants put an end to Atlanta's long 7-game losing streak. That's right. The Falcons hadn't won since that opening game over Dallas and they crushed the Giants 27-7. Even that couldn't
get the Falcons off their losing ways. They have dropped the next two and still counting. Finally, the Giants stopped Tampa Bay's 3-game losing streak by granting them a 19-13 win last week,
and we shouldn't really use the word 'finally". Buffalo comes to town with a four game losing streak, and you know what can happen.
Last week.
Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden got tough. Keyshawn Johnson was gone from the team and Tampa Bay got a win. Giants head coach Jim Fassel got tough and benched William Joseph, the number one
draft pick. It didn't work out as well for the Giants.
This week.
Buffalo's offensive line has had a number of injuries. Receiver Eric Moulds is banged up, and to make matters worse, quarterback Drew Bledsoe has missed practice due to a mild concussion he
sustained in last Sunday's loss to the Colts. Although it's been bothering him all week, he did practice on Friday stating, “I feel a little fuzzy, but I’m going to go and play.”
The Bills will find their assignments a bit easier since the Giants have recently put a number of defensive players on injured reserve. Cornerback Will Peterson (back), strong safety Shaun
Williams (knee) and right defensive end Kenny Holmes (knee) are all gone, and cornerback, Ralph Brown, will be out with a sore shoulder. On offense for the Giants, Luke Petitgout is having
problems with his back and Jeremy Shockey is listed as questionable with a sore knee. He had aggravated it during a rigorous pregame workout, and Fassel listed Shockey as day-to-day Thursday
after saying earlier in the week that he expected him back in the lineup.
Notes.
Tiki Barber is 27 yards shy of his third career 1,000-yard season.
In the Giants 4 wins, the offense has averaged 25 points and committed only 4 turnovers.
In the Giants 7 losses, the offense has averaged 11.5 points and turned the ball over 23 times.
Giants have allowed 3 or more sacks in 3 straight games.
Bills have the 3rd-ranked defense in the league.
Bills hadn't scored an offensive touchdown in 45 possessions, spanning 5 games, before finally reaching the end zone in last week's 17-14 loss to Indianapolis.
Bills, in their last 4 games, have more safeties (3) than touchdowns (2).
Since 1990, when the current playoff system was adopted, eight teams have made the postseason when posting a sub-.500 record through 11 games. The '95 Chargers
and '96 Jaguars were 4-7 before 5-0 finishes put them in the playoffs.
Next Game
Washington at Giants Dec 7, 1PM.
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