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Giants (8-6) vs Ravens
(9-5)
Last Sunday the Ravens were down 31-3
into the fourth quarter and went on to lose their game against
Denver 34-17. They still clinched a playoff berth because the
Steelers lost to the Cowboys in overtime later that day, but that's
not how they wanted to do it.
Last week the Giants sustained one of their worst losses. The
Falcons treated their home fans to a 34-0 win over the defending
Super Bowl champions who let down in all three areas of the game,
offense, defense and special teams.
Baltimore Ravens.
They have been coming on strong
now for the last four years, knocking on the Super Bowl door,
but not getting in. Last year it was a dropped pass in the endzone
and missed field goal that had them watch the Patriots move on
to face the Giants in the big game. Right now they have clinched
a playoff berth, but are on a three game losing streak, something
that hasn't happened since 2009. Head coach John Harbaugh fired
offensive coordinator Cam Cameron last week before the Denver
game and replaced him with Jim Caldwell, the team's quarterbacks
coach.
Ravens Offense.
In the last three games, Joe
Flacco has fumbled the ball three times and thrown three interceptions.
He had two fourth quarter touchdowns last week to tight end Dennis
Pitta once the Broncos felt secure that the game was in hand and
time was the issue. Flacco hasn't been passing for big yardage
with injuries to his offensive supporting cast and was 20-of-40
for 254 yards. In the previous two losses Flacco didn't clear
200 yards. Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda didn't platy last week
and may be back. Starting wide receiver Torrey Smith returned
to practice.
The Ravens have gone more to a pass heavy attack and Flacco is
on pace for a career high in attempts and has been sacked 13 times
in his last four games,. Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice was held
to just 38 yards last week on 12 carries, but now he'll be playing
against a rushing defense that's allowing 123.7 yards per game.
If Flacco gets a hot hand or if they fall behind, Rice doesn't
get the ball.
Ravens Defense.
The Ravens have had their share
of injuries and that's been hurting their game. Starting inside
linebacker Jameel McClain was placed on injured reserve just this
week, and Dannell Ellerbe, who has replaced Ray Lewis, is considered
a game-time decision. The Giants are fully aware that Lewis could
be activated off injured reserve and what a spark he is to the
team. He had been sidelined with a torn right triceps and has
been practicing for the past few weeks.
Despite the injuries, whoever is on the field has big size and
strength like defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, Terrence Cody, Ma'ake
Kemoeatu, and Arthur Jones. The
pass defense has given up 21 passing plays of 14 yards or longer
during the last three games. Cornerbacks Cary Williams and Corey
Graham will cover Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz and safety Bernard
Pollard might miss his second consecutive game.
UPDATE: Ray Lewis won't play
in Sundays game against New York Giants.
Giants Offense.
Because of injuries and still
recovering from them Hakeem Nicks is not playing up to the level
he did last season. The same could be said for Victor Cruz, but
for different reasons. With Nicks playing at just a best effort
level, Cruz draws all the attention. He's either covered too well
to throw to, or nailed much quicker when he catches one. Cruz's
average is down almost 7 yards a catch from last year. With less
options and subsequent results from the number one and two targets,
Eli Manning has struggled. He is lucky to have Martellus Bennett,
a productive tight end as an additional option to throw to, but
the other problem they have is allowing him to get out there when
they need his blocking skills on the line.
Right guard Chris Snee (hip) and center David Baas (hip/shoulder)
are missing practice and David Diehl has not been playing up to
the level he did last year. One fix would be to have experienced
running back Ahmad Bradshaw back for this game. Although David
Wilson and recent addition Kregg Lumpkin ran well, their pass-protection
was not at the level of what Bradshaw can do. Manning could sure
use him back and Bradshaw has a sprained knee and is listed as
questionable for this game. Maybe Peyton Manning, who came away
with a win last week against Baltimore, had a few secrets to share
with his younger brother.
Giants Defense.
They keep waiting for last
season's magic to happen and the stage is set now with must-win
games. It seems the fearsome pass rush is somewhere backstage
lost in the curtains. Defensive tackle Chris Canty was the only
player to get to Matt Ryan last week for a sack so now the team
is tied for 16th in the league with 32 sacks. They haven't been
doing all that well against the run, allowing teams to pick and
choose plays more efficiently against them. It's not going to
be easy to stop Ray Rice this week, but both Kenny Phillips and
Prince Amukamara are expected to play and that will hurt Flacco's
passing game. Most important they can't keep giving up big yardage
on the early downs.
Overall
If the Giants win their final two
games, they are guaranteed a playoff berth. It all starts here
with the Ravens who are not just trying to better their spot in
the playoffs with homefield advantage. They also need to cut their
current losing streak in order to get the feel of a playoff level
team. The Giants are also trying to emulate the concept of being
able to take on the world as they did last year when they were
unstoppable. Getting an early lead in this game could make a difference
as both teams are letting their doubts creep in and falling behind
will only support their thoughts and the way they play.
NFC East
In the early Sunday 1pm games,
the Cowboys (8-6) host the Saints (6-8) and the Redskins (8-6)
play against the Eagles (4-10) in Philadelphia. The Cowboys and
Redskins are favored to win their games. The Giants play their
game after that and are favored to win over the Ravens. The results
of the earlier games are important, as wins by the Cowboys and
Redskins and a win or tie by the Seahawks (playing the late night
game against San Francisco) means the Giants are out of the playoffs
with a loss to the Ravens.
On the other hand, with a Redskins loss or tie, a Cowboys loss,
a Vikings loss and a Bears loss, the Giants can clinch a playoff
spot this week with a win over the Ravens. They can also make
it with a Redskins loss, a Saints tie, a Vikings loss and a Bears
loss, and with a win over the Ravens.
Check out.
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TeamGiants on Twitter.Notes.
Giants are in the playoffs
by winning the next two games.
Ravens can clinch a second straight
AFC North title with a win.
Ravens have reached the postseason
for the fifth straight year, the longest stretch in the NFL.
Ravens Joe Flacco is the only quarterback
in NFL history to reach the postseason in each of his first four
years, and since they are already in, he will be 5 for 5.
Next Game
Dec 30 - Eagles at Giants.
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