Originally Posted by ivanvamp

I think the Giants - when they are playing well - represent the best overall balance of explosive offense and stifling defense of the four remaining teams. This year their offense has been better than their defense:

Offensive ranks: #9 pts, #8 yds
Defensive ranks: #25 pts, #27 yds

However, now that their front four are healthy and dominating, this defense is downright scary. Last four games:

- at NYJ: 14 pts, 331 yds, 3 turnovers
- vs Dal: 14 pts, 300 yds, 2 turnovers
- vs Atl: 2 pts (not on the defense, obviously), 247 yds, 0 turnovers
- at GB: 20 pts, 388 yds, 4 turnovers

Average stats the defense has allowed: 12 pts, 316.5 yds, 2.3 turnovers

So they're playing very, very well right now and that makes them a very tough team.

Originally Posted by PrairiePat

I almost hate to get involved with this mess, but I had one thought on the Giants defense.

I think they're getting a lot of ESPN hype right now, mostly based on their 2007 playoff run. But this is a different season, and these 'just like they did a few years ago' comparisons invariably fall apart before coming to fruition.

Green Bay shot themselves in the foot all day yesterday. Dropped passes everywhere, fumbles in key spots, wide open receivers missed, etc etc. They gave up a Hail Mary touchdown for crying out loud! The layoff clearly affected them (the main reason to play your starters in those 'meaningless' last games). The Giants played decent defense, but they're not the unstoppable force they were in 2007. IMHO.

On the other hand, I think Manning is a much better QB than he was 4 years ago. So there's that to consider.

Oh, and BTW, the Giants didn't go 98 yards on their final drive in 2007. That was Elway in 83, I believe. I wouldn't even mention it except that the OP keeps harping on it like it's a fact.