Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

Plaxico Burris.

I don't know that we'll do so successfully, but from the looks of things, Play pretty clearly seems to be Eli's security blanket (not to mention the Giants biggest offensive threat). So then what, the Giants ask?

Run the ball with Jacobs and Bradshaw? Okay, that could work. We didn't have to deal with Bradshaw last time, but given our offense in pristine conditions on a fast track, I'll let them run all day.

Throw the ball to Toomer? Go for it. He's a very good player, he'll get his catches and YAC, but he'll also drop every 4th ball.

Dump it to the Tight End? PLEASE DO. Get Steve Smith involved? Go for it, he's not taking over a game.

But Plaxico is a terrific player, who Eli clearly trusts and depends on. He is coming off a historically GREAT performance, he is the single-biggest reason the G-Man took down Favre. If we can shut down Burris - obviously a big IF and no small feat - or if we can even limit him, that puts Eli in a very difficult, iffy spot that I'm quite sure he can't handle.

That's my theory and I'm stickin' to it. Thoughts?

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

I generally agree. The other receivers are journeymen. They'll make some catches but they aren't threats. The running game is a threat but as long as we hold them to good runs, not great (by that I mean when they break one, make the tackle to keep it to 15 yards, not 65 yards) we'll be OK. We can't have Burress have more than 120 yards or so, though.

Honestly, though, as long as we protect Brady and play good red zone defense, it doesn't really matter. Problems with the two aforementioned areas and we could have a concern.

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

I also agree, CHFF states that the Giants need to establish the pass, and their best alternative for doing so is Plax. Plus, he's Eli's security blanket.

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

My guess is that New England will start the game much as they did in the first meeting, and focus on stopping the run. Manning is still the weakest link in the chain, and they'll likely want to see how he handles the pressure of the Super Bowl before doing anything more than sending an isolated blitzer or two.

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

Would love to see them completely take away Plax, but our secondary this season has been oddly iffier than they seemed to be last year.

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

In the first matchup they had A Thomas matched up at the LOS on passing downs bumping him. I expect they will do more of the same. Plax can be taken out of a game early if he doesn't get some catches early on.

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

Easier said than done, considering he'll also likely be matched up with Hobbs (who I like, but chances are he's not going to completely shut down a receiver of Plax's quality.)

They're going to have to have safety help on him all day if they want to take him completely out of the equation, hopefully Meriweather's improved play makes this a little less painful.

What I'm hoping for is Eli getting locked in on Plax and making bad throws attempting to force the ball to him. He'll likely make some plays, but if Manning makes repeated bad throws, they'll (hopefully) eventually become turnovers.

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

doesn't anyone remember Hobbs covering Plax in the playoffs a few years back? 3 catches for 37 yds and 1 TD--i'll take that again.

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

I think Plax is better than he was then. Either way, I'll take anything short of him absolutely killing us, and I believe Hobbs is capable enough to do that.

Re: Ladies and gentlemen, the thing we'll take away...
 

Hobbs has never played against Burress in the playoffs (Burress has been with the Giants since 2005, Hobbs's rookie season). But I do remember Hobbs covering Burress in the final game of the season and allowing two receptions for 62 yards, 0 TDs and a pick. If Hobbs is covering Burress for the majority of the game and that's the stat line at the end I'll be more than happy.