QB Jeff Hostetler played seven years with the New York Giants.  He spent most of his time with the Giants holding a clipboard and watching Phil Simms play.  Hostetler played in 91 games (25 starts) in his 7 years with the Giants and he completed 365 of 632 passes (57.8%) for 4,409 yards with 20 TD passes and 12 INTs (81.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 133 times for 704 yards (5.3 ypc) with 9 TD runs with the Giants.  He was 16-9 (64%) during the regular season as the Giants’ starting QB.  In 1990, Phil Simms went down to an injury and he wasn’t going to play at all in the post-season.  This was Jeff Hostetler’s time to shine and he took the bull by the horns.  The Giants were 3-0 that post-season as Hostetler completed 45 of 76 passes (59.2%) for 510 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 INTs.  He also carried the ball 15 times for 64 yards (4.2 ypc) with 1 TD run in the post-season.  Hostetler led the Giants to a narrow 20-19 win in the 1990 Super Bowl over the Buffalo Bills.  He completed 20 of 32 passes (62.5%) for 222 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 INTs (93.5 QB Rating) in that Super Bowl.  He also carried the ball 6 times for 10 yards (1.7 ypc) in that game.  Hostetler took full advantage of the opportunity he got in the 1990 playoffs and Super Bowl.

Phil Simms was a pretty darn good QB back in the day for the New York Giants.  In 15 years with the Giants, Simms played in 164 games (159 starts) in which he completed 2,576 of 4,647 passes (55.4%) for 33,462 yards with 199 TD passes and 157 INTs (78.5 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 349 times for 1,252 yards (3.6 ypc) with 6 TD runs.  He made it to 2 Pro Bowls in his time with the Giants and he is currently the Giants’ all-time leader in both passing yards (33,462) and passing TDs (199).  Simms will likely be #2 in Giants’ history in the very near future as Eli Manning is creeping up on him.  The Giants were 94-65 (59.7%) during the regular season in games started by Simms. Simms was also 6-4 (60%) in the post season for the Giants.  He played in 10 post-season games for the Giants in this career in which he completed 157 of 279 passes (56.3%) for 1,679 yards with 10 TD passes and 6 INTs (77.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 30 times for 68 yards (2.4 ypc) in the post-season.  Simms saved his best effort for the 1986 Super Bowl, when his Giants punished the Broncos 39-20!  Simms completed an amazing 22 of 25 passes (88%) for 268 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 INTs (150.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 3 times for 25 yards (8.3 ypc) in that Super Bowl.  Eli Manning is going to push Phil Simms down in the franchise record books, but he was a great player in his own right for the Giants.

The New York Giants whacked the Packers pretty good today in Lambeau Field as they played an almost perfect game.  Eli Manning was sharp tonight as he completed 21 of 33 passes for 330 yards with 3 TD passes and 1 INT.  Ahmad Bradshaw led the way on the ground for the Giants in this game with 12 carries for 63 yards (5.3 ypc).  He also caught 3 passes for 21 yards (7.0 avg).  Brandon Jacobs pitched in with 9 carries for 22 yards (2.4 ypc) with 1 TD run tonight.  WR Hakeem Nicks led the way for the Giants in this game with 7 grabs for 165 yards (23.6 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  WRs Victor Cruz (5 rec, 74 yards) and Mario Manningham (3 rec, 31 yards, TD) also pitched in for the Giants in this game.  The Giants finished up with 95 yards rushing on 27 carries (3.5 ypc) and they also completed 21 of 33 passes (63.6%) for 325 yards as they had possession of the ball for 29:35.

The Giants gave up a lot of yards in this game but they kept taking the ball away from the Packers, setting up good starting field position for Eli Manning and the offense.  LB Michael Boley (9 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 pass defensed and 2 QB hits) and safety Antrel Rolle (8 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 fumble recovery) led the way for the Giants’ D in this game.  Safety Deon Grant (6 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception), LB Chase Blackburn (3 tackles and 1 fumble recovery) and DE Osi Umenyiora (2 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 QB hits) also pitched in for the Giants in this game with big plays.  The Packers finished up with 147 yards rushing on 23 carries (6.4 ypc) and they also completed 26 of 46 passes (56.5%) for 241 yards in this game.  The Giants have advanced to the NFC Championship Game which will be held in San Francisco next weekend.

The New York Giants got more help from their late round picks than the early ones.  Injuries had a lot to do with that though.  Here is a look at what the rookies on the Giants did in 2011:

22-year old CB Prince Amukamara was picked in the 1st round by the Giants.  He played in 7 games for the Giants this year and he had 14 tackles, 3 passes defensed and 1 interception.  The Giants are hoping for more out of Amukamara in 2012 and beyond.

23-year old DT Marvin Austin was taken in the 2nd round by the Giants.  He spent his whole rookie season on the Injured Reserve List due to a nasty pectoral injury.

22-year old WR Jerrel Jernigan was picked in the 3rd round by the Giants.  He played in 8 games this year for the Giants and he didn’t catch any passes.  Jernigan did return 8 kickoffs for 186 yards (23.3 avg) this year.

24-year old OG James Brewer was picked in the 4th round of the draft.  He didn’t get into any games as a rookie for the Giants.

23-year old LB Greg Jones was a 6th round pick for the Giants.  Jones played in all 16 games for the Giants this year and he had 31 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.  He has a nice upside.

23-year old safety Tyler Sash was picked in the 6th round by the Giants.  He played in all 16 games for the Giants this year and he had 17 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.  Sash did most of his work on special teams this year, but look for an expanded role on D in the near future.

23-year old LB Jacquian Williams was a sixth round pick of the Giants.  All he did was play in all 16 games for the Giants in which he had 78 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, 3 fumble recoveries and 4 passes defensed.  Williams was by far the Giants best pick in this draft and he will likely be a starter for a long, long time.

23-year old RB Da’Rel Scott was a 7th round pick.  He played in 11 games for the Giants this year and he carried the ball 5 times for 16 yards (3.2 ypc).  He also caught 2 passes for 13 yards (6.5 avg) and he returned 14 kickoffs for 341 yards (24.4 avg).  Scott made the most of his opportunities this year.

GRADE FOR 2011:  C+

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  B+

The Giants belted the Falcons 24-2 last weekend while the Packers were resting up for tomorrow afternoon’s game at Lambeau Field.  DE Jason Pierre-Paul pretty much guaranteed a win in Green Bay and he’s supposed to think that way, but it won’t be easy.  The Giants lost to the Packers 38-35 in New Jersey just six weeks ago.  But, tomorrow they are playing in Green Bay, where the Packers were 8-0 last year.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The plan the Giants should have in this game is the same one they had last weekend against the Falcons.  They should try to remain balanced on offense to try to control the clock a little bit and keep the Packers’ offense on the sidelines.  RBs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs were outstanding last weekend but they will have to deal with a better front seven this weekend.  The Giants will have to fight for every yard they get on the ground tomorrow.  If Eli Manning has time to throw the ball, he’s going to have success.  WRs Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham are all healthy as well as TE Jake Ballard…..so the Giants are going to be effective throwing the ball.  Eli Manning will have to protect the ball though as the Packers have the best ballhawking secondary in the NFL.

When the Packers have the ball:  The Giants are going to have to mount a good pass rush on Aaron Rodgers, or he’s going to abuse their secondary like he did the first time these two teams played.  He has so many weapons in the passing game that it’s almost impossible to double anyone without getting burnt when he throws the ball to someone else.  WRs Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson are Rodgers’ favorite targets, but he doesn’t hesitate to throw the ball to WR Randall Cobb, TE Jermichael Finley, WR Donald Driver and James Jones.  RBs Ryan Grant and James Starks will get some carries if the Giants have to many DBs on the field.

PREDICTION:  PACKERS 41, GIANTS 34

The Giants dominated the Falcons yesterday on both sides of the football.  Eli Manning looked pretty sharp yesterday as he completed 23 of 32 passes for 277 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 INTs.  He also carried the ball 2 times for 13 yards (6.5 ypc) in this game.  Brandon Jacobs was a beast in this game as he rushed for 92 yards on 14 carries (6.6 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 8 yards.  Ahmad Bradshaw also had a solid game with 14 carries for 63 yards (4.5 ypc) and he also caught 5 passes for 22 yards (4.4 avg).  WR Hakeem Nicks led the way for the Giants in this game with 6 grabs for 115 yards (19.2 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Mario Manningham (4 rec, 68 yards, TD) and Victor Cruz (2 rec, 28 yards) also pitched in for the Giants in this game.  The Giants finished up with 172 yards rushing on 31 carries (5.5 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 32 passes (71.9%) for 270 yards as they had possession of the ball for 34:34.

The defense was outstanding for the Giants last night.  Safety Antrel Rolle (9 tackles), LB Chase Blackburn (9 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss) and DE Jason Pierre-Paul (8 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss) led the way for the Giants in this game.  The Falcons finished up with 64 yards rushing on 21 carries (3.0 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 41 passes (58.5%) for 183 yards.  The Giants are moving on to play the Packers in Green Bay next weekend.

The Giants and Falcons have won three of their last four games.  The Falcons are 4-4 on the road this year and the Giants are 4-4 at home.  These two teams are very well matched up in what should be a good game.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are going to come out passing the ball in this game.  Eli Manning should have plenty of time to throw the ball, so he’s going to be looking deep to Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz often in this game.  The Falcons are giving up 236.6 yards passing per game, so the Giants should have very little problem moving the ball through the air.  Look for the Giants to keep Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs heavily involved in the running game this Sunday in an effort to force the Falcons to play somewhat honest defensively.

When the Falcons have the ball:  The Giants’ front seven better tighten up the chinstraps this Sunday as Michael Turner is going to be blasting away at them in this game.  The Giants gave up 121.3 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry this year, so Turner is likely going to have some success.  The Giants are going to send DE Jason Pierre-Paul (16.5 sacks) and the rest of the guys after Matt Ryan.  They need to get to Ryan, because if he has time to throw the ball…the Giants are going to be into big trouble.  Ryan will be looking short to WR Roddy White and TE Tony Gonzalez.  But the safeties will have to help out over the top against the game breaking Julio Jones.

PREDICTION:  FALCONS 33, GIANTS 30

31-year old QB Eli Manning carried the Giants back to the playoffs this year.  He led them to a 9-7 record which was good enough to win the NFC East.  Manning played in 16 games (all starts) for the Giants this year and he completed 359 of 589 passes (61%) for 4,933 yards with 29 TD passes and 16 INTs (92.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 35 times for 15 yards (0.4 ypc) with 1 TD run this year.  Manning has now played in 121 games (119 starts) in his NFL career so far and he has completed 2,291 of 3,921 passes (58.4%) for 27,579 yards with 185 TD passes and 129 INTs (82.1 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 193 times for 365 yards (1.9 ypc) with 4 TD runs so far in his NFL career.  Manning is 69-50 (58%) during the regular season as the Giants’ starting QB.

The Giants plastered the Cowboys last Sunday.  Eli Manning was outstanding in this game as he completed 24 of 33 passes for 346 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Ahmad Bradshaw led the way on the ground for the Giants in this game with 16 carries for 57 yards (3.6 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also caught 3 passes for 12 yards with 1 TD grab.  D.J. Ware (2 carries for 19 yards) and Brandon Jacobs (7 carries for 16 yards) also pitched in for the Giants in the running game.  WRs Victor Cruz (6 rec, 178 yards, 2 TD grabs) and Hakeem Nicks (5 rec, 76 yards, 1 TD grab) led the way for the Giants in this game.  FB Harry Hynoski pitched in with 4 grabs for 31 yards (7.8 avg) in this game.  The Giants finished up with 106 yards rushing on 31 carries (3.4 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 33 passes (72.7%) for 331 yards as they had possession of the ball for 34:33.

The defense was excellent for the Giants as they sacked Tony Romo six times in this game.  LB Michael Boley (9 tackles), LB Jacquian Williams (8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit), safety Antrel Rolle (8 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception) and safety Kenny Phillips (8 tackles) led the way for the Giants in this game.  DE Jason Pierre-Paul (5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 QB hits) and OLB Mathias Kiwanuka (5 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 fumble recovery) also had solid games for the Giants.  The Giants finished the regular season with a 9-7 record.  They won the NFC East and they will host the Atlanta Falcons this weekend in the first round of the NFL Playoffs.

This is a do or die game tomorrow night for the Giants and Cowboys.  The winner gets the crown in the NFC East and the loser goes home.  The Giants have only won 2 of their last 7 games, while the Cowboys have only won 1 of their last four games.  The Giants beat the Cowboys 37-34 in Dallas just three weeks ago.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are going to likely run a little more than the first time they played the Cowboys.  Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will likely share the workload against the Cowboys as they try to keep their defense honest.  The Giants’ O-Line better be ready because OLB DeMarcus Ware (18 sacks) and the Cowboys (40 sacks) love to bring the heat on the QB.  If Eli Manning has time to throw the ball, he’s going to have a lot of success throwing the ball to Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz tomorrow night.

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys are going to try to throw the ball a lot tomorrow night.  Tony Romo has a badly bruised right hand which will give the D-Linemen of the Giants a target.  You know the Giants will be going after Romo’s hand and they have 42 sacks already this year.  The falloff from Romo to backup Stephen McGee is huge.  Romo will likely be throwing shorter passes in this game due to his hand injury.  Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Laurent Robinson will be counted on to get yards after the catch tomorrow night.  Felix Jones is also banged up, so Sammy Morris might get in on the action for the Cowboys tomorrow night.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 34, COWBOYS 23