The Giants lost a tough one 27-20 to the Niners last weekend in San Francisco.  But, they are still in first place in the NFC East and they beat the Eagles 29-16 earlier this year in Philly.  The Eagles have lost two games in a row and they will have Vince Young starting at QB tomorrow night.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Eagles are giving up 120.0 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry so far this year, so look for Brandon Jacobs to get his fair share of work in this game.  Eli Manning is one of the masters of play action, so look for him to attack the Eagles’ overrated secondary deep in this game with passes to Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham.  TE Jake Ballard will be the secret weapon for the Giants in the passing game tomorrow night as he has really stepped up lately for the Giants.

When the Eagles have the ball:  The Giants need to go all out to stop Lesean McCoy and Vince Young from running the ball.  It won’t be easy as the Eagles are averaging 171.6 yards rushing per game and 5.8 yards per carry this year.  If they can slow the running game down, they are going to be all over Vince Young in the backfield on passing downs.  The Giants have 30 sacks and 11 interceptions this year, so I think it’s going to be a very long night for the overrated Vince Young.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 27, EAGLES 10

The New York Giants have won three games in a row, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 71-61.  The Niners have won six games in a row by a combined score of 149-74, so this could set up to be an epic game.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are going to come out throwing the ball this weekend.  The Niners are giving up 255.1 yards passing per game this year, so that would make a lot of sense with Eli Manning throwing a lot.  Hakeem Nicks is likely going to be out again this weekend for the Giants, but Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and TE Jake Ballard are more than good enough to pick up the slack.  Brandon Jacobs is getting another start this weekend and it will be interesting to watch the collisions between Niners’ LBs NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis with him.

When the 49ers have the ball:  The Niners are a ball control team, so they are going to run the ball with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter against a Giants’ D that is allowing 127.1 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry.  The Niners need to establish the running game in order to slow the pass rush and give Alex Smith a chance to succeed.  The Giants already have 28 sacks so far this year, so they are going to be coming after Smith all day long.  Smith is starting to look down the field more to WRs Michael Crabtree and Braylon Edwards….but the Giants can’t forget about Vernon Davis…who is one of the best pass catching TEs in the NFL.

PREDICTION:  49ERS 20, GIANTS 17

The New York Giants have won two games in a row and they are 2-1 on the road this year.  The Patriots are coming off a 25-17 loss in Pittsburgh last weekend.  They are 3-0 at home this year, outscoring their opponents 85-58.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants will likely try to run the ball more than usual with Brandon Jacobs and D.J. Ware getting most of the work against a Patriots’ D that is allowing 101.0 yards rushing and 4.3 yards per carry.  Don’t think for a minute though that Eli Manning isn’t going to be chucking the ball downfield against a Patriots’ D that is allowing 323.1 yards passing per game so far this year.  The Giants will likely be without top WR Hakeem Nicks in this game due to injury, but Manning will still have big time playmaker Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and TE Jake Ballard to throw to.

When the Patriots have the ball:  The Patriots are going to try to force the issue in this game by spreading the field and letting Tom Brady look for mis-matches.  The only way to really stop Tom Brady is by putting a ton of pressure on him.  The Giants have 26 sacks already this year, so they have the talent to force Brady to rush with the ball.  WRs Wes Welker, Deion Branch and TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are going to give the Giants’ secondary headaches in this game.  The Giants will also have to be ready to deal with BenJarvus-Green Ellis, Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead and Kevin Faulk as those guys combine to give the Patriots a solid running game when they need one.

PREDICTION:  PATRIOTS 31, GIANTS 27

The Giants have had two weeks to get ready for the woeful Miami Dolphins.  The Dolphins really choked last weekend as they blew a 15-0 lead in less than three minutes before losing in O.T. to Tim Tebow and his Broncos.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  I look for the Giants to come out throwing the ball to get the lead this Sunday, before grinding out a win on the ground with Ahmad Bradshaw.  If the Giants give Eli Manning time to throw the ball, he’s going to shred the Dolphins’ secondary as opposing QBs have a 102.3 Rating against them this year.  WRs Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and TE Jake Ballard are all likely in line for solid games this weekend against the Dolphins.

When the Dolphins have the ball:  The Dolphins are going to try to run the ball offensively and control the clock.   That means the front seven must first concern itself with stopping Daniel Thomas and Reggie Bush, before worrying about the Fins’ passing game.  Dolphins’ QBs have been sacked 22 times already this year, which plays right into the Giants’ strength as they are the best pass rushing team in the NFL.  The Giants’ secondary will have to be ready to deal with WRs Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and Brandon Marshall as they make plays after the catch.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 30, DOLPHINS 17

The New York Giants are 1-1 at home and the Bills are 1-1 on the road, which kind of negates the home field advantage a little bit.  The Giants need to protect the football a lot better than they did last Sunday, or they are going to lose again.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants would love to run the ball and get Ahmad Bradshaw going against a Bills’ D that is allowing 138.4 yards rushing per game and 5.5 yards per carry.  The Bills don’t have much of a pass rush (they have five sacks so far this year), so Eli Manning should have plenty of time to throw the ball.  Hopefully Manning won’t make any numbskull throws in this game as the Bills already have 12 interceptions so far this year.  WRs Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham could all be in line for big games this weekend for the Giants.

When the Bills have the ball:  The Giants will have to find a way to get to Ryan Fitzpatrick as he has only been sacked 4 times so far this year.  The Giants already have 18 sacks this year, so something has to give.  If Fitzpatrick has time to throw the ball, the Giants’ D is likely in big trouble.  The Giants are giving up 251.2 yards passing per game this year and Fitzpatrick has good options in the passing game in Steve Johnson, Donald Nelson, David Jones, TE Scott Chandler and Fred Jackson out of the backfield.  The Giants can’t overplay the pass either or RB Fred Jackson is going to shred them on the ground.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 31, BILLS 27

The New York Giants have won three games in a row.  The Seahawks are o-2 on the road and they have been outscored 57-17 away from Seattle.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Seahawks are only giving up 3.2 yards per carry so far this year, but Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are going to get their carries this Sunday anyway.  The Seahawks only have 5 sacks so far this year, so Eli Manning should have a lot of time to throw the ball.  The Seahawks are giving up 236.5 yards passing per game so far this year, so look for Manning to attack them down the field with throws to WRs Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham.  Manning will just have to be careful about taking on safety Earl Thomas, as he is a big time playmaker.

When the Seahawks have the ball:  The Seahawks have had most of their success throwing the ball.  That being said, they have an awful offensive line that has allowed their QB (Tarvaris Jackson) to already have been sacked 14 times this year.  So the Giants are going to be blitzing like crazy and big time DE Osi Umenyiora is back with a vengeance already.  The Giants will likely double cover WR Sidney Rice and dare the Seahawks to beat them by throwing to someone else.  The front seven should he able to handle Marshawn Lynch, who is averaging 35.3 yards rushing per game and only 3.1 yards per carry.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 27, SEAHAWKS 10

The New York Giants can’t afford a letdown after smacking down the Eagles in Philly.  The Cardinals have lost two tough games in a row.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are likely going to try to bully the Cardinals in this game.  That means they are likely going to feed the ball to Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs in this game against a Cardinals’ D that is allowing 122.7 yards rushing per game and 4.0 yards per carry so far this year.  The Giants are going to also attack the Cardinals down the field with passes to WRs Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz.  The key for the Giants will be giving Eli Manning time to throw the ball as he has been sacked 10 times already this year and the Cardinals have 8 sacks.

When the Cardinals have the ball:  The Giants are going to have to get a lot of pressure on Kevin Kolb or he’s going to be making plays against the thin secondary.  The Cardinals are throwing for 253.3 yards per game while the Giants are giving up 255.0 yards in the air so far this year.  The Giants will likely double team Larry Fitzgerald a lot in this game and dare Kevin Kolb to beat them throwing to his other receivers.  Getting RB Beanie Wells back should give the Cardinals a boost in the running game and some balance on offense.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 23, CARDINALS 21

This could be an epic matchup this week in Philly.  The Eagles swept the Giants last year by a combined score of 65-48 last year, but the Giants almost beat them the second time around.  Here’s a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are going to tighten up the chinstraps and try to bully the Eagles with the running game.  Look for Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to combine for 35-40 carries if things are going right this Sunday.  The Eagles are allowing 146.0 yards rushing per game and 5.3 yards per carry so far this year!  If the Giants can control the clock with the running game, it will help keep the Eagles’ offense on the sideline.  The Giants’ O-Line has given up 7 sacks already this year and the blitzing Eagles have 9 of them already this year, so Eli Manning will have to make smart and quick decisions.  Manning threw 4 pickoffs against the Eagles (and 6 TDs) last year, so he will have to be careful against the outstanding corners of the Giants.

When the Eagles have the ball:  The Eagles are going to do what works for them.  The Giants are going to have to try to contain Michael Vick in the pocket as he’s nowhere near as effective when operation from it.  Vick threw for 500 yards and he rushed for 164 yards in the two games against the Giants last year.  The Giants are only giving up 66.5 yards rushing per game and 3.0 yards per carry so far this year, so they might be able to put up a better fight against Lesean McCoy and Vick this time around.  The Giants will have to get after Vick, because if the has time to throw the ball, Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are likely to do a lot of damage to the Giants’ secondary.

PREDICTION:  EAGLES 34, GIANTS 17

The New York Giants got battered and shocked by the Redskins last weekend in Washington.  But, on Monday Night Football this week, they get the St. Louis Rams in the home opener.  I look for the Giants to be plenty motivated for this game.  Here is a look at the matchups:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are going to come right after the Rams with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.  And why not?  After all, the Rams allowed the Eagles to run for 237 yards last week and a stunning 7.6 yards per carry!  Hakeem Nicks guaranteed that he would play this week on Friday.  The Giants need him as he is the most dependable WR on the roster.  Mario Manningham and TE Jake Ballard will also get looks from Eli Manning this Monday Night, when warranted.

When the Rams have the ball:  The Rams are going to try to ride Cadillac Williams in both the running and passing game against the Giants.  The Giants should be up to the challenge as they held the Redskins to 74 yards rushing on 26 carries (2.8 ypc) last week.  Sam Bradford’s finger is hurting on his right hand, so his passes might not have the normal zip on them.  That being said, the Giants still need to put a good pass rush on him to help protect the Giants’ corners.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 24, RAMS 13

The New York Giants swept the Redskins last year by a combined score of 48-21.  A lot has changed in one year though as Eli Manning has lost weapons in WR Steve Smith (Eagles) and TE Kevin Boss (Raiders).  This is a key game for both of these teams as division games mean so much more than other ones in the grand scheme of things.  Here’s a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are going to try to attack the Redskins’ D by running the football early and often.  Ahmad Bradshaw had a hard time against the Redskins last year as he carried the ball 40 times for 119 yards (3.0 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  Bradshaw might see less carries than usual in this game unless he gets off to a good start.  Brandon Jacobs rushed for 152 yards on 22 carries (6.9 ypc) with 3 TD runs against the Redskins last year, so he will likely get a lot of looks tomorrow.  The Giants’ new offensive line is going to have to give Eli Manning time to throw the ball, or he might complete a few passes to Redskins tomorrow.

When the Redskins have the ball:  Rex Grossman is a gunslinger in the passing game as he is a good deep ball thrower.  That means the Giants are going to have to get after him in the pocket.  If he has time to throw the ball, he could have a lot of success against a Giants’ secondary that has been decimated by injury.  Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong (8 rec, 181 yards, 2 TDs vs. the Giants last year) are going to likely be the top targets for Grossman tomorrow.  Jabar Gaffney is a pest in the shorter passing game for the Redskins.  TE Fred Davis is also a very underrated player that the defense is going to have to keep tabs on.

PREDICTION:  REDSKINS 23, GIANTS 20