Now this is the type of matchup we’re looking for on Monday Night Football; not the DOA Chiefs against a Patriots team looking to crush a lesser team in Foxboro.  The Giants come into this game after laying an egg last week against the Eagles, desperate for a win to keep pace with the Cowboys.  If recent history teaches us anything about the Giants, it’s that they thrive in the situations where they have to get a win.  Eli Manning is one of the better QBs at leading the 4^thquarter comeback, and he usually rises to the occasion when his team needs him to most.  The Saints come off their bye, and surprisingly not a lot of people are talking about them in the light of what the Packers and 49ers are doing in their respective divisions.  But if you ask me, the Saints are actually the team that is the biggest danger to the Packers in the playoffs, as they have the horses to score with the Packers, and are actually playing a little better defense this year than the Packers are.
 

The Giants defense has risen more to the occasion of late, as the pass rushing of Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora have been better at getting to the quarterback.  They haven’t gotten many sacks so far (only five in the month of November) but their pressure is forcing mistakes by opposing QBs, including six INTs so far this month, their most so far on the season.  This doesn’t bode well for Drew Brees, who has been throwing more interceptions than normal on the year, as he’s thrown interceptions in six of his last eight games, including multiple INTs in four of those six.  If Brees can avoid those costly turnovers, he should be in for a big day.

Speaking of big days, Jimmy Graham should have a monster game this week, as the Giants linebacker corps has been decimated by injury, and they’re now starting and playing rookies that haven’t been very impressive thus far this year.  Graham will be a matchup nightmare for them, and expecting one of his 100+ yard games and a TD is not unreasonable.  Those same struggles at the LB spot should also bode well for Darren Sproles, who was taken out of the game plan by the Falcons defense last week.  The Giants don’t have the personnel to stop Graham and Sproles, so they should end up the most productive pass catchers on the day for Brees.

Manning should also find some success this week, as the Saints have shown to be vulnerable in the pass game against teams with dynamic pass catchers, as proven by Matt Ryan and Roddy White last week to the tune of 351 passing yards and two scores.  Manning has even more weapons at his disposal than Ryan does, with Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham, and Jake Ballard to choose from.  Look for the Giants to stay away from their mostly ineffective running game with Brandon Jacobs, and exploit the Saints through the air, so each of the Giants receiving options are viable plays this week.

Good Start:  QB Drew Brees, RB Darren Sproles, WR Marques Colston, TE Jimmy Graham, QB Eli Manning, WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Victor Cruz

Middle of the Road:  RB Pierre Thomas, WR Mario Manningham, TE Jake Ballard

Bad Start:  RB Mark Ingram, WR Robert Meachem, WR Lance Moore, RB Brandon Jacobs