HERE comes Darth Belichick, the spy among us. Here come the 15-0 Patriots, marching toward perfection.
Standing in the way is Tom Coughlin and the Giants … but for how long?
History versus Mystery tonight at Giants Stadium.
Can the Giants upset the Patriots?
Definitely not, if they don’t play to win – for a second less than 60 minutes.
And probably not, if you believe the oddsmakers, even if they do.
But should Coughlin and the Giants somehow become seduced by the opportunity, consumed by their competitive drive … should Brandon Jacobs (ankle) play, and play long enough to soften up the New England defense … should Plaxico Burress (ankle) catch an early touchdown pass before he sits … should Giants Stadium start rocking … here’s how Big Blue can shock the world:
I: Dust off the Super Bowl XXV game plan: Jacobs and/or Reuben Droughns – preferably Jacobs – play the smashmouth part of MVP Ottis Anderson, with Ahmad Bradshaw (calf, questionable) hopefully available as a change of pace. The idea, of course, is to keep Tom Brady and Randy Moss off the field for as long as possible. Ask Jim Kelly and his prolific K-Gun offense how frustrating it was to stand on the sidelines for more than 40 minutes. After Willis McGahee rushed for 138 yards, Rodney Harrison said: “I felt that this was the first time all year that we got bullied.”
II: The secret weapon: Help Eli Manning by implementing the checkdown pass to the shifty, dynamic Bradshaw (if not tonight, then certainly against the Bucs).
If Bradshaw can’t make it, have Manning throw underneath routes to rookie Steve Smith, who easily could fly under the radar.
Manning has sorely missed his safety valve dump-off to Tiki Barber, and with tight end Jeremy Shockey gone, he desperately needs another way to move the chains.
III: Throw on the graybeards: Remember, there is age on the New England linebacking corps. The Eagles spread the Pats out with three and four wide receivers and used running back Brian Westbrook as an extra receiver. Manning will have to get the ball out of his hand quickly.
IV: Be physical with Moss: History tells us that a discouraged Moss is not an all-out Moss. The Eagles jammed the Patriot receivers at the line of scrimmage to disrupt their routes. It was the same tactic Belichick and Bill Parcells liked to use against Jerry Rice. Don’t let Moss beat you deep. The poison you pick is letting Wes Welker wreak havoc underneath.
V: Touchdowns, not field goals: Until lately, the Patriots’ red zone defense has been suspect. The Giants struggled first-and-goal against the Bills; they will have to punch it in against the Patriots.
VI: The Brady munch: The Patriots have a formidable offensive line that prides itself on protecting its crown jewel quarterback. The Giants have a fearsome foursome that prides itself on harassing the quarterback. Something has to give. Big Blue needs to understand that it doesn’t necessarily have to sack Brady – but hurry him, harass him, hound him, hit him. If defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo hasn’t called his mentor Jim Johnson with the Eagles, there’s still time.
VII: Poise and resiliency: The Patriots will score; don’t let it discourage you.
VIII: Play the perfect game: A la Villanova versus Georgetown. In this case, it means winning the takeaway battle. It means no center exchange fumbles, Jacobs and Reuben Droughns remembering to hold the ball high and tight, Manning making sure the ball doesn’t slip out of his hand as if it were a bar of soap. It means never giving Brady a short field. It means Jeff Feagles pinning Brady inside his 10. It means kick returner Bradshaw giving Manning a short field.
Maybe we’re playing fantasy football here. The likelihood is Coughlin treating this one more like a tuneup for next week’s wild-card playoff game against the Bucs. Play to win – but not at all costs. But he’s the only one who knows for sure.
WEATHER
* AM showers
* High 49 degrees
* Wind: West at 14-mph
* Chance of precipitation: 30 percent