CBS NFL analyst Boomer Esiason explains to The Post’s Justin Terranova why the Packers can be this year’s Ravens, why Kevin Gilbride has to go and why the Jets made the right call on keeping coach Rex Ryan.
Q: Which of these wild-card teams can replicate what the Ravens did last year?
A: Green Bay. It’s simply because Aaron Rodgers makes them a completely different team. He can do what very few people can do. He is must-see television, a tremendous player, maybe the best player at his position in today’s game. Better than (Drew) Brees, (Tom) Brady, (Peyton) Manning. It reminds me of when Dan Marino used to play. San Francisco at home is a perfect situation for them.
Q: Why are the 49ers a good matchup?
A: They were embarrassed last year in the playoffs, but opening week was a good game between the two of them, and I don’t think San Francisco’s defense is as good as it once was. They’ve been exposed here. Even Carson Palmer threw for over 400 yards against them. The fact that they are in Lambeau and Rodgers first time back on that field since the Monday night injury that place is just going to be crazed.
Q: Can the Saints shake their road woes in Philadelphia?
A: New Orleans is a completely different team on the road, but watching Philadelphia get torn up by Kyle Orton makes me believe that if you are New Orleans you can go in there and throw for 300 yards and a few scores. I do believe New Orlean’s defense is much better than it has been in past years. I would say the Saints are the favorite, but I expect a classic 31-30 kind of game.
Q: What changes do the Giants have to make?
A: I have nothing but respect for Kevin Gilbride and what he’s done, but the offense has to be changed. There’s just too much indecision, too many misses on players they were counting on, David Wilson would be one of them. … They have to find some offensive coordinator that’s going to hold Eli Manning’s feet to the fire. I don’t know who that person is, but it’s got to be done because the offense was about as bad as any in football.
Q: Did the Jets make the correct call on Rex Ryan?
A: They finally did something that was the right thing: It’s about continuity and keeping their identity. Those players really do love and respect Rex. That’s what we saw on Sunday and that’s all we’ve been hearing out of there for the past four or five weeks: How much he means to them as players.