It's obvious that the New York Giants, right now, are the best team in the NFC. It's also obvious the undefeated Tennessee Titans, right now, are the best in the AFC. But who's the best in the NFL?
Let's take a look, position by position.
Quarterback
Neither Quarterback is putting up stellar numbers, but both Eli Manning and Kerry Collins are getting the job done. Both are excellent at managing the game and neither throw many interceptions. Eli has the bigger numbers though so i think he gets the nod here.
Edge: Giants
Running Back
Both teams have great running games. Chris Johnson's lightning to LenDale White's thunder. But don't forget "Earth, Wind, and Fire" in Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants and Titans both depend heavily on their running backs. The G-Men have an average of 170 yards a game though...Tough to argue with that.
Edge: Giants
Offensive Line
- B/R Ticket Guide
I have these two lines ranked 1A and 1B in the NFL. Both quarterbacks have been virtually un-touched this season. The Titans' line is much bigger though and has only allowed five sacks all year.
Edge: Titans
Wide Receivers
I think this one is pretty easy. The Giants have two studs in Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. The closest thing to a stud the Titans have is Justin Gage. He's good, don't get me wrong, but he's no Plaxico Burress.
Edge: Giants
Defensive Line
Albert Haynesworth is the best defensive lineman in the NFL, period. He's such a force, whether it be stuffing the run or sacking the quarterback. The Giants have arguably the top pass rush in the game, even without Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan.
Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka have emerged into quality defensive ends. And let's not forget Fred Robbins, probably the most overlooked defensive player in football. He isn't Albert Haynesworth, but hes closer than you'd think.
Edge: Giants
Linebackers
Antonio Pierce is the one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL. He's pretty damn good for the Giants. But look at what the Titans have. Keith Bullock and Stephen Tulloch anchor a pretty good linebacking core in Tennessee.
Edge: Titans
Secondary
Cortland Finnegan is having an outstanding year in Tennessee, probably the best corner in the league this year. Aaron Ross has not been having the best year for New York, but does show signs of turning it around with two picks Sunday.
James Butler is quietly having a great year with the Giants. Countering Butler, Chris Hope is having a nice season of his own for the Titans. This one's close.
Edge: Titans
And there you have it. It seems to me like the Giants win this fight, 4-3. But that's just how I see it. Good or bad, all comments are appreciated.
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about 1 month ago
Nice effort, Vinny.
However, the Giants O-line is better than Tennessee's. This is actually substantiated by a Web site that does its own statistics for offensive lines because traditional NFL stats don't really have anything for this unit. Giants are rated as No. 1. Even perception-wise commentators like John Madden and other broadcasters say the Giants O-line is the best in the game right now.
All the other areas are right on. Cheers.
from about 1 month ago
Maybe your right.. That one could go either way.
about 1 month ago
Great article.
I absolutely LOVE the way the Titans play football, they are an absolute pleasure to watch. They get plays when they need them from whoever needs to make them, and they aren't loaded with the superstar talent that teams like the 16-0 Pats and the 15-1 Vikes were.
These two would be a dream matchup, simply to see how they would matchup. Add the Kerry Collins/Giants subplot, and you've got yourself a barn-burner.
from about 1 month ago
It would be a great matchup, wouldnt it?
Thanks!
about 1 month ago
Always fun to win the paper battle!
Collins can throw the ball when he is 60 if he gets protected the way he is. It's game over if there is pressure on him.
And I have a feeling the Jets are going to do that on Sunday.
The Giants aren't perfect either though. Due to recent history I'll take our squad over there's.
from about 1 month ago
Gonna be a great game this sunday, huh?
about 1 month ago
The Giants are better everywhere except coach and secondary. But the coach thing is significant. Not that the Giants have bad coaching, but the Titans might be the best coached team in the NFL.
How else do you explain 10-0 with Kerry Collins at QB?
from about 1 month ago
Good points, but Collins barely has to throw the ball with that kind of running game. He should be tested against the Jets rush D though.
about 1 month ago
Yeah it's going to be a lot of fun. Sentimental in the sense it's where we played the Super Bowl and fun because if we win it essentially gives us at least the #2 seed, but if we lose we are still in great shape.
It sounds like Plax won't play though.
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