Giants-'Skins: New York Begins the Defense of Their Super Bowl Title

The day New York Football Giants fans have been waiting for, the kick off of the 2008 season, has finally arrived.

The Giants are looking to jump start their 2008 campaign with a victory over the visiting Redskins, a team they split games with last year on the way to their improbable Super Bowl championship.

The Redskins are lead by Jim Zorn, their sixth head coach since 2001 and are looking to improve upon their 9-7 finish of a year ago. They want this to be the year when they begin living up to the lofty expectations of owner Dan Snyder.

This game, an early season matchup of inter-division rivals, is a study of contrasts. It pits the Giants' rushing game, downfield passing attack, and high-energy pass rush against a Redskins team searching for an identity.

They have not shown any offensive or defensive consistency during Snyder's tenure, and they need to define their football team as a force to be reckoned with.

Since being taken over by Snyder in 1999, the 'Skins have been a team in transition. He has proven to be as difficult to please as he is impatient, both with his coaches (six in nine years) and his roster.

He has consistently rolled the dice in free agency, signing superstars like Bruce Smith and Deion Sanders, while they are on the downside of their careers, in his quest for a Super Bowl championship. 

The Giants, always one of the more staid and consistent franchises in the NFL have built primarily through the draft rather than free agency. With the exception of the blockbuster draft-day trade for Eli Manning, and the signing of Plaxico Burress, they have chosen to avoid high-profile quick fixes for the most part. 

The 'Skins are a team with a lot of questions.

Is Jason Campbell a top-flight NFL quarterback and field general?

Can Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts become a two-headed monster in the rushing game?

Will Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El consistently move the chains down field in the passing game?

Does Jason Taylor have enough left to energize an often-mediocre pass rush and complement a very good, hard-hitting secondary? 

Although they have made the playoffs two of the last three seasons, the 'Skins will need an improved effort in all quarters to be in contention in the ultra-competitive NFC East.

As for the Giants, they are beginning the season trying to recapture the magic of their improbable Super Bowl run.

It began with all of the major pieces remaing in place, minus long-time leader and sack specialist Michael Strahan. But lady luck has a way of upending the applecart sometimes.

First, Jeremy Shockey talks himself out of New York. Next, Plaxico Burress, David Tyree, Amani Toomer, and Steve Smith miss significant training camp time with injuries. Then, Osi Umenyiora suffers a season-ending knee injury.

Last year's team had and dealt with a lot of adversity. Rookies like Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, Jay Alford, and Ahmad Bradshaw all stepped up and supplied big plays when given the chance. It looks like the Giants will need the same kind of teamwork and effort if they want to repeat this year.

With a solid offensive cast, a big-play defense, and the added juice of opening the season in front of the home crowd, I think the Giants bring too much for the 'Skins to handle, and Jim Zorn goes home empty handed in his first game as head coach.

My prediction: Giants 31, Redskins 14