ShutdownCorner21.com Pick Six for Giants vs. Rams

Week Two

Giants vs. Rams

1. How good are the Giants?

The Giants are easily the most under-appreciated Super Bowl champion this millennium. And after last night's game between Philly and Dallas, that is sure to continue. While they aren’t going to outgun anyone like the ’99 Rams or ’07 Patriots, or absolutely shut down an offense like the ’00 Ravens, the Giants are simply getting the job done.

Sure, they struggled to put away the Redskins, but the key is they did. They let the Rams hang in until the fourth quarter, but then ran away with the game. Essentially, the Giants get the job done, and until Dallas or any other team can defeat the G-Men, they are still the reigning champions.

2. How bad are the Rams?

It sure is ugly in St. Louis. A team stuck in transition, the Rams have too many older players clogging up spots for the youth. They are trying to win now while also building for the future. The main problems are evident: offensive line and secondary. 2005 first-round pick OT Alex Barron and 2006 first round pick CB Tye Hill have been disappointments and have set the team back. Short answer to the question: very.

3. Does anyone have a better three-headed rushing attack than the Giants?

Not at the moment. While some running back duos have better individual players, no trio can match the bruising Brandon Jacobs, explosive Ahmad Bradshaw, and underrated Derrick Ward.

Jacobs is the starter, and he has 21 first-half carries and is averaging 4.9 yards an attempt. He is the tailback for the first few drives, and then the team moves to Ward for a change of pace.

Ward has 54 yards in the second quarter and 29 in the third this season. After the 264 lbs. Jacobs and 228 lbs. Ward soften up the defense, the 198 lbs. Bradshaw comes in to run past the weary defenders.

Bradshaw got his first offensive playing time against the Rams and scored two touchdowns in six touches. He is the explosive gamebreaker and perfect balance to Jacobs and Ward.

4. Has John Carney saved the Giants' season?

While no one has mentioned his contributions, John Carney’s five field goals this season have given the Giants the upper hand all season. If he had missed one, the momentum may have swung back into the Redskins' or Rams' corner and cost the Giants the game.

While his season isn’t much out of the ordinary, it is rare to get a kicker off the street a month before opening day and have him nail all five of his field goals.

5. Is Marc Bulger finished?

Sadly, his days as a premier quarterback are long gone. Bulger has been effective in his career, but he has always needed good protection and offensive playmakers. He now has awful protection and only two offensive players of note to work with.

Barring a dramatic turnaround, he will be gone from St. Louis in 2009 and searching for a backup job somewhere else.

6. How good can Justin Tuck be?

The sky is the limit for the former Notre Dame star. Tuck has lived up to unbelievable pressure and expectations and has three sacks and an interception this year already. He is going to need some help from his other defensive linemen to keep opposing offensive schemes honest, but there is no doubt Justin Tuck is for real.