Guideline Thoughts: NFL Week 3 Matchup – NYG @ PHIL

Is DeSean Jackson going to be healthy? If so, will he be lighting up trash talking Giants safety Antrel Rolle? Or will Jeremy Maclin, who has been the one returning Rolle’s verbal jousts, be the guy to overwhelm Rolle on the field as well? Last week Maclin had 13 receptions, but missed the last ball when it counted. How motivated do you think Maclin is now for this inter-division matchup?

One problem, does Michael Vick pass all his tests this week and return to the field just seven days after suffering a concussion in Atlanta? Related reports say that he likely does return this week, but that is not yet certain. Needless to say, the appearance of Michael Vick vastly changes many things this sunday. To list just a few of those things; the Giants’ defensive game plan, how much Maclin and Jackson can produce, and the fate of fantasy matchups all over.

I believe Maclin will likely play well in this game regardless of the QB situation. But LeSean McCoy should be most vital to the success of the home team in Philadelphia. This is one player who a fantasy owner can count on being a focal point of the Eagles’ offense whether Vick is on the field or not. Jackson is probably more of a 50/50 case in terms of fantasy production in this game. He has been a little banged up lately as well, but is still expected to give it a go against G-men this sunday.

Do I think that Osi Umenyiora will show for this game and face his biggest critic (other than yours truly) LeSean McCoy on the field? No, not likely. So it looks like another week that the Giants will need Justin Tuck to be a dominant force just to keep pace in the game. He’ll need to teammate Antrel Rolle to back up his talk and have the game of his life.

Giants wide-receiver Mario Manningham is also questionable for this sunday’s game due to a concussion. His concussion came an entire day later in the week than Vick’s, and it appeared to be on a play where he made a juggling catch. A catch that should have never been juggled to begin with…

Domenik Hixon however, made a tremendous juggling catch in the end zone against St. Louis that was absolutely necessary, and brought home the best possible outcome to the play that he made. He tore his ACL, and is presumed out for the season. With all that said, it looks like fantasy owners of Hakeem Nicks should be more than happy with the number of targets he is likely to see this week. He is almost assured to be running away with the downfield workload for the Giants.

So far the Philadelphia cornerbacks and safeties are focusing on what to do with Hicks on the field, and not so much what to do with him on twitter. Because the Eagles are very much the risk taking type of defense, I think that Manning will still throw over 300 yards, especially with the way 300 yards just doesn’t seem all that special in 2011 anyways. However, I predict that either Nnamdi Asomugha or Asante Samuel will pick one off for a big game changer.

Antrel Rolle claims that he can play corner and shut Jackson down. Jeremy Maclin says that Rolle’s comments reveal him to be either insecure or scared, and  points out that Rolle’s Giants have not had done well against them the last six times. Will this be sunday be seven in a row for the Eagles over their longtime divisional rival? It’s gettin’ chippy already year, just the way we football fans like it! Check back with us saturday to find out the official predictions of this, and all other week 3 NFL matchups from myself and other Fantasy Guideline experts.