Giants vs Saints: Predicting Stats for Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Top Players

This New Orleans Saints-New York Giants matchup is the type of game I've been waiting for on Monday Night Football all season. 

Two top teams battling for playoff positioning. 

Lots of offense, lots of throwing. 

My kind of night. 

There's just something about the Saints at home in prime time. 

Get ready for some offensive fireworks. 

Drew Brees

Although I have a major man-crush on Drew Brees, I promise that isn't the reason why I'm predicting a huge night for him on Monday Night Football. 

It's because he's playing at home, in primetime. 

And over the last few years, there really hasn't been anyone better under those circumstances.

The Giants don't have a bad secondary and can definitely turn the football over (14 interceptions this season), but Brees' outstanding season has really been overshadowed by Aaron Rodgers and the resurgence of Tom Brady over the last month.

He finds all of his receivers, running backs and tight ends and look for him to exploit New York's young linebackers with seam throws to Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham tonight.

Don't forget the screen game, either.

The Saints are one of the best screen teams in football.

Prediction: 32-of-46, 342, 3 TD, 1 INT 

Eli Manning

Eli Manning hasn't been horrendous during the Giants current two-game losing streak, but he's thrown four touchdowns, four interceptions and was disappointing against the Eagles, completing only 51 percent of his passes. 

His talented receiving corp is finally healthy, but he's "struggled" of late because of New York's inability to effectively run the football. 

The Saints are definitely a team that feeds off their boisterous home crowd, but they're allowing an unacceptable 5.2 yards per carry this season. 

I don't have much faith in Brandon Jacobs, but he should be better than he was last week when he averaged 1.8 yards per rush against the Eagles, right? 

Manning should be productive; I'm just not sure he'll be able to get into a rhythm facing the assortment of blitzes the Saints defensive coordinator will send his way. 

Prediction: 28-of-42, 265 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Darren Sproles

One of my favorite NFL players. 

Does anyone make more of his touches? 

Not in my estimation. 

OK, so he was held to three total yards against the Falcons in the Saints last game, but other than that, he's been the little terror we grew accustomed to in San Diego. 

The Giants do have a good secondary with good cover corners, but their linebacking corp is ravaged with injury, and Michael Boley will not play tonight. 

Brees will have an extremely dangerous check down and screen option in Sproles all game, and with the way New York rushes the passer, I expect the lightning bug to have a major impact on the outcome of this game. 

Prediction: 8 carries, 54 yards,  6 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD

Hakeem Nicks

Although Victor Cruz has emerged as a viable deep threat for the Giants, Nicks is still the most threatening and is Manning's favorite target. 

He caught three passes for 69 yards last week against the Eagles. 

Without much of a running game, I expect the Giants to try to stick with the Saints by pushing the ball down field early and often. 

Nicks has great leaping ability and can make plays on those deep jump balls. 

Prediction: 5 catches 90 yards TD

Marques Colston

After his eight-catch, 113-yard performance two weeks ago against the Falcons, it's safe to say Colston is back to where we've typically seen him within the Saints offense over the years.

The Giants have streaky cornerbacks that can look great one week, then get torched in the following game.

They'll have a tough time accounting for all of New Orleans pass-catching options.

I don't envision a monster evening, but we all know Drew Brees will find him on more than one occasion.

Prediction: 5 catches, 78 yards, TD 

Jake Ballard

Ballard exploded onto the season for the Giants in October, but his production has tailed off mainly due to drops and Manning looking elsewhere on passing downs. 

With the Saints blitzing often, Manning will be forced to get rid of the ball quickly, and Ballard is a huge target for No. 10 on the throws to the flat or across the middle. 

Not a super productive day, but he'll be better than he was last week when he caught only one ball against Philadelphia. 

Prediction: 4 catches, 45 yards, TD

Jimmy Graham

Over the last few weeks, many would say the Patriots' Rob Gronkowski has taken the title as the "NFL's best tight end" away from Jimmy Graham. 

Coming off the bye, Graham gets his chance to regain the crown tonight. 

No tight end has been targeted more than the former Miami Hurricane (94 targets), and Graham still holds a nine-yard lead over Gronk'. 

Brees will have a field day across the middle. 

The inexperienced Giants linebackers are no match for the ultra-athletic Graham who has been a re-occurring matchup nightmare for his opponents this season.

Prediction: 9 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD