New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

SCOUTING REPORT: Saints vs. Giants, noon Sunday, 4

Coming off the bye week, the Saints face their biggest game and toughest challenge of the season when they play the undefeated Giants and Newman product Eli Manning.

The 5-0 start is the best for the Giants since 1990, when they won their first 10 games.

This also is the Giants' first true test, given their five victories have come against Washington, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Oakland, teams with a combined 6-19 record. The past three opponents -- the Bucs, Chiefs and Raiders -- are 1-14 combined.

Still New York can't be taken lightly.

The Giants, with their potent offense and a stifling defense, have the most complete team of any the Saints have played thus far.

GIANTS OFFENSE

New York is ranked second in the NFL in total offense, averaging 417.4 yards, and fourth in points scored (30.2). The Giants also average 160.4 yards rushing per game, fourth best in the league. . . .

It starts with Manning, the strong-armed quarterback who became the league's highest-paid player in August when he agreed to a six-year, $97.5 million contract extension. Manning showed no lingering effects from the plantar fasciitis in his right foot during Sunday's blowout victory against the Raiders. Although he played only in the first half, he is expected to be full-go against the Saints.

Much like his older brother Peyton and his counterpart this week, Drew Brees, Manning is off to an MVP-type season. He has passed for 1,214 yards and 10 touchdowns with two interceptions and a 111.7 passer rating.

When Manning isn't passing, the Giants have a talented 1-2 punch at running back in Napoleonville native Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Jacobs, at 6-feet-4, 265 pounds, is the bruiser. He has rushed for 355 yards and a touchdown on 100 carries. Bradshaw is the breakaway threat, having rushed for 375 yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries. Manning's receivers are young, but Steve Smith (37-481, four touchdowns) and Mario Manningham (20-342, three touchdowns) have displayed big-play ability in recent weeks.

GIANTS DEFENSE

Despite all the talk about the New York Jets' defense leading up to Saints' game two weeks ago, the Giants defense is better -- at least on paper. The Giants are yielding just 210.6 yards per game, only 104.8 passing, both best in the NFL. They also are allowing 14.2 points per contest, third best in the league.

New coordinator Bill Sheridan has the defense off to a fast start without having to blitz much. The Giants are at their best when they get the opposition into passing situations. That's when defensive ends Justin Tuck (four sacks), Osi Umenyiora (three sacks) and Mathias Kiwanuka (two sacks) can do their thing. The three have combined for 40 tackles and nine of the team's sacks. The secondary, which has been dogged by injuries, is led by former St. James and LSU cornerback Corey Webster.

GIANTS SPECIAL TEAMS

If there is a weakness to the Giants it's their specialty units, which haven't made much of a positive impact. Sinorice Moss is averaging only 18.2 yards per kickoff return and 6.7 yards per punt return. Normally reliable kicker Lawrence Tynes hasn't been steady either, having missed from 21, 29 and 38 yards in recent weeks. Punter Jeff Feagles ranks 30th in the league with a 41.0 yard average.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Dec. 24, 2006

SAINTS 30, GIANTS 7

Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister turned in impressive performances as the Saints dominated the Giants from start to finish, turning Giants Stadium into a ghost town on their way to improving to 10-5 in Sean Payton's first season. Bush ran for a career-best 126 yards and a touchdown, and McAllister had 108 yards rushing and a score. The defense limited New York to six first downs and 142 yards in the blowout win.

WORTH REPEATING

"Jeremy Shockey is an excellent football player. He was an outstanding player here. When I first came here, I don't think that the world was aware as they should have been of the quality of the player he was, in terms of the all-around player. I thought he was an outstanding blocker. We all know about his vertical abilities and the seams and all the other things he does so well. Jeremy Shockey is a heck of a football player." -- Giants Coach Tom Coughlin on the former Giants tight end.

BY THE NUMBERS

0: Games Eli Manning has played in the Superdome.
9: Games in the series have been decided by a touchdown or less.
18: Average margin of victory for the Giants this season.

New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense | New Orleans Saints Central - - NOLA.com

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

They Giants are under a first year defensive coordinator too, and both teams are playing tough D. I think our offense is better than theirs.

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

To win, we must beat them to the punch. Every time.

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

To win, control the line of scrimmage and win the turnover ratio. Not to be cocky but I just don't see the Giants offense being able to compete in a shoot out with the Saints offense

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

I believe that our receiver corps, is better than theirs as well. I also believe their secondary to be a little overrated, so I see a possibility for big plays down the field. It all starts with our pass blocking. Their front four, are sack monsters, so it's going to be like the Jets on steroids. Although, I wouldn't say that their defensive tackles are better than Jenkins.

We will see. If I recall, neither them, nor the Saints, have ever played from behind this season. So, we will see. Should be a barn burner.

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

Step on Eli foot, that should help. Hit them fast and hot them hard. get and proud in the DOME !!!!

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

If we keep Bradshaw and Jones to under 100 yards rushing, and we have 120 yards of rushing, we will win.

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

The Giants secondary is shot. Brees might have a field day. This game will be over for the Giants before it......
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Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

As much as this will be a test for us it will be the same for New York. They have beat up on a bunch of crap teams. Their only close match came against Dallas. I think this is a very even matchup and predict a one score victory that takes it.

The key for each team will be pressure and forcing errors. I am so looking forward to this game.

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

If anyone thinks the Giants are going to hold Brees to 104 yards passing you need to put some more crack in that pipe and burn them fingers to the bone because your brain is TOAST!

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

Maybe I shouldn't be all that nervous ... BUT I am!!! If we win this game ... No doubt ... Elite Status, but if we lose ... I hate to say it, but I think I might think to myself, "Same ole' Saints"

Let's do this!!!

Re: New Orleans Saints will face stern test against New York Giants defense
 

Giants D what Giants D ????