Saturday, September 18, 2010

Eli and Peyton Manning take center stage as Giants & Colts defenses will be feeling the heat

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning fired three touchdown passes last week, but faces tougher test this week against Colts.
By Ralph Vacchiano - NY Dailynews 9/18/10

Two Rockies Share Link to Manning Brothers

Rockies outfielder Seth Smith, far left, backed up quarterback Eli Manning, at Ole Miss, and Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, far right, backed up Peyton Manning at Tennessee.
By Billy Witz - NY Times 9/18/10

New York Football Giants Come to MSG Network

Eli Manning Giants 620
By MSGcom 9/18/10

Cornerback Brandon Hughes finds incentive to join Giants' practice squad

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Former Chargers cornerback Brandon Hughes turned down a practice-squad offer from San Diego to join the Giants.
By Mike Garafolo - Star Ledger 9/18/10

InReeseWeTrust.com: New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts Week 2 Preview

Manning Bowl, Part Two
By Ben Kelly - InReeseWeTrust.com 9/18/10


New York Giants (1-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1), 8:20 p.m. Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.

This is the second matchup in the NFL careers of Peyton and Eli Manning, the first occurring in the 2006 season opener at the Meadowlands in a 26-21 Colts victory in the final minutes. Since then, both quarterbacks became Super Bowl MVPs in successive years. This time, New York visits Indianapolis with a 1-0 record and the Colts facing a potential 0-2 start for the first time since Peyton’s rookie year. The Colts lead the series, 7-6.

What happened last week?

Indianapolis suffered a bruising 34-24 defeat at division rival Houston, only the second time the Colts have lost to Houston in its eight-year history. Houston exposed Indianapolis’ defense on the break-out performance of second year running back Arian Foster, undrafted out of Tennessee, who rolled for 231 yards on 33 carries and 3 touchdowns. Last season the Texans owned the best passing offense in the league, yet surprisingly Houston quarterback Matt Schaub passed only 17 times for 9 completions and 107 yards. That Houston relied on its run game and abandoned the pass despite its usual success does not leave much to be impressed by Indianapolis’s run defense. On offense, the Colts ran the ball only ten times while trailing the entire game, while Peyton Manning had a career day completing 40 of 57 passes for 433 yards and 3 touchdowns.

What to expect from the Colts:

The Giants held Carolina’s star powered backfield tandem of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams to 74 yards on 21 carries, after both topped 1,000 yards last season. It the Colts are going to move the chains on offense, it is likely they will abandon the run against the Giants, after a near 6:1 pass to run ratio against Houston. New York should be tough on the run and force Manning to throw all over the field. The Giants won’t duplicate last week’s harassing performance against inexperienced Carolina quarterback Matt Moore, resulting in a 14 for 33 performance with three interceptions. Peyton will likely throw for big numbers and approach 40 to 50 pass attempts, leaving it up to the Giants’ pass rush to force an occasional bad throw to the secondary and create turnovers. Peyton will get his numbers, but its up to the Giants to make plays in the red zone and apply pressure from the defensive line.

What to expect from the Giants:

Run, run, run. The Giants two-headed attack of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs rushed for 120 yards on 32 carries last week, and based on Houston’s success, they should be able to at least replicate last week’s production. Keeping Peyton and his receivers on the bench as long as possible will be key but is dependant on the depth and stamina of New York’s offensive line, which right now is depleted with backup tackle William Beatty out for at least one month and Shaun O’Hara managing an ankle issue. Eli should again lead a balanced offense capable of grinding long drives to keep his brother on the bench.

Prediction:

Producing points early on long drives will go a long way to nullifying the Indianapolis crowd. The Giants will force Indianapolis to be one dimensional on offense by eliminating running lanes. New York’s talented secondary needs to produce one or two big plays, and are capable after notching three red zone interceptions last week. The Giants will win the time of possession and escape with the mini upset in a low scoring 21-17 victory.

Last week’s prediction: 28-16 Giants (Actual: 31-18 Giants)

Deon Grant hopes for big role Sunday night

By Ohm Youngmisuk - ESPNNY.com 9/18/10

Giants LB Michael Boley joins 1050's McDonald and Tierney to preview the Giants upcoming matchup with the Colts.

By ESPN Radio - 9/17/10

Countdown Daily Prediction: NYG - IND

Manning Brothers Set To Battle Again

Field Pass: Giants-Colts

Ross finally gets back at cornerback

BACK ON HIS FEET: The Giants' Aaron Ross, at practice earlier in the week, will play his first game at cornerback in a year on Sunday in Indianapolis.
BACK ON HIS FEET: The Giants' Aaron Ross, at practice earlier in the week, will play his first game at cornerback in a year on Sunday in Indianapolis.
By Mark Hale - NY Post 9/18/10

Hobbled Osi, Nicks both questionable

By Mark Hale - NY Post 9/18/10

Indy's good test for Giants' hopes

NEED A HUG: If the Giants can find a way to shut down Peyton Manning and Co. tomorrow night, Mathias Kiwanuka (left) and Osi Umenyiora will be able to re-enact poses such as this.
NEED A HUG: If the Giants can find a way to shut down Peyton Manning and Co. tomorrow night, Mathias Kiwanuka (left) and Osi Umenyiora will be able to re-enact poses such as this.
By Jay Greenberg - NY Post 9/18/10

Manning Bowl Two: How Eli and The Giants Can Continue Their Winning Ways

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 16:  Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown in the first quarter during their game against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on August 16, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
By Michael Gliddon - Bleacher Report 9/18/10

Indianapolis Colts Have Giant Problem On Sunday Night Football

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 10:  Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants (L) congratulates his brother quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts on his 26-21 victory on September 10, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Travis Lindquist/Getty Images)
By Matt Regaw - Bleacher Report 9/18/10

In Manning Bowl Rematch, New York Giants QB Eli Manning Deserves Respect

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Eli Manning
By Frank Gray - Bleacher Report 9/18/10

New York Giants and Jets non-premium tickets see steepest increase in NFL this season

Average ticket prices for New York Giants and Jets fans increase by a larger percentage for the 2010 NFL season at New Meadowlands Stadium than any other league venue.
Average ticket prices for New York Giants and Jets fans increase by a larger percentage for the 2010 NFL season at New Meadowlands Stadium than any other league venue.
By Ebenezer Samuel - NY Dailynews 9/18/10

New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross makes 2010 NFL season debut against Indianapolis Colts

New York Giants defensive back Aaron Ross will be tested immediately in his 2010 season debut, facing Tom Brady and the high-octane New England Patriots offense.
By Ralph Vacchiano - NY Dailynews 9/18/10



VIDEO: Three things to watch as Giants battle Colts

By Ralph Vacchiano - NY Dailynews 9/18/10

Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks says he expects to play against Colts

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Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks said today that an ankle injury won't prevent him from facing the Colts this weekend.
By Zach Berman - Star Ledger 9/17/10

Panthers' Sherrod Martin fined $5,000 for his hit on Giants' Kevin Boss

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Panthers safety Sherrod Martin was fined $5,000 for this hit on the Giants' Kevin Boss in the season opener.
By Mike Garafolo - Star Ledger 9/17/10

Special teams is gray area for Giants

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Giants much-maligned punter Matt Dodge walks through the practice facility Thursday, a few days after a poor performance for the special teams in the season opener against Carolina.
By Zach Berman - Star Ledger 9/18/10

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