[EmpireWF]

The New York Giants will make their third consecutive playoff appearance under Tom Coughlin. In the 2006 & 2007 playoffs, Eli Manning played terrible and the Giants as a whole were awful. They are still looking for their first playoff win under Coughlin and for Eli Manning and the gang.

They will head down to Tampa Bay for a Sunday afternoon game. The extra day (from Saturday) will help center Shaun O'Hara heal from a sore knee. He's day-to-day.

The Bucs held out most of their starters in Week 17 and expect most to return to play against the Giants. Jeff Garcia, Earnest Graham and Joey Galloway specifically will start at QB, RB and WR respectively. The Giants must be able to stop Graham and force the Bucs to turn into a passing team.

The Bucs have a top defense who is infamous for confusing QBs. Eli Manning will need to look through the zone and find an open receiver.

[legend]

Garcia always gives NY problems. They need to get out front early and dictate things.

[ThePundit]

The trick to beating Garcia is not to over pursue. He's a sly veteran and can eat up blitzes. I say rush 4 and make him beat you down the field.

[EmpireWF]

Word from Tampa is they believe the key to beating the Giants is a) stopping Brandon Jacobs and b) forcing Eli to beat them.

There's no doubt the GMen will need a good run game to win the game. I don't think the passing game by itself can get the job done. So it will be up to Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Reuben Droughns.

[Lefty Noob]

What the word on the injured Giants, especially O'Hara?

[azrael492]

This should be a pretty good defensive battle, but I think it will come down to Eli losing the game for the Giants.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

What the word on the injured Giants, especially O'Hara?

Shaun O'Hara and Sam Madison did not practice on Friday and are listed as 'doubtful' as of Saturday. So it looks like it will take an unforeseen healing process for them to play tomorrow.

Kawika Mitchell and Kevin Dockery are listed as questionable, they practiced a little yesterday. I'd think they will play.

Plaxico Burress, Ahmad Bradshaw, Sinorice Moss and (TE) Michael Matthews will play.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

What the word on the injured Giants, especially O'Hara?

From Newsday today:

Kawika Mitchell and Shaun O'Hara both have bulky braces on their left knees. O'Hara has been able to do only some light jogging and a few center-quarterback snaps before practice this week because of his sprained medial collateral ligament, so he's doubtful to play in Sunday's game in Tampa.

But Mitchell gave his brace a bit of a workout in practice Friday and sounded as if he will play. "It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but if it helps stabilize my knee, I can get used to it," he said.

[EmpireWF]

O'Hara and Madison are inactive, as expected. Sinorice Moss is also inactive.

Gary Reugamer will start at center. Corey Webster will start at the corner spot.

Kevin Dockery is dressed, but won't start. Kawika Mitchell will start.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by azrael492

This should be a pretty good defensive battle, but I think it will come down to Eli losing the game for the Giants.

At the half with the Giants up by a TD, Eli isn't looking to bad.

[LSC9901]

24-7. How long are they going to run up the score like this anyway ?????

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

24-7. How long are they going to run up the score like this anyway ?????

No such thing as running up the score in the playoffs. Not when there's no tomorrow for the loser.

[Lefty Noob]

Good game for Eli on the whole (20-27, 185 yards, 2 TDs) and Brandon Jacobs also had a pair of scores against a mighty tough Bucs D.

[EmpireWF]

Giants defense was able to keep Garcia in check. In the first half, Brandon Jacobs was shut down on the ground. Ahmad Bradshaw was a great change of pace back in the 2nd half.

Eli Manning had a great game.

A lot of momentum heading to Dallas next weekend.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

No such thing as running up the score in the playoffs. Not when there's no tomorrow for the loser.

I won't disagree with your assessment but can't the same be said when you are going for home field advantage ???