Random order
1. The three things defensive coordinators usually try to achieve are: stop the run, apply pressure on the passer without having to blitz much, and create turnovers.
1a corollary. Pendergast has us 8th in giving up run yds per game and 10th in ypc run defense. We rarely blitz, get good pressure with 4 or 5 rushers and rank 11th in sacks. We rank #1 in the NFL in getting turnovers with 23.
3. Pendergast gets ripped by some every game for rushing only 3 and playing prevent defense. Last week was no exception even though against Seattle we rushed 3 only one time and it was in the first half.
4. Skipping a bunch of stats details I've been pouring over the last two hours, we are better than the Giants are against the run in almost every category and having faced equal quality backs and nearly identical number of total carries. Feel free to disbelieve. I don't have the time to back this up so I won't bother to argue if you dissent.
5. In overall offense/defense match-up, their advantages are both in passing: Statistically, in almost every category, the Giants defense stops the pass better than we do. And statistically, their offense looks to be better able to pass against us than we against them. Again, feel free to dissent. I won't argue.
6. In items 4 and 5 above, my opinions differ from all others I've seen yet. So be it.
7. Historical stats often mean nothing in match-ups.
8. Teams are always improving or regressing. At this time last year, the Giants were not the Giants who won the Super Bowl. We are not yet the team we hope we will be by week 16.
9. If Laboy and Haggans cannot play, I have no idea how we will compensate but it will be interesting to see. Life is tough for all in the NFL. If that kills us, too bad.
10. I think we will run surprisingly well against the Giants.
11. I have no real feel for the outcome of this game so have made no prediction in the prediction thread. The game means more to us than it does to them, I think.
12. At 80 degrees predicted temp at kickoff time, the roof should be closed. Good for us.
13. Have we had our psychological breakthrough games? At Carolina and at Seattle? If so, we will beat the Giants. If not, we won't.
14. I believe Plaxico Burress is faking injury again, pouting. If Tom Couglan plays him anyway, it means he believes this game will be hard to win and wants to give his team every edge possible. If Burress sits in punishment, the game becomes even more unpredictable.
15. The 49ers might beat Dallas. Yes indeed.
16. We gave up 18 sacks in 386 attempts for a 4.66% sack rate. Giants gave up 12 sacks in 292 attempts for a 4.1% sack rate. Both threw 7 picks. Both teams protect well against the sack and sack the opponent well. But as I wrote earlier, edge to them in both categories.
17. New Thai restaurant opened in Glendale. I'll be there in one hour, wearing Cards gear, hoisting brews to us.
1. The three things defensive coordinators usually try to achieve are: stop the run, apply pressure on the passer without having to blitz much, and create turnovers.
1a corollary. Pendergast has us 8th in giving up run yds per game and 10th in ypc run defense. We rarely blitz, get good pressure with 4 or 5 rushers and rank 11th in sacks. We rank #1 in the NFL in getting turnovers with 23.
3. Pendergast gets ripped by some every game for rushing only 3 and playing prevent defense. Last week was no exception even though against Seattle we rushed 3 only one time and it was in the first half.
4. Skipping a bunch of stats details I've been pouring over the last two hours, we are better than the Giants are against the run in almost every category and having faced equal quality backs and nearly identical number of total carries. Feel free to disbelieve. I don't have the time to back this up so I won't bother to argue if you dissent.
5. In overall offense/defense match-up, their advantages are both in passing: Statistically, in almost every category, the Giants defense stops the pass better than we do. And statistically, their offense looks to be better able to pass against us than we against them. Again, feel free to dissent. I won't argue.
6. In items 4 and 5 above, my opinions differ from all others I've seen yet. So be it.
7. Historical stats often mean nothing in match-ups.
8. Teams are always improving or regressing. At this time last year, the Giants were not the Giants who won the Super Bowl. We are not yet the team we hope we will be by week 16.
9. If Laboy and Haggans cannot play, I have no idea how we will compensate but it will be interesting to see. Life is tough for all in the NFL. If that kills us, too bad.
10. I think we will run surprisingly well against the Giants.
11. I have no real feel for the outcome of this game so have made no prediction in the prediction thread. The game means more to us than it does to them, I think.
12. At 80 degrees predicted temp at kickoff time, the roof should be closed. Good for us.
13. Have we had our psychological breakthrough games? At Carolina and at Seattle? If so, we will beat the Giants. If not, we won't.
14. I believe Plaxico Burress is faking injury again, pouting. If Tom Couglan plays him anyway, it means he believes this game will be hard to win and wants to give his team every edge possible. If Burress sits in punishment, the game becomes even more unpredictable.
15. The 49ers might beat Dallas. Yes indeed.
16. We gave up 18 sacks in 386 attempts for a 4.66% sack rate. Giants gave up 12 sacks in 292 attempts for a 4.1% sack rate. Both threw 7 picks. Both teams protect well against the sack and sack the opponent well. But as I wrote earlier, edge to them in both categories.
17. New Thai restaurant opened in Glendale. I'll be there in one hour, wearing Cards gear, hoisting brews to us.
