Texans/Giants Predictions

[dalemurphy]

Prediction: Texans 27 - NY Giants 16

This is a peculiar game to try and figure out. Both teams are very talented but have been rather inconsistent over the past season and a half. The NYGiants started last season 5 -0 but have won only won 5 games since then. Furthermore, the Giants have only one road win in that 15 game stretch. It is difficult to know why. Last season, injuries at safety had the Giants turning to guys like C.C. Brown (remember him?) and the back end of the defense became an unmitigated disaster. However, one position (that isn’t QB) doesn’t explain that kind of collapse. Here’s an interesting note about the offense: in the final six games of last season, the offense averaged almost 23 points a game… not bad but not spectacular. Well, in three of the games, the offense scored: 6, 9, 7. In the other three games, it scored: 31, 38, 45. The Giants make the Texans look like the model of consistency. So, who is going to win this one and why?

Alan Burge, in his matchup preview, did an excellent job highlighting the injury issues at play this week, which are significant for both teams. Essentially, the Giants are going to have significant issues at offensive line, particularly at center and LT. Madison Hedgecock, their blocking FB, will also miss the game tomorrow. Also, the availability of their unheralded but very good halfback, Ahmad Bradshaw (questionable), is every bit as important to them as Andre Johnson’s availability is to the Texans tomorrow. For the Texans, unless something happens unexpected, AJ will play tomorrow and Jacoby Jones will not. Otherwise, the Texans are a healthy football team… with one significant exception!

Keys to the game:

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