Sunday night the Giants will invade Indy and try to win the battle of the Mannings pt 2. For those who remember the first battle was at Giants staduim and opened the season several yrs ago. This time around Eli has an advantage as this game has not been receiving the close long term scrutiny of the first encounter.
Most comparisons of Eli to Peyton are out of balance to begin with. Eli has run an offense that is built to run and move the sticks (however the Wr's are now a major weapon so this team does have quick strike ability). This style will have an impact on a QB's overall stats. Yet when one compares Eli's stats to Peytons' over the first 5 full seasons it appears that Eli has performed very well. Now, Eli is never going to be Peyton and that is simply fine. Eli will be a so-called elite QB, he is already a clear franchise QB and the coming season will see his statistical prowess increase dramatically. Figure him in for 3700yds or greater and 30 TD's per season. When you extrapolate those numbers over the next 6 seasons Eli will easily enter into the 7 QB's in career stats.
This game will rely on Eli's ability to put TD's on the board and not have drives stall for FG's. Many observers think the Giants will attempt to control the clock through a ball control offense, yet I believe the coaching staff is fully aware that in order to win you must outscore the Colts. In the first meeting the Giants scored 26 and had the ball in the end, yet fell short. This game requires the Giants score 28+.
The Giants offense is perfectly capable of putting up these numbers. On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants will have to hold the Colts to FG's on their red zone trips. By forcing Colts to drive the field the Giants defense can work on the clock as well. Every team that has attempted to beat the Colts through ball control end up on the losing side of the coin. The Colts are aquick strike Offense and ball control as a total game plan just doesn't get it done. No pressure D and forcing the Colts to move the chains is a much more proficient game plan.
I see the Giants finding the balance necessary to mix in some big plays and outscore the Colts,
Giants 34-24
