Arizona Cardinals At New York Giants: Who Has The Edge?

by Andrew602 on Oct 22, 2009 10:52 AM MDT

This Sunday night, the Arizona Cardinals are hoping to improve to 4-2 and stay atop the NFC West with the San Francisco 49ers. To get ready for the game, we'll take a look at each position on both teams and determine who has the edge. Last week, the Seahawks slightly had the edge, and most of us didn't have the Cardinals dominating the way they did. The Cardinals are the underdog this week, and I can only hope that the Cardinals prove me wrong again. Here's a look at who will have the edge this Sunday.

Pos.	Edge	Analysis
QB		How close is this? Eli Manning has played great since their Super Bowl run, but Kurt Warner has been on-target even at the age of 38. The slight edge goes to Warner because of his great play on the road so far this season.
RB		There's no denying this one - the Giants running backs have been more successful on the ground this season. Brandon Jacobs brings the physicality, while Ahmad Bradshaw is the speed back. The Cardinals have yet to find a solution to their ground game woes.
WR		The Giants have a duo of talented young receivers in Steve Smith and Mario Manningham. Even with Boldin being possibly out, the Cardinals still hold the edge with Fitz and Breaston.
TE		Kevin Boss has been a solid replacement since Jeremy Shockey left the team. The Cardinals are still struggling to find a starter at tight end. Ben Patrick might be it.
OL		The Giants have the most dominant offensive line in the NFL today. They protect like the best and open up holes for their running backs. The Cardinals line still has a long way to go.

Pos.	Edge	Analysis
DL		Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Chris Canty. Those are just a few names on the the Giants defensive line. Levi Brown and Mike Gandy better be ready for Sunday night. The Cardinals defensive line has been great at stopping the run, but haven't produced pressure against good offensive lines. Sunday will be a good test.
LB		The Cardinals linebackers played a good game last week, but struggled against the other Manning the last time they appeared on Sunday Night. Antonio Pierce leads a strong linebacking corps.
CB	--------------	The split comes because both units have had their problems this year. The Giants didn't face any great passing offenses till last week, and were owned by Drew Brees. The Cardinals pass defense is ranked 31st, but bounced back last week, shutting down the Seahawks pass attack.
S		The Cardinals safeties equal one of the best duos in the league. The brute is Adrian Wilson, and the play-maker is Antrel Rolle. The Giants safeties are too young/injured to compete.
ST		The Cardinals have been solid through the first 5 games, only having problems with Jacoby Jones. They were excellent on coverage last week, recovering a pouch kick off.
Coach		Both coaches have won Super Bowl rings, and both have took their teams to the Super Bowl in the last two years. The difference is, Coughlin won it when he was the head coach. Whisenhunt isn't that far behind though.
Edge	Result	Analysis
	7 - 5	The Giants hold the edge because they are a disciplined, well balanced team overall. They play smart and don't make many mistakes. They also have the advantage of playing at home, on a nationally televised game, a place the Cardinals have struggled before.

It's a tough pill to swallow but it's also hard to predict the Cardinals repeating their performance from last week. The Giants are a very deep team, that are disciplined enough to contain the Cardinals. Who has the edge in your book?

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Comments

regarding the Giants corners

it should be noted that despite last week’s game, they’re still the #1 ranked pass defense in the NFL. The safeties (specifically CC Brown) are beyond awful, but the corners have actually been very good this year. Last week wasn’t really their fault – there were only two of them out there, so whoever the safeties or LBs were supposed to be covering were getting open. Corey Webster has turned into one of the best CB’s in the league.

That said, I could see us having the same problem with you guys we did with the Saints, b/c you have so many weapons. Even if the CB’s cover Fitz and Breaston, someone else will be wide open.

"[The Giants] beat us down. We were beat by a grown-man team, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us, out-gunned us. ... It wasn't even close." - Raheem Morris, 9/27/09

by cjmulrain on Oct 22, 2009 11:13 AM MDT reply actions

I could see your point, but looking at the teams you've faced, the #1 ranking could be skewed a bit

Redskins, Raiders, and Chiefs are pretty terrible offensive teams.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Oct 22, 2009 12:31 PM MDT up reply actions

oh, definitely

I think if we had played average competition, the pass D would probably be closer to the middle of the pack. But, the blame would still lie mostly with the safeties, who are close to awful. Webster’s awesome, but he can’t cover everyone.

by cjmulrain on Oct 22, 2009 2:20 PM MDT up reply actions

gmen

really, what about 12-4 record last year and superbowl win over undeafted pats- were
they playing bad teams when they won all those games too !! Pls Warner wil be on his
back and the Cards wont even get a finger on Eli, he’s gonna pass all over the place.
gmen beat the cards in AZ last year without Jacobs at all and without Osi, u think ur
Oline cant stop them- not a chance. gmen have the best Oline too. sorry cards fans
but your birds are getting their wings clipped on Sun nite

by luvmesomegmen on Oct 23, 2009 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions

And what the Giants did 2 years ago or even last year means nothing in 2009.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Oct 23, 2009 11:39 AM MDT up reply actions

thats right

its a completly different year and anyway, the Cardinals went to the SuperBowl last year so wouldnt that make them the better team using ur logic?

It would save the Giants Defence a lot of time if QBs just stayed down!

by ChuckyofNorris on Oct 24, 2009 6:45 AM MDT up reply actions

Its added experience but it doesnt make them a better team

Just in one year alone we have new O and D coordinators and a new set of starters on both sides of the ball. Different team.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Oct 24, 2009 2:19 PM MDT up reply actions

In no way, shape or form

Do the expression’s or view’s of this new fella, represent what actual Giants fans (especially from BBV) feel.

I needed to clarify this so there is no judgement by others for ones misrepresentation! ;)

by Hootman on Oct 23, 2009 11:06 AM MDT up reply actions

Thanks man

Up until today I felt you guys are pretty cool. Good to clear things up.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Oct 23, 2009 11:35 AM MDT up reply actions

It only takes one to spoil the brew

Plus, the name and profile info leads to suspicion. An opinion like that is all for one, and not for the masses!

Perhaps a Seattle fan? lol

by Hootman on Oct 23, 2009 1:57 PM MDT up reply actions

There was a Seahawks fan like this guy on here last week too.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Oct 23, 2009 3:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Hope

This game is a longshot. No doubt about it. But what gives me hope is that other than the Saints, the Giants really haven’t faced any good teams. Beating up on lousy teams will make any team look impressive. If the Saints can carve up the Giants defense in the passing game, there is no reason the Cardinals shouldn’t be able to score some points. We know the Cardinals are solid against the run, and they at least have the talent to keep the passing game in check. This game should be winnable.

That said, the game is still a longshot. We haven’t seen any consistency from our O-line yet. If Warner doesn’t have time, we lose. That’s it. Our pass rush also hasn’t been consistent. If we can’t pressure Eli, we lose.

by Vaegrin on Oct 22, 2009 12:36 PM MDT reply actions

pretty fair, I think I pretty much agree with every one of them

hopefully this game won’t be won in the trenches

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Oct 22, 2009 1:25 PM MDT reply actions

Agreed with all of your points.

It will be a tough game for the Cardinals to win, I see the Giants winning it, but I think the Cardinals can keep it close.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Oct 22, 2009 2:07 PM MDT reply actions

Agree, but I believe.

I believe the Cardinals will win. I admit it will be a tough one and they’ll have to play near-perfect, but I think they’ll squeak by at the end. Go Warner! Go Fitz! Go Cards!

by psknapp on Oct 22, 2009 11:25 PM MDT reply actions

sorry cards fans

Not a chance, you’re gonna get a beat down in the Meadowlands!!

by luvmesomegmen on Oct 23, 2009 10:41 AM MDT up reply actions

U already said that

try using an actual argument rather than just stating your opinion.

It would save the Giants Defence a lot of time if QBs just stayed down!

by ChuckyofNorris on Oct 24, 2009 6:48 AM MDT up reply actions

Just about every 'close one' that the Cards have a 'real shot' at winning, they blow

It’s the regular season, c’mon. On paper we have a chance. I just hope we don’t get embarrassed. We don’t really need a win here, but we do need to see progress.

by tw3kr on Oct 23, 2009 12:33 AM MDT reply actions

I'm gonna say it's a must-win.

We’re still technically a half game back from the 49ers and if they beat the Texans in Houston, we’d slip to 1 1/2 games.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Oct 23, 2009 11:38 AM MDT up reply actions

I think we either need to take this one or the game against the Bears and go at least 2-1 in the next 3 games.

San Fran will also be wanting to go 2-1 in their next 3 games but will be just as tough as they face Houston, Indy, and then Tennessee. I think they take the Tennessee game while losing the Indy game. The Houston game could go either way.

by Pyromnc on Oct 23, 2009 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Tennessee is a tough game now?

I would not be worried about them after how bad they looked over the season so far…

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Oct 23, 2009 3:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Bears and Carolina = can-win games

Then we play the ‘hawks again, STL, and TEN before the Vikings come to town. You don’t see us going 5-2 or, at worst, 4-3? And it ends with the ’9ers again, DET, and GB. 3-1 or 2-2?

I think we’ll be okay if we don’t win this week. I didn’t look at the ‘9ers schedule, but I have yet to hear anyone think they’ll get more than 8 wins this year…

by tw3kr on Oct 23, 2009 11:45 PM MDT up reply actions

Schedule So Far

So far the Cards have won the games they are supposed to and lost the ones they were supposed to. The only one that is questionable is the home opener against San Fran, and obviously that one was pretty close.

Lets see if the Cards are ready to step up and win a game they “aren’t supposed to win.”

by CaliforniaCardFan on Oct 24, 2009 8:09 PM MDT reply actions