Big Blue's Defense Needs to Set the Tone

From the opening kickoff to the final whistle the New York Football Giants will have to play fast, hard hitting, up tempo, and tenacious defense. You might say to yourself, well of coarse they do, the defense is the greatest strength of this team. If you did think that, then you are catching onto what I am going to talk about.

The Giants defense right now has been one of the strongest on paper and they need to prove it by acting like it on the field. We know the Giants offense can run the ball. But lets face it, this offense may not be ready to come out and explode right away. I truly believe towards the middle of the season the offense will have its act together with a good balance and execution of running the ball and passing it down field. But right now with the passing game still in doubt to an extent, the Giants defense needs to put Manning and company into great positions to score and make plays.

The Giants pass rush is the obvious part of this defense that needs to get going and not slow down. Bill Sheridan needs to be prepared to dominate this game by not letting Jason Campbell breathe in the pocket. He will need to keep Jim Zorn and the Redskins guessing all game and overtake the trenches. There will be no excuse to do anything but make plays with Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, Rocky Benard, and Chris Canty (he will probably be limited) all rotating and keeping each other fresh. The table is set for this defense to wreak havoc and its now their time to deliver.

Since the Redskins are a run first team the Giants need to slow Clinton Portis down and force Jason Campbell into passing situations. If the Giants can do this they should have no problem limiting the Skins offense to under ten points. This game will be won through field position as well. If the Giants can pin Washington back and force them into three and outs it will be a long night for Jim Zorn's team.