Vikings the Team to Beat in NFC?

Now that Brett Favre has once again decided to come back and play in the NFL, for the Minnesota Vikings. I have to pose a big question. Are the Vikings the team to beat in the NFC? Well, no matter what you believe it seems that's what a lot of experts are predicting. Maybe they are, and maybe they are not the best team. We will not know until the season ends in Miami. I believe it is crazy to say that the Vikings are now the team to beat, because they just signed a QB that can't throw the ball like he once could. Winning in the NFL is about more then signing a future hall of fame QB. It is also about depth, unity, leadership, and perseverance. All the reasons why I will argue that the New York Giants are the team to beat.

• Just like Eli Manning, Favre has to get used to and learn how his new receiving corps plays and operates. In Eli's case most of the receivers on the Giants have been with Eli for at least 2-3 seasons. Both will be challenged in this area, but Eli has the edge.
  
• Favre will not be a leader for the Vikings and it is important that your quarterback is one of your key leaders. At least on the offensive side of the ball, since everything revolves around him. A leader must have trust with his teammates and Favre can't develop that on the fly.
• In football it has been proven year in and year out that you can't win Super Bowls by bringing in a high priced star. Just ask the Redskins and Cowboys how that is working out.
• The Giants defense is much better then the Vikings. It is great that the Vikings have 2 good DT's and Jared Allen at one DE spot. But I'm sorry, having Ray Edwards as your other DE is not disturbing to any team coming in to play you. The Vikings have 1-2 pass rushers. The Giants have 5-6 pass rushers, in Justin Tuck , Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiawanuka, Chris Canty, Clint Sintim, Michael Boley. Which can rotate in and stay fresh throughout the game.
• I don't see a leader like Antonio Pierce, who gets his guys up each and every game to believe that they can win no matter what. That is the leadership you need in order to win. Guys like Tuck, Jacobs and Pierce lead in an unselfish way as well. All they want is another ring and unlike the Vikings the Giants know what it will take.
• The Vikings have not proven that they know how to win the tough games down the stretch to make a run. Last season they squeaked out a win at home against David Carr and the Giants reserves to get into the playoffs. Brett Favre does make this team a much better team, don't get me wrong. But I do not see them as the team to beat.

Post your comments below and tell me who you believe is the team to beat.

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Giants Look Very Deep in 24-17 Victory

Every Giants fan waking up this morning should be satisfied with last nights performance. The offense looked strong, the running game hasn't missed a beat and the Giants may have the deepest team in the NFL. Below are the plays that stood out to me in this game.

PLAYER NOTES

- WR Manningham had a very nice punt return. He showed good vision and quickness to get up field.

- DE Osi Umenyiora is back, he looked like he has not even missed a beat from being out last season. Great sack and FF, by blowing right past the o-lineman.

- WR Manninghan had a nice 10 yd catch on a 3rd and 5 from Manning. But it was called back due to a penalty on Kareem Mckenzie.

- HB Jacobs had a nice catch out the back field to gain about 10 yds for a first down. This may be a sign he has improved his pass catching. We will have to wait and see.

- HB Jacobs burst through the line for a 22 yd run. All in all Jacobs looks good and ready to roll.

- WR Hixon caught a WR screen and had a nice 18 yard gain. Showed great focus and burst up the field.

- HB Bradshaw scored on a 19 yd run. Great burst and strength. He looks like the Bradshaw that led the Giants in rushing when they won the Super Bowl.

- WR Sinorice Moss had a very nice catch over the middle for a 9 yd gain and a first down. I would like to see him do this all season out of the slot.

- QB David Carr ran the ball for a 13 yd gain that kept a drive going. He is a very good QB that can keep plays going with his legs.

- K Tynes missed a 43 yd FG. Here comes Mr. Inconsistent. There is no reason to miss a 43 yd FG. The Giants will need to make an upgrade at kicker sometime in the future.

- LB Gerris Wilkinson had a nice burst into the back field to slow down the Carolina HB and stop him a yd short of a first down. If he stays healthy he will be a great contributor on this defense.

- CB Stoney Woodson took advantage of a tipped ball and made a nice INT. Giants have great depth at CB.

- DE Maurice Evans had a very nice sack and FF. He looked like Osi for a minute.

- HB Danny Ware, had a great catch and run for a 22 yd TD on a screen pass. Once again Danny Ware has shown he can play and that he belongs in the NFL.

- QB Andre Woodson, threw an INT by forcing a pass into coverage. Bad decision. Not good for his case to stick on the roster.

- WR Ramses Barden, made a nice 20 yd catch on a 3rd and long play. If he keeps catching the ball, he may make a nice impact this season.

- LB Clint Sintim, sack and FF, who didn't have one in this game? Shows just how deep the Giants are with pass rushers.

- HB Allen Patrick, Showed he may be the guy for that #4 HB spot with a nice 29 yd run.

- K Tynes, makes a 46 yd FG, go figure, he made one.

- WR Hakeem Nicks, Made a nice 9 yd catch for a 1st down. He bobbled the ball because the defender got a hand on it. But he showed great concentration and hauled it in.

- DE Tommy Hill, Made a great play with an INT for a TD to win the game.

OTHER NOTES

- Jerry Reese has stacked this team with depth (I will elaborate more in a later post)

- Danny Ware Moved the chains well.

- Feagles is ageless, after 22 yrs he can still stick the opponent well inside the 20.

- O-line might be the only position where depth might be a concern.

- Great challenge by Coughlin on that Goodson fumble. It was clearly a fumble.

- What a great ending to a game, even though it was only preseason. I was dreading a preseason OT game.

What did you think of the game? Leave your comments below.

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