1st and 10: First look at the New York Giants

Each week we will give you the first look at the Arizona Cardinals opponent by giving you ten bits of information you may find useful. This weeks focus, the New York Giants

10. Giants last game: Giants 30, Ravens 10

The Giants dominated the line of scrimmage, and quarterback Eli Manning (13 of 23, one touchdown, one interception) made plays when he had to. If not for his interception just before the half, the Giants (9-1) could’ve padded their lead to 27-3.

The Giants shut down the Ravens’ running game early in the game, putting even more pressure on rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to make plays. Flacco took off running on several plays and brought the Ravens to within 20-10 after an impressive drive in the third quarter. Giants cornerback Aaron Ross ended any hope of a Ravens comeback when he picked off a pass late in the third quarter and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown.

~Matt Mosley ESPN NFC East Blog

9. Maybe the New York media isn’t as harsh as everyone says it is. They seem to love what Eli Manning does for them.

Manning further has established himself as second only to Derek Jeter among grand masters of the New York sports media game.

In short: Be friendly. Be accessible. Be careful.

“It’s natural, just me being me,” Manning said after Sunday’s victory and before holding his news conference, which attracted only six reporters, and one camera crew soundman who briefly dozed off. “Early on, you learn you can make mistakes if you say things, kind of get tricked into saying things. I do not want to cause controversy, but I don’t want to cause controversy in my normal life, anyway. I just try to be friendly, talk to them, answer questions and try to be myself.”

~Neil Best, New York Newsday

8. Some New York fans, and media, may be overlooking the Cardinals game and focusing on bigger dreams. An all-New York Super Bowl (Please no! Two weeks of Brett Favre and Eli Manning talk could kill a man!)

The Giants at 9-1 are poised to lock up home field throughout the playoffs and should that happen, it’ll seem like 1986 all over. For them, anyway. Once again, the Jets are the issue here. Even at 7-3 and holding the division lead, they’re not convincing as championship material yet. There’s a game Sunday with the Titans, then another month of football, and if all goes right, an even bigger game in Tennessee.

“I’d like to see Jets vs. Giants happen,” former Jets’ head coach Joe Walton said. “It would be a nice thing.”

~Shaun Powell, New York Newsday

7. Brandon Jacobs had a precautionary MRI, but unfortunately for the Cardinals, he’ll be ready to play on Sunday.

Brandon Jacobs’ MRI from today revealed no structural damage to his injured knee, according to someone familiar with the results of the test.

“Nothing serious,” the source said. “Just swollen and sore.”

With a lack of serious damage and Jacobs’ trying to prove he can play 16 games, I’d say it’s safe to assume he’ll be on the field in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday for the first time since Super Bowl XLII.

~Mike Garafolo, The Star-Ledger

6. Do You Care, that the Arizona Cardinals are 41-79-2 all-time against the Giants, and have been outscored 2684-2046? If those average numbers per game hold up, this week’s final will be Giants 20 Cardinals 17.

5. 300!: Kurt Warner may have a tough time reaching his 5th consecutive game with 300 passing yards or more. This season the Giants have yet to give up 300 yards to any quarterback, and they have not given up 300 passing yards in their last 24 games (including playoffs).

4. Eli Manning isn’t the focal point of the Giants offense as of late.

It seems a little strange to suggest the Super Bowl MVP quarterback has been pushed to the background in his own offense, but that’s what has happened to Eli Manning in the last month or so.

~Michael Eisen, Giants.com

3. Looking to give Giants’ fans a hard time before the game?
Check out the Giant Insider to participate in their Forums.

2. Just a reminder, Eli’s comin’…hide your heart girls.

1. This will be one offensive game.
The Cardinals rank third in the NFL in points at 28.9 per game, second in yards at 392.7 per game and second in passing yards at 305.8 per game. The Giants are just as good ranking first in points averaging 29.2 a game, fourth in yards with 372.5 a game, and first in rushing 172.7 per game.

Subscribe to your favorite Phoenix team or sport or Follow us on Twitter.

Tags: Brandon Jacobs, Eli Manning, New York Giants