G-strings or G-men

In just a little less than 2 hours from now, we are going to find out the true identity of the New York Football Giants. Blow number one may have taken place as Jeremy Shockey did not make the trip to the nation's capital for tonight's game...maybe he has G-strings and getting rid of Tom on his mind. The Giants have lost 6 of their last seven, yet still control their own destiny for the playoffs...thus showing the "parity" of the NFL. Tom Coughlin's job is on the line tonight and that was made abundantly clear when he demoted his O-coordinator and put the play calling duties in the hands of Kevin Gilbride...the QB coach who has done such a great job with Manning this year...NOT!!!!

On the other sideline, Jason Campbell has been getting better every week. He is only 2 - 4 as a starter, but they have essentially been in every game. What more would the Redskins like for the New Year than to keep the hated Giants out of the playoffs. Ladell Betts has been doing more than adequate in replacing Clinton Portis thus far this year. To say this D has been mediocre would be insulting all mediocre D's across the league.

So what is a Guru to do? The ESPN experts are split on this game. All the CBS experts save one are taking the Redskins. The teams match up fairly equal on paper. Average offenses and average defenses. If Jeremy Shockey would take his G-string off and play, then I would definitely look for the Giants to expose the bad passing D of the Redskins, but he is not playing. Plax will be flailing his arms and pouting at the fist over throw.

"The Man" has the Giants giving 2 and the total at 43. Desperation should overcome pride in this type of a game, but you never know, which means I think the Giants win. Therefore, I am going against the experts and taking the Giants for 3 stars. As for the total, the tie breaker in the NFC could come down to margin of victory, so there will be no letting up. I would ultimately think that two run first teams should go under the total, but in this case the Giants will need to push the offense in this game. Therefore, I am going over the total as well, but no official play.