Giants football Gameday

Washington is in the Meadowlands in a meaningless game that if you go to in this weather you deserve the frostbite you'll surely get. Do you want to watch Kirk Cousins beat the G-Men? Of course not, stay home and worry about...

DraftWatch®
The Browns have clinched the #1 overall pick. With a loss the Giants have the #2 pick locked up. Then they wait for the Browns to make the mistake of picking Rosen or Darnold or Lamar Jackson first, then they take Saquon Barkley. At this point with questions about each QB the Browns would be wise to take Barkley #1 and if the Giants want to pick one of those three the Browns would have two more to choose from. Wait, what about the Colts? Good question. One of the more intriguing games today is in Indy where Houston, directly behind the Colts in the draft order goes to finish the season. If the Colts win today the Browns will draft #1 and #3. If not it'll be 1 and 4. The Colts are not going to take a QB with Andrew Luck so again, the Browns would have two of the three to choose from.

1) Cleveland Browns -- In Pittsburgh for their yearly hiding
2) New Jersey Giants -- Hosting Washington with subzero wind chills
3) Indianapolis Colts -- At home to Houston. GO COLTS!
4) Houston Texans -- Just lose in Indy, find a way
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Where are your Buccaneers? Under my Buc'n hat

Fearless Forecast
Washington Cousins 21
New York Giants 11

Giants football Gameday!

OK, we're going with the premise nobody cares about the matchups, who might have a slight edge in what and who is hot. It's ALL about that draft pick at this point so let's get to:

DraftWatch 2017®
The Giants simply have to lose to Dallas today. IF the Browns can somehow manage to win two games and the Giants win no more it's the Giants in the #1 overall draft slot. They also can't afford to fall back any further if they hope for that very high pick ala 'QB of the future' after Eli. We'd be remiss if we didn't discuss the 'Gruden Rumor' that popped up this week as well. Monday Night Football analyst and Super Bowl winning coach with Tampa Bay, John Gruden said he'd be interested in the Giants head coaching job, only IF Eli were still the QB. That would also no doubt change the thinking of that top three pick. Gruden loves to run. The Barkley kid might fight that slot. It becomes more and more fun to speculate on the draft at this late date Giants fans, take it from Browns fan Johnny.

The Browns today have a better than average chance to actually win. Follow Johnny on this. The Packers are hot, just trying to get to Aaron Rodgers return next week for a late playoff push. They are expecting to win today in Cleveland. BUT, if you took these teams stats and took away the helmet indicator and you saw 'Defense vs Rush' or 'Rushing yards' and the like....you'd pick the Browns to win. Yes, the Browns look better on paper at 0-12 than 6-6 Green Bay. FYI the Browns are 6th against the rush in the NFL this year. Didn't have that did you? Also, the Browns fired their GM and hired someone new this week. Jobs are on the line. Veterans will show up to play today. That's why today could, stress could be that day the Browns rise up and win a game. With the Bears in two weeks they have another chance Giants fans, keep your eye on this game.

DraftWatch Standings:
Cleveland Browns 0-12
New Jersey Giants 2-10
San Francisco 49ers 2-10
Denver Donkeys 3-9
Indianapolis Colts 3-9
The Chicago Bears are also sniffing around the pile at 3-9. If you're a Browns fan, after the Bears come the Houston Texans at 4-8 and the Browns have their #1 pick for that classic Browns-like trade for Brock Assweiler.

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 21
Dallass Cowboys 20

Giants football gameday -- The Geno Smith era dawns

Yeeeeaaaah. Johnny remembers when Bill Belichick took over the Browns back in the 90's and ran the very popular Bernie Kosar out of town so he does know how Giants fans are feeling shocked and betrayed over Eli Manning. Of course Kosar was traded to Dallas, took over for a half season when Troy Aikman was hurt and won his Super Bowl ring.

Then the Browns moved so the comparison ends there.

What.A.Mess. Head coach Ben McAdoo is rumored to be broomed as early as tomorrow morning but then again didn't we all hear that last week? Let's see but onto the Raiders.

The Giants need to---Oh screw all that. Nobody cares. They want McAdoo to lose (as if the Giants somehow can't) 40-0.

DraftWatch®
Cleveland 0-11 (At the Chargers today, 25% chance to win)
NY Giants 2-10 (That loss to SF pays big dividends)
San Francisco 2-10 (JUST defeated the Bears 15-14)
Denver 3-9 (Getting whipped by the Dolphins now)
Indianapolis 3-9 (Taking the ziggy vs the Jags today)

When it comes to the draft thing, keep Eli on the bench. When it comes to what's right, fire McAdoo and put Eli back in.

Fearless Forecast
Oakland Raiders 28
NJ Giants 17

Giants football Gameday!

Look, theres only one reason this game matters, draft picks. We're not going to go into any depth about the Giants needing to establish a run against today's opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, we don't care about how bad the Niners pass defense matches up with Big Blue tight ends and wideouts, so lets just skip down to the draft watch, THAT is why we're here today.

Draft Watch®
1) San Francisco 49ers (0-9)
2) Cleveland Browns (0-8)
3) New York Giants (1-7)
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6)
5) Indianapolis Colts (3-6)

You can clearly see why today's game is so important. Should the Giants LOSE to San Fran, they'd slide into the #2 slot behind Cleveland. The Browns are in Detroit today and will more than likely be 'turkey-holed' to death by Matthew Stafford at Ford Field. Another point in a Giants loss, the Giants would have to win another game for San Fran to slide back in front (if you will). A loss gives the Giants the tiebreaker with the Niners. Indy hosts the Stoolers today so we'd be willing to bet the Colts go to 3-7. The Jets, just off this list, are in Tampa today. That game could go either way so do keep an eye on it.

Giants Football Gameday!

It's a 4:25 kickoff in the New Meadowlands today for the suddenly 1-5 Giants. We warned last week about foolish wins and boy did the Giants go track one down last weekend. Luckily for them the Bears and Chargers decided to get power up and win as well, more on that below.

The Giants looked good last week, no? Hard to believe they got better by losing WR's so it must have been the change in play callers, right head coach Ben McAdoo? Seriously, if your offensive problems can be completely resolved with you out of the play-calling why do the Giants need you at all? Running today would be a very good idea for the Giants. They seriously have a chance at another foolish win if they can run and work the passing game through play-action. Eli won't have a lot of time to throw, ie last week he only threw 19 times but was sacked thrice. The Seahawks, though not their scary former selves can still dial up the defense pretty well. Eli Manning, game manager.

The Seahawks weaknesses play right into Big Blue's hands, what luck. The Seahawks offensive line has been a mess, much like the Giants, but the G-Men have a defensive front to take advantage of matters. Containing Russell Wilson is a pain in the ass for 60 minutes but if the Giants can pull off a semblance of that they'll at least be in the game late.

This smells like a low-scoring game, one decided late and probably one where special teams in the 4th quarter win or lose this for someone. If the Giants are behind late, at home, with the possibility of going 1-6 this could get ugly. We don't think that'll happen.

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 20
Seattle Peahens 14

Draft Watch
Last week the Bears, Giants and Chargers all went out and got pointless, foolish wins. The old draft pros, The Browns and 49ers, did not. The 49ers keep coming close, like every Sunday. Sooner or later they'll win one. The Browns will probably win one along the way but it'll be one nobody sees coming. This week the Bears fall off the list and Draft Watch welcomes the Colts

Standings for #1 overall pick:
1) Cleveland Browns
2) San Francisco 49ers
3) New York Giants
4) Indianapolis Colts
5) Los Diego Chargers

Giants football Gameday!

What a game we have on tap for you Giants fans over at the New Meadowlands today. It's so humid your jerseys and shirts will wear you. It'll rain off and on and did we mention, the Giants are 0-4 and their opponents today, the recently relocated Los Angeles Chargers are 0-4. You really have to love G-Men football to go to this one today. In fact Johnny's going to guess that season ticket holders were like Santa Claus this week, "Hey ah, Anthony, I know you've always wanted to go see a Giants game, how about you take MY tickets and take your girlfriend Laina with you."

Earlier this morning Anthony made a phone call, "Hey, Joey, I know you've always wanted to see the Giants play at MetLife..."

Let's skip the crapola analysis and just say if Big Blue wins today this is one of those wins you look back on draft day when you're drafting 8th not 3rd and wonder why they even tried.

Enjoy drafting 8th.

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 24
Lower California Traveling Wilburys 23

Giants football Gameday!

As the world around us devolves into madness, the Giants have become a microcosm of said whirling suck. The losing, the poor efforts, the touchdown celebrations that cost money and yards, and then last week a walk-off 61 yard FG to beat them. It's a mess, there are a million different people with different ways on how to fix 0-3 but with a feeling deep down this shitwreck of a season is over already (more on that in a bit). Today does provide one last Jon Snow coming back from the dead opportunity as the NFC isn't the best division in football. 1-3 must then become 2-3 but one game at a time.

Big Blue is down in Tampa today to take on the Buccaneers (Hey, where are your Buccaneers? Under my Buc'n hat) who are 1-1 after having one game hurricane'd out. We do know from the Bucs first two games you cannot run on them but boy can you pass on them. Giants fans, did those ears just perk up? 72 yards against on the ground on average (if there's a true average after just two games) but 335 in the air against and THAT does standout. Both the Vikings and Bears were able to throw on Tampa Bay, and they're not exactly the Patriots are they? If the New York offense did finally wake up in the 4th quarter last week then it should be able to keep on keeping on today. Johnny doesn't exactly see either team with a committed ground game today as it's just going to be too hot, 91 in Tampa with a heat index of 108º by the 4pm game time. Depth could be what wins today. Nobody can get used to that weather, it's ghastly.

So then, can the Giants contain Mike Evans who is Jameis Winston's favorite receiver and all-around big time, big play threat? Let's think on this, IF the G-Men can contain Evans, and that stout d-line can indeed control the game against the run and pressure Winston (3 TD's 3 INT's) the Giants could shorten this game and get the upset. In fact, if the Giants can fairly deal with the heat and humidity he thinks they matchup quite well with Tampa thank you.

So, your team is 0-4. Let's suppose things go wrong in Tampa and the Giants fall to 0-4 and the season is for all intents and purposes over, Johnny being a Browns fan has tips for you as 0-4 is like a bad penny, it keeps coming around for him. Look, who cares until Draft Day, it's not your problem. Go to brunch. Go to a movie, put up your Christmas lights or hope Barcelona is playing in LaLiga on BeIn Sports. All you'll need now is an NFL score app where you punch in the following teams in the race to the #1 overall pick, Browns, Chargers, Bears, Jaguars, 49ers, & Jets (The Rams just got off the list). As a Giants fan you cheer for these teams to win games by any means necessary. Yes, you DO have to hope your team loses, it's odd for a Giants fan but trust Johnny. At 0-4 you're going to have to understand that win in November against Washington dropped you from the #4 draft spot to #8. Capice?

There you go, one last gasp vs a fall of freed up Sundays, which will it be?

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 28
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24

New Jersey Giants Gameday!

In just under an hour the Giants will either continue on in their chase for a playoff spot this year or the incredulous wailing and gnashing of teeth of an off-season come early could hit around 4pm EDT today in Philadelphia.

It's pretty simple really today; The Giants offense has to show up, make an appearance, make themselves known, announce their presence with authoritah or Giants fans are gonna learn what thisBrowns fans has known for years, 0-3 or 1-4 immediately frees up your Sunday afternoons for the fall. If the Giants lose today it's 0-3 and leaf raking and hayrides. Oh its on the offense alright, they've stunk outloud both games. In some odd way the way the Eagles have ben playing does offer a glimmer of hope for the Giants offense. The Eagles have not shown any interest in running the ball. None. The Sheagles offense will rise and fall on Carson Wentz and that is where the Giants can take advantage. Their front is still very strong and should make things more difficult on Wentz than he is used to. The lack of any kind of Philly ground attack means time of possession right now is up for grabs. It'll be 93º at Lincoln Field and even hotter on the turf. Giants haven't run, Eagles haven't run. Who can keep their defense off the field better today, Eli Manning or Carson Wentz? Who doesn't throw interceptions today, Manning or Wentz? Going into the game it really does boil down to the QB's and who can manage today better.

Here you go Eli, the odd long pass won't be enough today, you're gonna have to Aaron Rodgers your way downfield consistently. Move the pocket, it's damned hot. Nobody likes chasing and chasing and getting nothing. Times like today call for the Giants' best players simply to be their best players. Johnny's kinda sorta got the feeling if the G-Men fall to 0-3 today the shadows over Manning's shoulder long-term start getting discussed over the dinner tables of NJ and NYC. Johnny's confidence the Giants could turn this around today would be greater if they'd shown any kind of coordinated attack in either of their first two games. White knuckle times indeed.

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 20
Philadelphia Sheagles 16

Giants Football Gameday!

Gee, any acrimony towards the Cowboys, NFL, and Ezekiel Elliott before the kickoff? Makes tonight's game a real barn shaker doesn't it?

For the third straight season the New Jersey Giants will start in Dallas in Goblin King Jerry Jones' palace (seen here in a file photo).

Really, it's all in front of the Giants tonight. Both of these teams are solid playoff teams, double digit wins kind of teams. Chance to make a statement, like the courts did. It seems someone will find a way for Ezekiel Elliott to play no matter what the NFL says or how big of a piece of crap Elliott allegedly is. He's just going to play by the grace of the court system and Odell Beckham Jr. is questionable as he was nicked in the first preseason game vs Cleveland. Now that we have the cast set, let's see how the pieces on the board look vs one another.

The Giants have had the upper hand on the Cowboys recently and they haven't had to run to do it. Eli Manning has proved a smart QB, who spreads the ball around and does have two or three receiving threats can keep the Dallas Eleven looking like the Eagles on any given Sunday. The possibility of no Beckham hurts but the Giants are more than prepared with Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram running through and around a questionable-at-best Cowboys secondary. Johnny actually thinks if the Giants are going to have a breakout running attack it might be tonight. Eli should keep Dallas off balance throwing which should allow the Giants O-line enough smashmouth opportunities to have an impact. We like the Giants to put up at least 24 tonight.

Dallas has a great offensive line which allowed rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott time to blossom and become superstars. They're the belles of the ball and the cat's meow.

So it's baaaaad for them the Giants defensive line ranks among the best in the NFL and has been able to handle the vaunted Dallas line the last few meetings. The G-Men don't have to be perfect on every play but if they uphold last year's second best in the points against category they should be able to contain the Dallas attack.

It's also bad there's something known as the sophomore slump. Johnny's not saying it will hit them both, or one or the other. He just knows sophomore slump is a thing and second year stars do have them.

So, big game already, tie breakers and all later on do matter. A win today is almost worth two. National teevee, last game of the day. Swimming pools, movie stars. Johnny can't wait.

Jersey City Desk Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 30
Dallass Cowboys 20

Giants football GAMEDAY Playoff Edition!

The temperature in Green Bay this morning is 0º. By the 4pm gametime it will be hovering around 13º with a wind chill of 4º. It's going to be a classic Lambeau Field freeze-fest.

In the Packers past history of the Bart Starr's and Brett Favre's playing in Lambeau Field, rarely if ever did the Green Bay Packers lose playoff games at home. Rarely if ever. Then the Falcons did it. Then the Giants and suddenly Lambeau wasn't a great bastion of security for the Packers in the cold.

Which brings us to today.

So goes Aaron Rodgers so go the Packers. The Giants learned this earlier this year and well, heck, everyone knows if Rodgers can run around and, keep plays alive, put pressure on DB's, and make amazing throws off-balance or hail mary's, he's devastating. If you can keep Rodgers bottled up in the pocket, well then, things change dramatically. The Giants have one of the few defensive lines with smart linebackers behind them who have gotten the G-men to 10 wins this year by not chasing plays and not making bonehead decisions, and that can contain Rodgers. The Packers are a team that even when the run isn't going well will stick with it to make hay later when the other team tires. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy knows what he wants to do and doesn't stray much from his gameplans, any changes will be made by Rodgers at the line of scrimmage. The Giants must stop the Green Bay run. They must also always know where the Packer's running backs coming out of the backfield are. Force Rodgers to hit big plays, contain and stop the shorties. RB's in the flats, and don't get killed by the Green Bay tight ends 7 yards over the middle. Lots of nickel today so again, the run has to be stopped by the front four. Contain and slow down the Packers. Sure they'll get yards and score but contain the damage, don't let a possible early 10-0 deficit turn into a 24-7 halftime debacle. Containment. Contest every inch and never stop working. The Packers win games late, the Giants have to build a lead.

Offensively, well the key to playoff success has long been running the football but since the Giants finished 29th in the league rushing either a miracle needs to happen or Eli has to put up about 24 points throwing the ball. Hey, would you look at that, Green Bay was 31st against the pass this year. That sure helps. Can the Giants get enough running to keep the Packers defense honest or do they have to go pass-heavy and this could possibly turn into an unexpected shootout? Johnny's guess is shootout. One team will get a lead and the other will give up running. The Giants wideouts give them a big advantage over the Packers really just having Jordy Nelson. Beckham and Cruz must have big games and feed off of each other. When the Giants hit big plays an aura comes over them and they, more than most teams, seem to really get on a roll. They'll need that aura a few times today.

These teams know each other and know what to expect. It'll come down to hard work, smart football and attention to detail. It'll be close is Johnny's best guess.

Fearless Forecast:
New Jersey Giants 23
Green Bay Packers 21

Giants football GAMEDAY!

The playoffs grow closer and boy howdy do the New Jersey Giants have a BIG game with the Lions from Johnny's hometown of Detroit in the rain today at  the new Meadowlands. Not often the Lions get out this way. Even less often leading a division by two games with three to play. The Lions last division title was back in 1993 when Scott Mitchell, Herman Moore, Barry Sanders and Johnny Morton led the Lions. Most Lions fans Johnny knows are expecting them to crash out and lose to the G-Men, Cowboys, and Packers at the end of the year and blow it. Somewhat new ground for the Motor City Kitties as they come east.

First off, if you had both the Lions and Giants and 9-4 when they played this game at the beginning of the year raise your hand.

Liarhead.

So, in the rain can the Lions running game, resurgent of late, move the ball on the ground and take pressure off Matthew Stafford's injured throwing hand? Despite what the Lions say it IS a big deal. The Bears only had a chance last week because Stafford got picked twice on throws into the flat that had nothing on them. With a wet ball can Stafford distribute it around like he wants and needs to, to the Lions better than average wideouts. There's your ballgame. Can the Giants force the Lions to pass. While neither team tears up the league in offense, (the Lions are 21st and the Giants at 27) both teams do hold onto the ball. Giants average 27 minutes a game while the Lions check in at just over 30 minutes a game with the football. Both QB's will take their shots downfield but a more conservative gameplan will be the order of the day in the rain.

This game will have a playoff feel to it no doubt. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives, the Giants to keep pace with everyone in the NFC East and the Lions to keep ahead of Green Bay and realizing no wildcards are coming out of the NFC North. It should be a conservative game for the most part and yes, wet weather can make a quick hash out of a prediction. That being said this game smells like one played with a score in the teens or low 20's. If that's the case, and with the Lions seeming invincibility late when they need it AND the fact Matt Prater is the kind of kicker who can make long field goals when needed, here we go...

Fearless Forecast
Detroit Lions 19
New Jersey Giants 17

Giants football GAMEDAY!

So, is the Giants game today on the shores of Lake Erie at the Factory of Sadness vs the 0-11 Browns a tasty helping of Thanksgiving leftovers or a hand grenade disguised as a piece of pumpkin pie? Sure that 0-11 Browns record looks like a tasty meal, at home or on the road, the Browns are inept everywhere. However, only two NFL teams have gone winless in the Super Bowl-era. Actually, before their loss to the Steelers a week back some computer sports group put out odds the Browns only had a 20% chance to lose ALL their games. This seems to be telling us that yes, indeed, there is a hand grenade aspect to today's game. If the Giants lose to an 0-11 team in basically what should be a free win, one wonders how that plays out over the past month of the season. Does everything go into the toilet?

Relax, Johnny's been a Browns fan forever and you Big Blue fans have nothing to worry about. Do you have serviceable, ne, good wideouts? Well then Eli Manning should carve up a suspect Browns secondary like cake. The Browns offer little to no pass rush, Eli should have all day to make things look good on the offensive side of the ball. The Browns can't stop the run either so make sure to throw some ball control in there too. Defensively the Giants will be going up against one of many Browns QB's; Is RGIII back? McCown? Kessler? Kosar? While they can't run the Browns can pass a little and have two actual NFL-caliber guys who catch what gets thrown, Pro Bowl TE Gary Barnidge and breakout former OSU QB Terrell Pryor. Pryor is a big target and strong, capable of breaking tackles. This IS predicated on the idea the Browns QB's have any time to throw the ball. Why do the Browns start so many quarterbacks? They all get ground up by the opposing pass rush. The Giants front four should have a field day.

Yeah, not too much to worry about today G-Men fans, unless they start fumbling the ball, Eli decides to play blindfolded, they drop punts or get lost before the game and head over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Fearless Forecast:
New Jersey Giants 31
Cleveland Browns 13

Jets football GAMEDAY!

Johnny loves scheduling quirks and we sure have one at the New Meadowlands today. The Baltimore Ravens make a second trip to Jersey in back-to-back weeks, last week vs the Giants and this week vs the woeful Jets. Last week the Giants beat the Ravens 16-10 after which Odell Beckham Jr. had sex with a kicking net. This week we think, though they have lost three in a row, the Ravens should be favorites.

Sure, there are signs that this is one of those games the Jets rise up, score 31 points and get a special teams TD or a huge day from someone, seemingly every NFL team has one of these games a year where it all comes together. The Baltisnores have only scored four more points than the Browns for heavens sake. Surely the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets can do something there to take advantage. Their defense hasn't been great but this offense they are playing today is middling at best. Middling with a really good QB who could suddenly take advantage of a bad Jets D whereas the chances of the Jets QB (Geno Smith at press time) suddenly coming up big and thrashing an average Ravens defense are much less.

The Jets are smelly and the Ravens less so. Trust us, nobody wants the Jets to start winning games than Johnny. They are in danger of somehow taking Johnny's Browns' #1 overall pick. The Brownies are 0-6 and the Jets 1-5. Too close for comfort, the Jets and anyone else with one or two wins needs to win today and certainly the next couple weeks. The Browns have worked too hard at being this bad and that #1 pick is theirs. Therefore:

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Jets 11
Baltimore Stinkbirds 10

Giants and Jet--er, Giants football Gameday!

The Jets are off until Monday, screw them.

The Giants are home today, all alone in last place in the NFC East where Philly and Dallas don't look so shitty after all. IF the Giants are to make any kid of charge and move up the standings, it HAS to start today. The Ravens are in town and they just fired their offensive coordinator so Joe Flacco will be going through a new offense at the New Meadowlands today. The Giants have to make a stand and they get a 3-2 team to try with. The G-Men are slight favorites but the way things have gone one gets the feeling they'd actually feel better about things being an underdog today.

Eli Manning and Flacco are both Super Bowl winning QB's who are off to terrible starts. Both have thrown for 5 TD's and 4 INTs. Not really Super Bowl stats BUT the Ravens did get a game vs Cleveland in already so that probably helps Flacco's numbers. As you can see from the team stats below, these teams on paper are pretty even-Steven:

Two even teams but the Giants are at home and it is a glorious fall day so there will be no weather issues. Big Blue HAS to win this game today if they want to keep pace in the division.

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 30
Mordor Ravens 24

Giants football GAMEDAY!

Hey, if the Jets have the discourtesy to play of Thursday fuck 'em, they'll get no Sunday write-up.

Points ahoy matey! The Giants and Drew Brees and the Saints are gonna pout some points on the scoreboard at the New Meadowlands. Dr. Johnny is going to tell you how and why he thinks the Giants air show could be more effective. Eli Manning doesn't seem to need to throw for 350-400 yards to get two or three passing TD's a game. For all of his brilliance, Brees does seem to need to get that many yards to get the same amount of TD's. The Giants can shorten the game with deep aerial success which after watching the Saints play the Raiders he thinks the G-Men can pass deep, kick off, and make Brees go 80 yards. Run the ball at least 100 yards and that'll also shorten and choke off the Saints offense. The Raiders ran well last week in New Orleans.

Yes, lots of points but if the Giants are smart and hit on their best chances and have their defense become enough of a breastwork (it's not dirty) to slow the Saints and claim a victory and move to 2-0 and depending on what the Sheagals do with the Bears tomorrow night hight atop the NFC East.

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 34
N'awlins Saints 28

Jets and Giants football GAMEDAY!

Hey hey, you've waited an entire offseason for your favorite area football teams to get going and today is that day! We'll start with the Giants because they would seem to have a better game with more meaning today:

The Giants are in the Jerry Jones Funhouse where anything, however improbable can and does happen to opposing teams. The Dallas Dome is fast becoming 3 Rivers Stadium/Heinz Field for the Stoolers getting magic plays and really odd calls. The "luck" the Steelers actually moved stadiums, funny how that happened. The Giants it would appear have more going for them than Dallas right now. No QB in Big D could well spell doom if the Giants can stop the Dallas run. Ezekiel Elliot must be given a rude welcome to the NFL because no backup the Cowboys use is going to beat the G Men on his own throwing. Stop. The. Run. We're guessing the Giants offense, unpredictably spotty at times last year may well be the same today but we think Eli Manning can move Big Blue more often and longer distances and they'll score just enough to get a win to start the season.

Fearless Forecast
New Jersey Giants 22
Dallas Cowboys 17

The Jets today face a team in Cincinnati that no doubt stewed in the rarefied juices of their pattymeltdown at home vs. the Steelers in last year's playoff game. They can't not have heard the jokes, the crying Jordan face memes, the Andy Dalton criticisms, the Vonteze Burfict commentary and will be ready to burst forth at the New Meadowlands today at 1pm. That can cut both ways. We know the Jets are at home but if they can keep Cincy close the first quarter and a half and draw them into a bone crushing running/field position game they have a chance. Drag Cincinnati into the deep water in the fourth quarter might be their best and only hope. The Jets are already beat up and it's Johnny best guess they won't score a lot today, they may even need like 3 field goals and a safety to get it done. Barring a Bungles collapse and bad behavior hangover we just don't see the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS winning today. Johnny hopes he's wrong but...

Fearless forecast
Cincinnati Bungles 30
New Jersey Jets 18

New Jersey Giants football gameday!

It sort of almost kind of feels like fall this morning around north Jersey and what better way to usher in a new season of New Jersey Giants football! The Giants are the first of two Monday night football games tonight with a late game featuring San Diego and, whatever. Two Monday night games. Stupid.

To downtown Detroit we go friends, and Johnny is going to hip some of you tri-staters that some Giants fans are going to come back from Ford Field and actually have nice things to say about downtown Detroit. They may have a glazed look, but know this, they weren't drugged....by Detroiters. Downtown Detroit is a great chic place anymore and when was the last time you heard that? Greektown, games at Comerica Park and Ford Field going on side by side, Mexicantown, great restaurants, the riverfront riverwalk, casinos, Woodward Ave, Canada a bridge or tunnel away and always great music. If you get the chance another time Ford Field is a great place to see a game.

The Giants are looking down the barrel of a very middling season. They aren't the team they were even two years ago. Depth is a big issue except in the secondary, the defensive line has worn down meaning each time Eli comes on he feels he needs a 14 point drive. This leads to mistakes yadda yadda yadda. While we doubt Big Blue will lose their first six games this year (And if they start 0-3 we think Cranky-pants Coughlin gets broomed) but this is a difficult road game. Forget Detroit can suck 90% of the time yet beat playoff teams when all the lights are on at Thanksgiving 43-10. Try, really try to forget Megatron plays for the Lions. A road game against a team that was close to breaking through the year before is a tough draw.

By all accounts Matthew Stafford is excelling in Jim Caldwell's new offensive circus-style gameplan. By all accounts Calvin Johnson is in the prime of a hall of fame career. The one thing Lions' opponents may fail to account for is Reggie Bush who had a great season with Detroit last year, rushing for a smidgen over 1000 yards. Spend too much time on Megatron and the Lions tight ends and Bush will feast. Detroit also added Golden Tate from the Super Bowl champion Peahens. So for all the weaponry at Stafford's disposal tonight Eli isn't quite so lucky. The offensive line is a mess and the G-Men's #1 pick WR Odell Beckham Jr. won't play tonight. The lack of a good NFL offensive line should concern Eli Manning's wife more than anyone because next to sack-meisters Nick Fairley and Ziggy Ansah lines up one Ndamukong Suh, who let's face facts is capable of any evil. One day he's just going to pull someone's leg off and beat them to death with it. Detroit has their next Alex Karras on the field today. Ndamukong just pawn in game of life. If Eli can't hook up with Victor Cruz better than last year and the new running backs aren't good, oh boy, this could be a long night and season.

No doubt the Lions well remember last Dec. 22 when the Giants but a dent hit in the Lions playoff chances 23-20. The Giants picked off Stafford twice and Megatron caught 3 balls all day. The Giants secondary had better be ready to help keep this game in the 20's as well.

Fearless Forecast (and yesterday's was a doozy kids)
Detroit 34
New Jersey Giants 20

Giants football Gameday!

The Steelers are flying in today for the game as the hotel they were staying at here in Jersey City had no power and NYC had none available. Certainly an odd gameday routine for Pittsburgh but then again, oh well. Johnny's gonna have a football watching houseful today for Giants fans who have no power. Anything to be a good neighbor and all.

Quickly, we see the Giants winning this game. They are playing well and playing consistently well in the three phases of the game. The Stoolers are no pushover, this will be a slog, but in the end Big Blue fans head home happy.

Fearless Forecast:
NJ Giants 27
Pittsburgh 20

Jets and Giants GAMEDAY!

Well kids football weather arrived with a vengeance last night which should make for some extra good tailgating out at the New Meadowlands later today and tomorrow night. Tailgating is always better when you're not wiping sweat off your face.

Johnny's Cleveland Browns roll into town to face the defending Super Bowl champs for a 1 pm kickoff. These are not the same old Browns Johnny will have you know. These are a whole set of new bums from the last bunch that couldn't win (That stunning red-ass beat down Cleveland put on the Giants on a Monday night a few years back excepted) any games. Let's face it, if the NFL used relegation like they do in European soccer the Browns would be playing in the Mountain West Conference by now. They do have stud rookie running mouth back Trent Richardson who basically called the Giants defense slow this week. Trash talking from the position of an 0-4 record. Oh boy, Oh boy, oh boy. While Richardson shows promise the Giants defense will have to contain the near-death experience that is Cleveland's passing attack. OK, that's done. The Giants offense might take a few series to really get rolling as if there is one thing the Browns' defense has historically done it is to create turnovers, namely INT's. The Browns do it well. Cleveland sports a stout defense, top 5 in the NFL currently. Still, stay away from obvious mistakes and certainly Tom Coughlin's staff can outwit and out-prepare Pat Shurmur's staff in the Giants offensive gameplan. If for whatever reason, as odd as the chances seem, if the game gets down to field goal kicking, Phil Dawson is an ace. Advantage Cleveland. Lose the game Big Blue and you will not want to see tonight's late night open thread.

Fearless Forecast:
NJ Giants 30
Cleveland 17

And if any of you have ever wondered why the Browns are the only team without a logo on their helmets perhaps this will help you understand, I give you the real Cleveland Brownie 'mascot'


Compared to the Jets however the Browns may well seem like "Air Coryell" this week. The Jetropolitans host the new NFL "it" team, Houston on Monday night. Santonio Holmes is out for the season. Tight end Dustin Keller? Yeah he's not playing tomorrow. Neither is WR Stephen Hill. Whatever is left of the Jets receiving corps is still getting the ball distributed by Mark Sanchez or at some inevitable point Tim Tebow. Just bleak. The Texans come in undefeated and looking like top contenders in the AFC. They have balance on the ground and in the air. Their defense is bottom of the pack but when you offer offensively what the Jets have left that defense looks better. As good as this game looked at the time it was scheduled, it looks like a dog today. 

Fearless Forecast:

Houston 28

NJ  Jets 13

Jets and Giants football Gameday!

And if you're NOT going to Liberty State Park for the free Aretha Franklin show and DO tend to worry about your favorite football teams on Sunday let's talk gridiron.

The Jets are home for a 1pm matchup with NFC powerhouse San Francisco. The Jets are largely up against it as what the 49ers do so well are troublesome for the Jets. The Niners run and run well. They have a great TE in Vernon Davis and some solid wide receivers. The Jets who recently have built their reputation on a shut down defense are currently ranked #21 in the NFL in total defense. When it's broken down to only rush defense the Jetropolitans are a poor 27th. No doubt Jim Harbaugh who kept his team in Ohio to practice this week will find some way to make his running game effective. More bad news for the Jets whose offense has rebounded from a moribund pre-season is that the 49ers employ a very good defense. 8th against the rush and 11th in scoring defense means the Jets are gonna have to go to the air today. Mark Sanchez is going to have to keep his composure, not turn the ball over and not get rattled. Still we see the San Francisco 11 emerging victorious today, yes even on the road.

Fearless Forecast:
San Francisco 23
New Jersey Jets 16

The G-Men are down in Philly where they blew up the Chicken Man lo those many years ago. It's a huge early NFC East test and will be shown live in living color at 8:20 tonight. Interesting matchup. The Giants are dinged up pretty well and Michael Vick can't stay healthy or complete a majority of passes to players on his own team. Intrigued yet? The Giants defense will have to stand tall as will the specialty teams for the Giants. It always seems if they play poorly against Philly the special teams let them down in some capacity. While Eli might not have his top guys catching balls tonight, he has shown through the years he can work with about any receivers and make them better. That doesn't mean he's gonna throw for 350 yards and 3 scores BUT it is an outside possibility any time he plays. Johnny thinks the difference will be that Tom Coughlin will outcoach Andy Reid, outprepare him and have his team ready from the word go. The Giants will put themselves in position to be successful and the Sheagals will have trouble doing just that.

Fearless Forecast:
New Jersey Giants 28
Sheagles 20

Your thoughts?