JEFF ALLEN GAME PREVIEW: NEW ORLEANS at GIANTS
The Saints and Giants reprise last year’s 52-49 shootout at the Super Dome in what figure to be
Week Two’s high on entertainment value matchup. In last year’s game, Drew Brees and Eli manning
combined for 855 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air. Brees threw for 431 yards and four
scores in the Saints loss to Oakland. Derek Carr threw for 319 yards and a score against the horrific
Saints secondary so it’s reasonable to assume we’ll see more of the same here.
In last year’s November 1st meeting indoors, the Saints were -3 with the total 51 1/2. Sunday’s game
at The Meadowlands opened Giants -5.5 and 51 1/2. Saints and over money has sent the game to
G-Men -4.5 and the total up a full two points to 53 1/2. Weather could be an issue and should be checked
closer to game time as there is a 50% chance of thunderstorms as of this writing. Fox carries the 1:00 PM
EST kickoff.
It looks to be the same old same old in the Crescent City. Off back-to-back 7-9 years, New Orleans really
looked to be needing to make a playoff run but … Sean Payton has been extended and Brees just got a new
two year deal so it looks like status quo for the time being. The Saints will get their points and will somehow
have to figure out how to slow their opponents down to outscore them in the end.
The Giants spent a ton of money in the off-season to address their defensive needs and while still a work
in progress, played well against the Cowboys in their Week One win. Big Blue still has major questions on
the offensive line and is yet to show it can run the football with any type of consistency. The offense depends
on whether the good Eli or bad Eli decides to show up. The good Eli has the best wide out in football in Odell
Beckham Jr. who’s number can only get better now that Victor Cruz has returned to the slot.
Might be inclined to look at the Giants here after New York pulled out last week’s late win over Dallas after
blowing five fourth quarter leads last year but … you then look at last year’s box score and see Bree’s 511
yards and 7 touchdowns. Add to the mix Brees 7-3-1 road dog tag the last two years and it’s over or pass
for us.