The getting is good this weekend for the Giants and Jets

12/18/08
eli manning
By Max J. Dickstein

The getting is good this weekend for the Giants and Jets

Photo credit: Game Face

Eli Manning (Getty Images)

By Max J. Dickstein

In the 17-week NFL schedule, every week’s matchup is urgent.

But for the Jets and Giants, this second-to-last weekend of the season is a benchmark for two much-heralded teams that still lack a firm grip on their destinies.

On Sunday afternoon, the Jets (9-5) need to win a trap game — and finally crush an inferior opponent on the road — in Seattle while keeping pace with Miami and New England in the AFC East.

The Giants (11-3) need to beat back the Panthers, a potent NFC challenger, and clinch homefield advantage throughout the playoffs while playing their third game in prime time on a Sunday night.

Big Blue bought itself leeway with an 11-1 start, but consecutive losses to the Eagles and Cowboys deflated the cushion.Carolina (11-3) has shadowed the Giants all year, building its case as the class of the NFC.

Fiery Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith and the 23-touchdown “Smash and Dash” rushing tandem of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams lead the Panthers’ offense. Julius Peppers and his 12 sacks anchor a defense that will try to harry Eli Manning.

The Panthers’ running attack (ranked fourth to the Giants’ second) and jolting pass rush seem styled after the Giants’. The defending Super Bowl champions must administer a lesson in authenticity to Carolina, even if top running back Brandon Jacobs misses his third game of the season with a sore left knee.

Meanwhile, by edging Buffalo 31-27 last week, the Jets saved some face after humiliating losses to Denver and San Francisco. But a loss at the Seahawks (2-12) on Sunday would be disastrous, not embarassing, and could change the archrival Dolphins’ visit to the Meadowlands next week from a potential win-or-go-home game into a sad coda.

With Brett Favre’s arm — if not his leadership — lagging, the Jets will need continued exemplary play from running back Thomas Jones, who was honored as the team’s MVP on Thursday.
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The getting is good this weekend for the Giants and Jets

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