Eli Manning takes the Giants into his native New Orleans tonight and the team is going to need him to elevate his game even further. Facing a very good Saints club, New York has once again been decimated by injuries. Left tackle, Will Beatty, is out with a detached retina, necessitating a move back to the position by David Diehl. Kevin Boothe will move into Diehl's left guard spot. Michael Boley and Ahmad Bradshaw will also miss the game, leaving two rookies starting at linebacker and the ineffective Brandon Jacobs to run the ball. Finally, Mario Manningham has not practiced all week and remains a game-time decision.
It's hard, if not impossible, to see how the Giants emerge with a win. Even if Eli Manning manages to overcome his patchwork offensive line and lack of running game, the Giants defense will need to stop Drew Brees. Brees has thrown for over 250 yards in every game this year and he 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The thinking here is that New York puts up some points, but Brees and the Saints cut up the Giants defense. New York losses again and returns home to face the perfect Packers next Sunday.
