The Saints finally finish up their run of three straight New York-based opponents when they take on the Giants in the Superdome during week five of the season. Since last facing each other, the Giants went and won themselves a Super Bowl and became a perennial contender. To be sure, the G-Men will provide a tough test for the Saints, in particular, their agressive defense. Hopefully, the results of this years clash will closely mirror those of the last meeting between these two teams. Something tells me it won't.
Giants Offense
New Orleans native Eli Manning is still running the show in New York but the team around him has seen some change. To offset the loss of their two big receivers, Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, the Giants used their first round pick to take Hakeem Nicks in this years draft. They also selected receiver Ramses Barden and tight end Travis Beckum for added depth. Steve Smith (not that one), who led the team in receptions last year, will remain one of Manning's favorite targets while Domenik Hixon should develop quite nicely this season.
On the ground, Brandon Jacobs will certainly continue to be the main man for the G-Men, who led the league in rushing last season, but they've lost Derrick Ward, their 1,000-yard backup. Yes, that's right...backup. Ahmad Bradshaw should step up and fill that role in 2009 while a slew of other young backs like Danny Ware, Andre Brown, Allen Patrick and Dwayne Wright all fight for a spot in camp.
This is going to be a tough challenge for the Saints defense but certainly not impossible, especially if improvement really has been made.
Giants Defense
Two years ago the Giants defense was so good they were credited with taking down the almighty and undefeated New England Patriots. So good, in fact, that the Saints used them as a model for getting pressure on the quarterback last season. It didn't really work for the Saints but the Giants kept on rolling with 42 sacks and finished 2008 with the leagues fifth best defense. And all of this without Osi Umenyiora. Now Umenyiora is back and the team has also added defensive tackles Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty to further make their defensive line just scary good.
To help upgrade their linebacking corp, possibly the weakest aspect of their defense, the Giants have added Michael Boley and stole first round prospect Clint Sintim in the second round of this years draft to help veteran Antonio Pierce. This should definitely be an area of improvement in 2009.
In the pass defense department, New York has lost cornerbacks R.W. McQuarters and Sam Madison as well as safeties Sammy Knight and James Butler. The team is hoping that late round draft picks DeAndrew Wright and Stony Woodson along with safety C.C. Brown will offer depth behind Corey Webster, Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson.
New Yorks defense definitely poses a legitimate threat to the Saints powerful offense. Not good.
Giants 2008 Season
12-4 Record
Last Meeting
December 24th, 2006
| Week 16 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | F |
| Saints | 3 | 10 | 7 | 10 | -- | 30 |
| Giants | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | 7 |
Why the Saints Can Win
They Saints have been known to shut down very talented running backs.
Why the Saints Can Lose
The Giants defense may be too much to handle.
Prediction
Saints 17 - Giants 15
Newly Acquired
TE George Wrighster
DT Chris Canty
DT Rocky Bernard
OLB Michael Boley
S C.C. Brown
2009 Draft Class
WR Hakeem Nicks
OLB Clint Sintim
OT William Beatty
WR Ramses Barden
TE Travis Beckum
RB Andre Brown
QB Rhett Bomar
CB DeAndre Wright
CB Stoney Woodson
Key Losses
RB Derrick Ward
RB Reuben Droughns
WR Plaxico Burress
WR Amani Toomer
TE Darcy Johnson
TE Martrez Milner
OT Shane Olivea
C Grey Ruegamer
DE Jerome McDougle
CB R.W. McQuarters
CB Sam Madison
S James Butler
S Sammy Knight
K John Carney