MOST IMPORTANT OFFENSIVE PLAYER
RB Brandon Jacobs. Sure, everyone automatically assumes QB Eli Manning owns this category, but as Tiki Barber’s replacement, bruising Jacobs must prove he can not only keep packing a punch, but handle the heat that comes with the spotlight.
MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSIVE PLAYER
LB Mathias Kiwanuka. There’s a glaring need for a playmaker, and this guy in his first year at strong-side linebacker has the smarts and athletic goods to fill the bill, as long as he makes the difficult transition from defensive end.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
WR Steve Smith. This polished receiver from USC inhales every pass in his vicinity, runs precise routes, has mucho big-game experience, and will make an impact early and often.
STAR ON THE RISE
RG Chris Snee. He hasn’t made the Pro Bowl, yet. Can brawl, maul, and watch him get out and pull. Nasty when he wants to be, solid whenever needed him to be.
BIGGEST GAME
Sept. 30 vs. Eagles at Giants Stadium. The Giants in general and Tom Coughlin in particular need a fast start, and this nationally televised night game, against a heated rival, ends the first quarter of the season and pits defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo against his former team.
BIGGEST COACHING DECISION
Deciding how to handle DE Michael Strahan. He turns 36 Nov. 21 and the plan is to play him in a rotation along with Justin Tuck. Less may be better for Strahan, but he’s a proud player, and there might be a temptation to keep him on the field when things get sticky.
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF…
A slow start (such as an opening-game loss in Dallas) initiates the first wave of speculation on Coughlin’s coaching security. Fair or not, that’s all it will take to dredge up all the bad vibes from last season.
SURE TO MAKE BIG BLUE FANS GRUMBLE
Seeing Strahan finally arrive, then get hurt. Watching another fast Manning start fade to the finish. Hearing the radio voice of the Giants, Bob Papa, exclaim, “There’s a penalty on the Giants and Coughlin is absolutely livid on the sideline!” Witnessing even more losses at Giants Stadium (five last year).
THE GIANTS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF …
Jacobs rushes for 1,350 yards. Manning completes 61 percent of his passes. DE Osi Umenyiora has 12 sacks. There are no “Who replaces Coughlin?” polls printed before midseason. Strahan plays in 13 games. They go 4-2 in the NFC East, beat the 49ers at Giants Stadium, and the Bears in Chicago.
THE GIANTS WILL MISS THE PLAYOFFS IF …
TE Jeremy Shockey and WR Plaxico Burress don’t combine for 140 catches and 20 TDs. Strahan has no more than six sacks. They don’t sweep the Redskins. Manning rips Tiki again. Jacobs doesn’t get at least 300 rushing attempts. They consume too many pints of ale in London.
THE SCHEDULE
Sept. 9 at Dallas 8:15 NBC
Sept. 16 GREEN BAY 1:00 FOX
Sept. 23 at Washington 4:15 FOX
Sept. 30 PHILADELPHIA 8:15 NBC
Oct. 7 JETS 1:00 CBS
Oct. 15 at Atlanta 8:30 ESPN
Oct. 21 SAN FRANCISCO 1:00 FOX
Oct. 28 Miami (at London) 1:00 FOX
Nov. 4 Bye week
Nov. 11 DALLAS 4:15 FOX
Nov. 18 at Detroit 4:15 FOX
Nov. 25 MINNESOTA 1:00 FOX
Dec. 2 at Chicago 4:15 FOX
Dec. 9 at Philadelphia 1:00 FOX
Dec. 16 WASHINGTON 8:15 NBC
Dec. 23 at Buffalo 1:00 FOX
Dec. 29 NEW ENGLAND 8:15 NFLN
(Starting times subject to change beginning Nov. 18 due to national TV game selections).
