The glory goes elsewhere but blame sticks to an offensive line. Such is the case in football and such is the case with the Giants, who have clearly experienced a drop in effectiveness from last year to this one along their line.

Last Monday night against the Vikings, the Giants did not protect Kerry Collins very well, nor did they run the ball with much efficiency other than two long runs by Tiki Barber. Collins has been sacked 27 times, which in 10 games is only one fewer sack than all of last season.

Heading into today’s game against the Raiders, members of the Giants’ offensive line know all eyes are again on their performance.

“Certainly a good offensive line makes a team run,” right tackle Luke Petitgout said. “You look at the Jets, they’ve got a good line and they’re winning and running the ball, they’re having a good season, the same as we did last year. You can’t put it entirely on the offensive line, but you can’t ignore it and say it’s not our fault.

“We have to go out and set the tone. Last year, we’d get the ball first and we’d go down and score and we’d win the game. That’s not been the case this year.”

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Believe in trends? The Giants hope so. They are 11-1 the week prior to their bye, 4-0 under Jim Fassel.

One of the most impressive statistics in the league this season is this one: Raiders QB Rich Gannon has thrown two interceptions in 295 pass attempts. His rating of 100.7 is the best in the NFL. “He doesn’t make crazy mistakes, he can run, he can throw it,” Michael Strahan said. “He is the whole shebang.”

The Giants don’t play the Raiders much; eight times overall and not at Giants Stadium since 1995. That famous silver and black, though, means something to an opponent. “I know the Raiders,” Jessie Armstead said. “They’re not no soft team. They’re a hard-knock team. We’re not going to sit back.”

Morten Andersen has 1,999 career points and needs four to pass George Blanda and move into second on the all-time scoring list.