Giants will not be prepared for the Saints

With the upcoming NFL week 6 games approaching, I find it doubtful that any of them will generate more excitement than the Saints/Giants showdown. Whichever team that is able to claim victory this upcoming Sunday will make a powerful argument as to who is the most dominant team in the NFC, and perhaps, the NFL.

The Giants are coming off a five game winning streak, and are sitting atop the power rankings in the NFC. Their elite defense, combined with solid play from quarterback Eli Manning, have enabled them to obliterate the competition thus far. I believe it is safe to say at this point that expectations for this 2009 squad are intensifying.

Of course, there is the matter of the quality of opposition to consider. Just for a moment, let us pretend that every team faced so far by the Giants are middle school students. If I had to issue a quarterly report card for their performance, it might raise some eyebrows. Lets just say that their folks would be none too proud.

I think that most people would be in agreement with me in saying that the cowboys have been the most formidable foe overcome by New York at this point. Though their level of play should not be described as abhorrent, it has most definitely once again failed to meet expectations. Dallas is only one overtime victory away from having most of their organization on the chopping block. It is entirely possible that they may get it together and make a good run, but all indicators at this time point to mediocrity.

Another questionable team on the Giants schedule is the Redskins. Though they have managed to acquire a couple of wins, they shoulder the great dishonor of being the only team to lose to Detroit in quite some time. After letting one slip to winless Carolina, There will be much pressure to defeat the Chiefs, as this may be the only winnable game on their schedule for the next month and a half.

When discussing the other teams, (Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and Oakland) there are not too many positive things to say right now. Almost all hope for any of these clubs for having a respectable season has been crushed into a fine powder. Kansas City and Tampa Bay have shown some capability in being able to hang with some tough competition, but until they get their first taste of victory, the disrespect will be perpetual. As for the deplorable Raiders, the subject is somewhat of a dead horse, but maybe it could stand to be beaten some more. Beginning week 3, their margin of defeat has continued to grow substantially. It may increase further if they fail to bolster what seems to be an imploding organization.

Of Course, the point I'm trying to make here is that New Orleans has had tougher competition, and has made a stronger case for itself up to this point. Though Detroit and Buffalo are struggling at this point, I do believe that the Jets and the Eagles will finish the regular season with a more than solid record. Yes, Mcnabb did not play against New Orleans, but I still believe that New Orleans would have won that game. Anytime a team goes on the road and defeats tough team like that, it says a good deal about the character of your squad.
The Saints, with the support of an enormously electrified home crowd, should be able to pull off a win in week 6. However, I don't want to get too carried away here. I find it doubtful that this game will be decided by more than one score.