St Louis Rams at New York Giants Preview

It’s only Week 2, but the pressure is already on for the Giants and the Rams as they get ready for tonight’s game. Frank Doyle takes a look.

Both the Rams and Giants had bad losses last week. Not alone did they lose, but they got banged up as well. The losses a team can get over, but there are very few people in the world who can play in the National Football League and very few teams can afford to lose those guys once they’ve fond them. Ask people in Philly this morning. They know all about it.

The Rams were NFL betting underdogs last week against Philadelphia while the Giants lost as favorites at Washington, but it’s the Rams’ loss that’s worse because of the injuries.

Quarterback Sam Bradford injured his right index finger against Philadelphia in Week 1. He’ll play with a glove to protect the finger but it’s a concern for the Rams.

An even bigger concern is Steven Jackson. Jackson has been the only bright light in St Louis since the Greatest Show came to its end, pounding out the hard yards year after year, but he left the game against Philly early and the Rams have listed his status as a game-time decision. If Jackson doesn’t start, the Rams will miss him badly.

The Giants have injuries too, chiefly along the defensive line, but they’re hopeful Justin Tuck can return tonight. More bad news for Bradford, who will have to air it out, hurt finger and all, if Steven Jackson isn’t in the backfield.

The big concern for the Giants is on offense, where the pressure is building on Eli Manning. His Super Bowl ring gives Eli considerable defense against his critics but he threw 25 interceptions last year and started with another last week against Washington. That can’t last.

Eli is furthered hampered tonight by the possible absence of two wide receivers. Hakeem Nicks is listed as questionable, while Plaxico Burres definitely won’t play because he a New York Jet now.

In the receivers’ absence, boiling down the gameplan to limit mistakes and run the ball as often as they can with Bradshaw and Jacobs seems the Giants’ most likely plan, and it’s hard to know if the Rams can stay with them. If not, the Rams have one source of consolation: they’re in the NFC West. 0-2 can be a pretty good record in that division.