Well to be clear, I'm not expecting a blowout. Just saying there is real potential for it. It's not a slight on New York- I think they are a great team. I just think we match up very well on them. The Giants were blown out a month ago by the Bengals, who like the Seahawks are a physical team that can disrupt even a good passing game.
I think the one big edge the Giants have in their favor is a vastly improved rush offense, which ironically has had almost nothing to do with the guy they picked in the first round. That said, Seattle had little trouble containing Bradshaw last year- he's pretty much exactly the kind of RB our D-line likes to face. Basically the huge boost in their run offense comes from Andre Brown, who just hit the IR. David Wilson is a stiff runner (albeit a very fast one) who had struggled this season before having a terrific game last week. But that was against the Saints, so I'm not yet worried about him. I'd be pretty surprised if the Giants ran the ball on us, especially in Seattle where the run defense is always a little extra amped up.
And if they can't run, that will make them a 1 dimensional team. Cruz is great, but he's the only WR having a good season for them this year. Hakeem Nicks has averaged just 52 yards a game since his crazy week 2 performance. Cruz is also on pace for just over 1100 yards after having 1500 last season.
I do think our pass defense will fare much better than the last go around. Sherman is probably a better player than he was in that Giants game, and he would see a lot more field time than he did in that game as a nickle CB. Browner is definitely better. Our pass rush is better- especially if the game is in Seattle. Cruz had a lot of lucky yards that game on extremely unusual receptions. I know that's kind of his thing, but even by his standards that game was an outlier. Experience will play a factor as well. Browner/Thurmond/Sherman had less than a season of NFL starting experience combined going into that game, and defensive units tend to adjust or improve when facing an opponent a second time after getting burned in the first match.
Our linebackers are better. Our special teams are better. Our QB is better despite the fact that T-jack played well. Our offensive line and WR play is better than it was in that game as well.
And I know this probably puts me in homer territory, but I truly believe that the next time that Sherman, Browner, and Thurmond all step on the field it will be the best CB trio the NFL has seen in years, if ever. I think Sherman has a great case as the best corner in the game, Browner is an easy choice for the pro-bowl this year and I truly feel that Thurmond has an even better all around game than Browner. If we are at home and we have those three on the field, there is no passing offense worth being afraid of. Assuming Pete isn't being silly with his base rush / zone coverage habits.
