Giants Sunday showdown: Grated the cheese, off to San Francisco, hoping not to leave our hearts there

us. In addition to great defense, an unlikely Hail Mary, uncharacteristic Packer drops and turnovers, and of course Eli-te, my article in last week’s Jewish Star seems to have been one of the keys to the Giants’ stunning upset.

As all veteran Giants fans remember, going to San Francisco provided some playoff heartbreak during the Joe Montana era. However, it was also the scene of one of the epic plays in Giants history. The Roger Craig fumble that miraculously flew right into Lawrence Taylor’s hands in January 1991 lives on as the most underrated season saving play that led to our second Super Bowl title.

Although many of the pundits, who are able to objectively break down the upcoming game, feel that the Giants are the better team, it’s very important that our team not get caught up in that. I watched as the 49ers did us a huge favor by knocking Drew Brees and the Saints out of the playoffs. However, in the process it became clear that the 49ers have the fastest and hardest hitting defense I’ve seen all year. Vernon Davis, who starred for the Niners last week, had a big touchdown against us in our week 10 meeting. They beat us in spite of the fact that Frank Gore sat out almost the whole game. There is much to be concerned about.

On the positive side, a closer examination of the circumstances surrounding the teams’ first meeting may give us some additional hope. Going into the game, the Giants were playing without their top running back, Ahmad Bradshaw, and at the time, their top defensive player, Justin Tuck. To make matters worse, perhaps the biggest season changing event happened during this game. Michael Boley was injured during the first half.

It’s very rare when losing one player can have such a huge impact on the quality of an entire defense. However, when we look back to the string of disastrous defensive efforts that followed our trip to San Francisco, and combine that with the amazing defensive efforts we’ve seen over the last few weeks, we find a common thread. It seems Michael Boley is the glue that holds this defense together.

This week, a healthy Michael Boley, combined with our consistently overpowering pass rush, and our newly dominant secondary, puts us in a position to shut down the opposing offense for the third straight playoff game.

The prediction here is that Eli does not have to win this game for us. He needs to manage the game, limit the turnovers, and let the defense do their thing. GIANTS 20 49ERS 10.

GO BIG BLUE!!!

Being that I will be on the left coast on Sunday, if anyone has any tickets lying around, feel free to email me. My heart will spend the day in San Francisco, let’s hope I don’t leave it there.

In honor of the Giants Playoff Run, Seasons of Lawrence is offering an amazing game day special. Get a 9 x 13 pan of Shiv’s famous Buffalo Wings for only $19.99! Call Shiv (516)295-3300 to place your order.

Benjy Schreier lives in Woodmere with his wife, Penina, who is a co-founder of Gan Ami, a popular nursery program in Cedarhurst and children, Menashe, 21, Batya, 16, Dalia 15, and Hillel, 14 . The Schreier kids have kept up the Big Blue tradition making Benjy one of the most recognized Giant fans in the area. Locally, Benjy has managed Supersol, and now Seasons for close to thirty years. His video presentation, “The Giants 2007 Playoff Run..the plays that no one talks about” is a staple in every Giant fan’s video library. In addition, he was a semi finalist in the WFAN “Fantasy Phenom” contest this past year.

Send any Big Blue questions or comments to bbsupersol@aol.com.