NFL 2009 | Eli Manning & His 5-0 Giants
Eli Manning & His 5-0 Giants

"This is certainly the game of the week," says NFL Network analyst STEVE MARIUCCI of this Sunday's showdown between the 5-0 New York Giants and 4-0 New Orleans Saints.

"It's a battle of undefeated teams and it could be a preview of what's to come in the playoffs. These two clubs will probably meet at some point in the postseason."

The Giants, who are 5-0 for the third time in team history, are coming off an impressive 44-7 win against Oakland. New York is 3-0 on the road and boasts the league's top-ranked defense (210.6) and second-ranked offense (417.4).

"The Giants, to me, are the most complete team in the NFL," says Mariucci. "They rank first in defense and second in offense. That's unheard of. This team has so much depth. I'm really impressed with how this team has been put together. They do a great job of adding players and improving their depth."

The Saints, who had a bye in Week 5, have combined a high-scoring offense -- a league-high 36 points per game -- with an aggressive defense -- an NFL-best 13 takeaways -- to give the club its third 4-0 start in franchise history.

"The offense has been really good for a while," says Mariucci, "but the difference this year is that the Saints are playing good defense. New Orleans can move the ball on offense against anybody. But (defensive coordinator) GREGG WILLIAMS and his defense is the area of most improvement."

"I'm excited about this game," says Giants quarterback ELI MANNING, who will play in his hometown of New Orleans for the first time. "It's always fun to go home and play a game, especially since I was a Saints fan growing up. I'm excited about the opportunity to play in the Superdome and I expect a good game from the Saints. They are playing extremely well this year. It's going to be a great atmosphere down there. These are the games that are fun to play."

Manning, who is second in the league with a 111.7 passer rating, will lead the NFL's No. 2 ranked offense, which features a strong running game and a group of talented young receivers.

"The Giants have a very well-balanced offense," says Mariucci. "They have a two-headed monster at running back. BRANDON JACOBS is a house. He's a powerful runner. And AHMAD BRADSHAW, who scored two touchdowns (11 carries, 110 yards) last week, is a change of pace back who is great out of the backfield catching the ball.

"Their receivers have been lighting it up. There's good depth there. Eli can throw the ball to so many options and the young guys like STEVE SMITH, MARIO MANNINGHAM and rookie HAKEEM NICKS have stepped up."

The New Orleans defense, which allowed 339.5 yards per game and ranked No. 23 last year, is currently sixth in the NFL at 295.3 yards per game. The Saints have forced 13 turnovers, including an NFL-best 10 interceptions. Safety DARREN SHARPER leads the NFL with five interceptions, including two touchdowns (97 and 99 yards). He is the first player in NFL history to record two 95+ yard interception-return touchdowns in season.

"Darren's a good player, who obviously prepares and makes plays," says Manning about Sharper, who has intercepted him four times in his career. "It seems like I'm keeping him in the Pro Bowl every year. When the ball is thrown to him, he makes the catches and he makes good plays. You have to know where he is on the field."

The Saints have used a balanced offense to rack up 144 points in four games

NFL 2009 | Saints Quarterback DREW BREES
Drew Brees ranks third in the NFL with a 108.4 passer rating

Quarterback DREW BREES, who ranks third in the NFL with a 108.4 passer rating, leads the aerial attack, which has four different players with at least 14 catches -- TE JEREMY SHOCKEY (18), WRs MARQUES COLSTON (17) and DEVERY HENDERSON (14) and RB REGGIE BUSH (14).

The rushing game, which is second in the league averaging 166.3 yards per game, features three running backs with at least 30 carries -- MIKE BELL (45 att., 229 yards), PIERRE THOMAS (33, 212) and Bush (36, 148).

"Everybody loves Drew Brees," says Mariucci.

"He's having another great year. He's had so much success since coming to New Orleans in 2006. And the offense has been really good, just like it has been over the years. Brees threw for over 5,000 yards last year and this team can throw the ball against anybody."

Defensively, the top-ranked Giants will look to shut down the potent New Orleans offense.

"The Giants lead the league in defense and pass defense," says Mariucci. "They play good, fast defense. It all starts up front with that pass rush. (Defensive line coach) MIKE WAUFLE has those guys playing hard. Guys like JUSTIN TUCK and OSI UMENYIORA can make life tough on any quarterback. That pass rush really applies pressure and helps out the secondary."

So, with two well-balanced teams on offense and defense, the stage is set for an exciting showdown between two unbeatens on Sunday afternoon.

"The more you prepare for games like this, the more comfortable you become in this type of situation," says Brees. "When you have a team that knows the formula and becomes comfortable preparing for these types of big games, that just helps you down the road in the long run. The games only get bigger, especially as you near the playoffs and beyond."

 

  New York Giants New Orleans Saints
Source: National Football League
 Stat (NFL Rank)Stat (NFL Rank)
Points Per Game30.2 (4th)36.0 (1st)
Scoring Differential+80 (1st)+78 (2nd)
Total Offense417.4 (2nd)414.3 (3rd)
Total Defense210.6 (1st)295.3 (6th)
Takeaways11 (T4th)13 (1st)

 

NFL 2009 Week 6 Schedule

(All times local)

Houston at Cincinnati, 1:00 PM
N.Y. Giants at New Orleans, 12:00 PM
Detroit at Green Bay, 12:00 PM
Baltimore at Minnesota, 12:00 PM
Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1:00 PM
Carolina at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM
Kansas City at Washington, 1:00 PM
St. Louis at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Tennessee at New England, 4:15 PM
Arizona at Seattle, 1:05 PM
Philadelphia at Oakland, 1:05 PM
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 4:15 PM
Chicago at Atlanta, 8:20 PM (NBC)
Denver at San Diego, 5:30 PM (ESPN) - MNF

Bye Week: Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami, and San Francisco

 

NFL 2009 Week 5 Results

(Home Team in CAPS)
Cincinnati 17, BALTIMORE 14
Atlanta 45, SAN FRANCISCO 10
Cleveland 6, BUFFALO 3
ARIZONA 28, Houston 21
CAROLINA 20, Washington 17
DENVER 20, New England 17 (OT)
Pittsburgh 28, DETROIT 20
SEATTLE 41, Jacksonville 0
Dallas 26, KANSAS CITY 20 (OT)
Indianapolis 31, TENNESSEE 9
N.Y. GIANTS 44, Oakland 7
PHILADELPHIA 33, Tampa Bay 14
Minnesota 38, ST. LOUIS 10
MIAMI 31, N.Y. Jets 27

 

NFL 2009 Week 6: Giants (5-0) Visit Saints (4-0) in Battle of Unbeatens