Predictions Summary Projections by Position Projection Team Boxes

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Prediction: NYG 27, TEN 24 (Line: NYG by 1)

UPDATE: Zach Mettenberger is back at practice despite his shoulder sprain and is expected to start. But Kendall Wright’s cracked bone in his hand will keep him out at least this week. Rashad Jennings may still play despite only getting in one limited practice this week. He won’t be 100% if he can play and he is not yet a lock to be able to plau.

The 3-9 Giants are on a seven game losing streak and are only 1-5 on the road. The 2-10 Titans are on a six game losing streak and are just 1-4 at home. This is a game only fantasy football could love and one team finally reaches the “W” column. And one team has yet another awkward time at the post game interview. Giants are scoring better and losing much closer games than the Titans.

Losing to the Jaguars by a single point is pretty much what the Giants entire season has been like. No word has been given that Tom Coughlin is going to lose his job but as the oldest and longest tenured NFL coach it seems a foregone conclusion on the heels of yet another lost season. A home stand against the Redskins in week 15 offers a good chance for a win and taking advantage of this week could mean a ever so brief win streak at the end of the year until facing the Rams and Eagles.

QUARTERBACK : Eli Manning apparently is a below average quarterback unless he faces the Cowboys. He threw three touchdowns in both meetings with them and yet only managed five scores in the five other most recent games. The yardage has been very healthy though thanks to Odell Beckham and from playing from behind so often. Manning has also spun through several very tough defenses in recent weeks to depress his stats.

RUNNING BACK : Rashad Jennings injured his ankle last week and missed the last two series against the Jaguars but already had 91 yards and two touchdowns. Jennings has said he will play this week and I will assume so and update as needed. Andre Williams would take the start otherwise and this week should be a very good time to be the starting tailback.

WIDE RECEIVER : Rueben Randle was benched last week for being late to a meeting but he’s been a non factor in most games with only two scores and rarely more than 50 yards in any week. Odell Beckham continues to show up every week with big yardage if not scores. He’s turned in at least 90 yards in each of the last five games while scoring twice over that time. Preston Parker caught a touchdown in the loss to the Jaguars but is only reliable for one or two short catches each week.

TIGHT END : Larry Donnell does factor in every week and he’s topped 50 yards in three of the last six games while scoring twice but both were in home games. For a big tight end, he has one glaring problem – fumbles. He’s lost four on the season and last week it was returned for a Jaguars touchdown in a game they lost by one point.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The Titans have allowed a passing score to almost every opponent but most end up with just the one because the Titans are so weak against the run where they have allowed 16 running back touchdowns. But this is also the same defense that just gave up six scores to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Jennings (or Williams depending) is a must start as is Odell Beckham. Manning has some upside here as well.

The Titans crumbled in their last three road games but were at least competitive against the Steelers in week 11. This franchise needs a win but now face injuries to the offense that set back any real progress that might have been made. In the end, the defense is the Achilles heel in allowing a league high 338 points this year.

QUARTERBACK : Zach Mettenberger has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder but says he expects to play this week. That seems aggressive and Jake Locker is more likely to end up as the starter. I’ll assume Locker and make adjustments as needed. Mettenberger is improving but there is not much difference between he and Locker at this point.

RUNNING BACK : No changes here to the rookie that is limited to 12 carries or less despite being the primary back. Bishop Sankey has only two scores on the year and averages only 40 rush yards per game. Shonn Greene hawked a touchdown in Philadelphia but otherwise is a complete nonfactor.

WIDE RECEIVER : Justin Hunter’s disappointing season is over since a lacerated spleen landed him on injured reserve. Now Kendall Wright and Nate Washington will command more attention and at a good time with several weak secondaries coming up. Wright already comes off a season best seven catches for 132 yards and one score in the loss in Houston and Washington accounted for 61 yard and a score on five receptions there. For a team with a very limited running game and few decent targets, Wright and Washington could end the year on a higher note.

TIGHT END : As a perfect example of the inconsistency for Delanie Walker, he was limited to 37 yards three catches in Baltimore, then gained 155 yards on five receptions in Philly and then back to only one catch for six yards in Houston. He’s scored just once in the last seven games.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: All hope is long lost for the rushing effort here but at least the Giants have always allowed opposing quarterbacks to score at least once and usually twice along with good yardage. There is a weakness against tight ends but they have been decent versus wide receivers other than against the true studs of the position. Despite the seemingly great matchup, none of the Titans are more than a moderate play and always carry risk. The lack of rushing will help generate more passing and there will be some success there.

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