My Steve Smith Blog

The New York Giants became one of 8 NFL teams to start the 2009 season with a 2-0 record after a big win against the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas on Sunday night.

This was a hyped up game in every sense of the word. Between the new stadium in Dallas, the Sunday Night Football status, and the fact that these teams have an enduring rivalry that seems to carry on with each season, this was a game that couldn't be missed.

The Giants were coming off of a week 1 victory against the Redskins at home. While the team was expected to win this game and did win, the team just squeaked by the Redskins with a 6 point (23-7) win.

In Week 2, the Giants gave it everything they had at Dallas. This was a game where one team would score, and the other would answer back with a touchdown or field goal of its own.

Perhaps the most impressive part about this game, aside from Eli Manning's 4th quarter poise, was his use of his wide receivers. The Giants found themselves in a difficult position coming into the season. After losing both Plaxico Burress (to his gun incident) and Amani Toomer (to retirement), the team saw a gaping hole at the wide receiver position.

Young talents like Steve Smith and Mario Manningham did a great job at filling in for the Giants. Manningham scored a big touchdown that gave the team the lead late in the game, and a Lawrence Tynes field goal won the game for the team at the end of regulation.

This was a great battle between the two teams, and their next one should be equally exciting.

Enjoy an awesome New York Giants forum, at RootZoo Sports, home to the best NFL pick 'em online.

The New York Football Giants look to win their second Super Bowl in 3 years in 09'. While the previous Super Bowl win was considered an upset but many - this years Giants will not sneak up on anyone. The Giants have a core of players who can lead them to a Super Bowl appearance again for sure. Eli Manning has experience and the quarterback patience like no other in the league.

The Giants are in the NFC which is up for the taking, while there are a few teams that have opportunities to reach the Super Bowl, no team is head and shoulders above the rest this season. There is much parody in the league and if a team has a bad week and one team plays hard, that team will receive a loss. The Giants must play their game, running the football and Eli Manning distributing the ball all over the field.

The Giants might not have the superstar they once had in WR Plaxico Burress - they do have quality receivers in Kevin Boss and Steve Smith. What would you rather have: One great receiver or three or four good receivers? Many would choose the latter.

Manning is completing well over 60% of his pass attempts and limiting his interceptions. If Manning can keep this up over the course of the season the Giants will be in many ball games. The Giants could either make it to the Super Bowl or be bounced out in the first round, they are very unique. After losing to the Dallas Cowboys in week 2, to a lesser team it would seem in the Dallas Cowboys, it is hard to get a read on how good the Giants can be. The Giants are well coached and should be a factor in the NFC all year.

Continue this conversation at the New York Giants forum at RootZoo, where plenty of fans await you. You'll also find some great NFL polls there too.

The Steelers came into this game looking very questionable as they have been injury prone. Also, their mistakes have added more doubt in the minds of a lot of people.

The Steelers surprised many people when they did a good job of playing defense and keeping the Giants out of the end zone. The Steelers appeared to be on the verge of winning the game.

Mike Tomlin said, "That was the first game I have been involved in that we didn't have a snapper."

Eli Manning completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Boss with around 3 minutes left in the game to give the Giants their only TD of the game. They had just tied the game a few minutes earlier via a safety.

James Harrison snapped the ball out of the end zone to give New York the two points from the safety. The Giants came from behind to beat Pittsburgh for a 21-14 victory Sunday in a game of two division leaders.

The Steelers had backups all over the field. They tried to make up for Ben Roethlisberger's four interceptions and five sacks by turning two big-play scores into a slim lead they kept when they had a goal-line stand halfway through the last quarter.

The Giants tied the game with just under seven minutes left. Linebacker Harrison was playing center and he snapped the ball over punter Mitch Berger's head.

"Nobody has two long snappers on their team; what you have are emergency snappers," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "James Harrison is regarded as the lead candidate. We got some snaps on the sideline and we felt comfortable. We just weren't able to get it done. That was the first game I have been involved in that we didn't have a snapper."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin knew Pittsburgh was without a snapper, saying, "That's why we brought the pressure. I don't know if it disturbed them, but the snap was high."

"I was nervous about snapping for the first time in a game," Harrison said. "But my feeling was that even if I shot it over his head, we still had a chance to stop them."

John Carney kicked four field goals for New York. He made field goals from 26, 35, 25 and 24 yards out. That shows how many times the Giants got in or near the red zone but couldn't get in the end zone.

"You want situations where they kind of have you in a corner and you have to come out swinging," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. "Obviously, we responded pretty well. Guys really understand what it takes to win in situations like this."

Manning finally took advantage of the worn-out Steelers defense by finding Steve Smith for 25 yards.

Brandon Jacobs had an 8-yard run. Plaxico Burress caught an 8 yard pass and then Derrick Ward ran the ball in for 7 yards.

"Things weren't going well at times and it's easy to get frustrated, but we didn't," Manning said. "We hung in there tough and found a way to win. Getting frustrated is not going to fix anything. Sometimes you've got to take the field goals and hope that the defense will keep playing tough."

The Steelers had a streak against NFC teams, having won nine in a row at home against them. Since the Giants won this game at the Steelers, it snapped their nine game home NFC win streak. Ben Roethlisberger had been 13-3 against the NFC.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school football coach of 25 years. His love of the game of football is reflected in his words and memories of growing up in the South and playing football in the back yard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends. His biggest thrill is watching former high school players he has coached play at the college level. His favorite pastime is watching professional football on TV and attending the games in person every chance he gets. Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the NFL and the New York Giants. Check out his New York Giants comforter or his San Diego Chargers Watch

With the Eagles having a bye week, I think it's a good time to take a look into how the other teams in the NFC East are doing so far this season.

New York Giants (3-0)
Next Opponent: Kansas City

I think the Giants are where most people thought they would be right now. They started off with two division games with the Redskins and the Cowboys and only won by a combined eight points. After that, they rolled in Week Three blanking the Bucs 24-0.

Eli Manning has been very good thus far throwing for five touchdowns and only one interception with a quarterback rating of 104.1. He is completing nearly 65% of his passes and has been trying to show the league that he is worth the big money the Giants threw at him this offseason.

The Giants no longer have a three headed monster on the ground, but Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshawn are showing that they're not missing Derrick Ward too much. Bradshaw has 201 rush yards and Jacobs has 196 yards on the ground through three games. These are pretty solid numbers that will continue to be put up behind a solid offensive line.

The big question with the Giants offense this off season was who Manning would throw to. Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have stepped up big time for the offense. Both have over 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the first three games.

Despite the shutout last week against a terrible Tampa Bay team, I think the biggest question mark for this team is the defense. There are some key injuries and they showed they are vulnerable to giving up points when they played Dallas.

Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Next Opponent: Denver

This team has not done anything yet this year to impress me (and I'm not just saying that because I hate them). They gave up 21 points to the Bucs, looked decent against the Giants (but couldn't hold on), and didn't play well at all against a Carolina team that the Eagles trounced Week One. Out of the teams in the NFC East, Dallas is the only one playing a legitimate team this week, traveling to play the 3-0 Broncos in Denver.

Tony Romo has been his same shaky self, showing signs of greatness at times but making the same stupid mistakes he has in the past. His quarterback rating is only 85.2 and his touchdown to interception ratio is 4:3.

The depth the team has at running back is what is keeping them alive. Marion Barber goes down and Felix Jones fills in great. Jones goes down and Tashard Choice fills in great. They just have a stockpile of talented running backs there which makes up for their shaky quarterback.

Roy Williams hasn't shown he's a solid replacement for Terrell Owens but at least you don't get the attitude. He only has eight catches in three games and has found the end zone only once.

Washington Redskins (1-2)
Next Opponent: Tampa Bay

To put it simply, this is not a good football team. Their only win came in an ugly 9-7 win against the Rams who are equally as bad. After this game, they go next week and lose to the Lions. Wow.

Jason Campbell threw for 340 yards against the Lions but could not lead his team to a win. In his other two games, he failed to throw for over 250 yards. He's thrown only three touchdowns in three games while throwing for two interceptions.

Clinton Portis has been held to 183 rushing yards in the first three games and has not found the end zone yet. Behind him, the next leading rusher is Campbell with 65 yards.

Their wide receiving core is still mediocre and they lack that true number one. Santana Moss leads the team with 15 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown.

Overall, the only team I have worries about the Eagles matching up with is the Giants. However, NFC East games are always battles and I don't think they should take any team lightly. The Eagles are the only team in the division not to play a division game yet, but come Week Seven they rattle off three in a row.

BirdsFan.com - A Philadelphia Eagles blog

The New York Giants started off the 09' season well. While they are one of the favorites to come out of the NFC, it won't be easy by any means. Eli Manning has stepped out of old brother Peyton Manning's shadow with his own Super Bowl ring. The NFC East is one of the most competitive divisions in football and winning it will be an accomplishment without a doubt. The Giants have all the necessary components for a winning football team, good defense, good running game and a Pro Bowl quarterback.

The New York Giants have many talented outlets to choose from - WR Steve Smith, TE Kevin Boss, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, RB Brandon Jacobs, and WR Mario Manningham. When the Giants went on their Super Bowl run of 07' not many expected them to do much once they were in the playoffs. This year could provide the Giants with the same opportunity - many favor the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the Giants at this time.

The most important wins will be winning against the division rivals - this is because the NFC East division could possible end in a tie. For example, both the Giants and Eagles finish 11-5 - the tie breaker goes to who won the head to head meetings. Every game is so critical in the NFC East division and the Giants can not fall behind early in the season.

Eli Manning has grown up over the last couple of seasons and has become a leader on the field like his old brother - maybe not to the same extent but he is well respectable now. Eli Manning seems to play better on the road then at home, which can be a blessing or a curse, not quite sure. The Giants have the potential, like a few other teams, to make it far into the playoffs if they gain some momentum.

The New York Giants forum at RootZoo is alive and well. Head on over for some free fantasy football, where you earn real cash for winning your league.

In 2007, the New York Giants became SuperBowl champs after beginning the season 0-2. The Giants finished the regular season with a 10-6 record and qualified for the playoffs as a wild card. The Giants punched their ticket to the Superbowl with playoff victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Green Bay Packers, all on the road.

In the SuperBowl, little brother Eli Manning led the Giants to one of the biggest upsets in SuperBowl history. Tearing himself away from the grasp of several Patriot defenders, Manning completed an unbelievable pass inside the Patriots 20. He then hit Plexico Burris for the winning touchdown in the corner of the end zone with less than a minute to play destroying New England's perfect season.

If the Giants are to repeat as Superbowl champs, they will need to have a better start. Four of the Giants first six games are at home. The difficult stretch of the season will come at the end, when the Giants go on the road for four of their last six games.

Thursday September 4 Washington Redskins @ New York Giants 7 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($192-$1,470)

The Giants begin the season against the division rival Redskins. The Redskins finished the 2007 regular season 9-7. The Redskins season ended with a 35-14 wild card playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Redskins did not have a first round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Ticket sale price range ($192-$1,470)

Sunday September 14 New York Giants @ St. Louis Rams 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($74-$441)

Game 2 should be a cheap win for the Giants. The Rams finished the 2007 regular season 3-13, which is the worst record since the team moved to St. Louis. The Rams selected defensive tackle Chris Long from Virginia Tech University (son of Hall of Famer Howie Long) with the 2nd pick in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday September 21 Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Giants 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($138-$735)

In week 3, the disorganized Bengals visit Giants Stadium. The Bengals finished the 2007 regular season 7-9, and missed the playoffs. The Bengals players have had lots of problems off the field and star receiver Chad Johnson has asked to be traded. The Bengals selected linebacker Keith Rivers from USC with the 9th pick in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday September 28 Bye Week

Sunday October 5 Seattle Seahawks @ New York Giants 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($138-$686)

In week 5, the Seattle Seahawks come to town. The Seahawks finished the 2007 regular season 9-7. The Seahawks defeated the Redskins 35-15 in the wild card round, and then lost 42-20 to the Packers on a snowy day in Green Bay. The Seahawks selected defensive end Lawrence Jackson from USC with the 28th pick in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Monday October 13 New York Giants @ Cleveland Browns 8:30 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($94-$613)

The Browns can no longer be discounted, as the Giants should have a Monday night showdown with the much improved Browns. The Browns finished the 2007 regular season 10-6, and missed the playoffs. The Browns did not have a first round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday October 19 San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($147-$637)

Week 7 should be another cheap win for the Giants. The 49ers finished the 2007 regular season 5-11, and missed the playoffs. The 49ers selected defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer from The University of North Carolina with the 29th pick in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday October 26 New York Giants @ Pittsburgh Steelers 4:15 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($127-$826)

Heinz Field is one of the most difficult places in the NFL to win. The Steelers finished the 2007 regular season 10-6. The Steelers season ended with a 31-29 wild card playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Steelers selected running back Rashard Mendenhall from The University of Illinois with the 23rd pick in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday November 2 Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants 4:15 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($216-$1,029)

The hottest ticket of the year will be for game 8 against the Cowboys. The Cowboys finished the 2007 regular season 13-3. The Cowboys season ended with a devastating 21-17 defeat at the hands of the New York Giants. The Cowboys selected running back Felix Jones from Arkansas with the 22nd pick and cornerback Mike Jenkins from South Florida University in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday November 9 New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles 8:15 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($166-$837)

The Giants buy a Sunday night game against the Eagles. The Eagles finished the 2007 regular season 8-8, and missed the playoffs. The Eagles did not have a first round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday November 16 Baltimore Ravens @ New York Giants 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($138-$735)

The Giants look to deal a blow to the only team to beat them in a Superbowl, the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens finished the 2007 regular season 5-11, and missed the playoffs. The Ravens selected quarter back Joe Flacco from The University of Delaware with the 18th pick in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday November 23 New York Giants @ Arizona Cardinals 4:15 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($58-$637)

The Giants return to University of Phoenix stadium for the first time since Superbowl XLII to face the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals finished the 2007 regular season 8-8, and missed the playoffs. The Ravens selected cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Tennessee State University with the 16th pick in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday November 30 New York Giants @ Washington Redskins 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($93-$980)

The Giants will try to punch their ticket to an NFC East title with a victory in Washington.

Sunday December 7 Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($147-$735)

Tickets prices are always high when the Eagles come into Giants Stadium.

Sunday December 14 New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys 8:15 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($122-$19,980)

There won't be any cheap tickets for the rematch of last year's playoffs.

Sunday December 21 Carolina Panthers @ New York Giants 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($113-$735)

The Carolina panthers and star receiver Steve Smith cannot be discounted. The Panthers finished the 2007 regular season 7-9, and missed the playoffs. The Panthers selected running back Jonathan Stewart from The University of Oregon with the 13th pick and offensive tackle Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sunday December 28 New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings 1 p.m. ET Ticket sale price range ($35-$324)

The Giants finish the regular season against the Vikings who are hoping the price they paid for receiver Bernard Berian was worth it. The Vikings finished the 2007 regular season 8-8, and missed the playoffs. Vikings did not have a first round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Since the Giants are from New York, fans pay a high price to buy tickets in normal seasons. With their team coming off an exciting Superbowl winning performance, Giants fans can expect New York Giants tickets to be expensive this season. Ticket price ranges above are as of the time this article was written.

Justin Diamond is Director of Marketing at Swickets.com. He writes about New York Giants Tickets, Superbowl Tickets and many other topics.