New York’s offense possesses a threat in both the passing and running games, thanks to Manning and the dual backfield threat of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Eli Manning (1785 passing yards, 14 TD, 11 INT) threw for 306 yards versus the Cowboys, his second 300-yard passing game of the season, and has put up at least two touchdown passes in five of seven games this season. New York is averaging 388.7 yards per game (3rd overall), with 145.4 of those coming on the ground. Bradshaw (708 rushing yards, 3 TD) paced the Giants’ fourth-ranked ground attack with 126 yards versus Dallas and is second in the NFC in rushing yards. He is just 71 yards shy of surpassing his career high of 778, set last season. Jacobs (282 rushing yards, 5 TD), meanwhile, had a rushing touchdown against Dallas to give him five in the last four games. Wide receivers Hakeem Nicks (45 receptions, 8 TD) and Steve Smith both made nine catches last time out, with Nicks grabbing two of Manning’s four touchdown throws. He is tied for the NFC lead in touchdown receptions, while Smith (43 receptions, 2 TD) and Mario Manningham (21 receptions, 3 TD) also hauled in scores in the win. One negative from the Dallas game was that center Shaun O’Hara suffered a sprained right foot and could miss this game. Adam Koets would start in his place.
Seattle’s 26th-ranked defense (368.3 ypg) figures to have its hands full this weekend, though the unit is allowing just 100.6 yards per game on the ground. However, the losses of Bryant (18 tackles, 1 sack), Cole (29 tackles, 1 sack) and possibly Mebane could open up room on the line for the Giants. Kentwan Balmer will take over the right end spot for Bryant, while Craig Terrill will step in for Cole. Also, if Mebane misses a fourth straight game, Junior Siavii will get the start with Balmer shifting to the end. Jennings (17 tackles) has missed two straight games and fellow corner Walter Thurmond (18 tackles) sat out last week with a head injury, but both returned to practice on Wednesday. Seattle failed to force a turnover last weekend and was led on defense by corner Marcus Trufant (35 tackles, 1 INT) and safety Lawyer Milloy (40 tackles, 3 sacks), who had six tackles each. Rookie free safety Earl Thomas (35 tackles, 4 INT) added five tackles and leads all NFL rookies in interceptions. He needs one more to match the single-season club rookie record set by Michael Boulware in 2004. Defensive end Chris Clemons (25 tackles, 6 sacks) has at least a half-sack in four of his last five games.