1. Rush The QB -AND- 2. Defend The Pass

(These two go hand in hand)

Watching the games last weekend, I noticed that many commentators, after a receiver makes a nice play, will mention how many “weapons” that team has, even though the receiver who made the play is actually average at best.

For example, when 4th string WR Jason Avant caught a ball against the Giants’ banged up secondary, Gus Johnston mentioned that McNabb has “so many weapons” to throw to. No offense to Jason, but if you show up to a gunfight and your weapon of choice is Jason Avant, you’re leaving in a body bag. Not to say that the Eagles don’t have a couple of very good receivers, but it just shows that these commentators will sing the praises of whatever player made the last play, regardless of how good they actually are.

With that said, the Chargers really do have weapons. Antonio Gates has been one of the top tight end threats for more than half a decade. Vincent Jackson has developed into one of, if not the biggest deep threat in the NFL. LaDainian Tomlinson, although not what he used to be, is one of the best receivers out of the backfield. Darren Sproles is probably the speediest player in the league. Malcom Floyd is another dangerous deep threat.

Former Giants draft pick Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense can beat teams through the air in so many ways, and they are fourth in the league with 276.3 passing yards per game. Unfortunately for the Giants, their biggest weakness has been stopping the pass. This is a matchup that has to have Rivers licking his chops. Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan has to figure out a way to mask the team’s shortcomings in the secondary.

The probable return of Michael Boley will help in defending the beast that is Antonio Gates, but Boley alone may not be enough. The safeties are going to have to do a much better job in coverage, or Gates could have a field day.

The secondary gave up big scoring plays to DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin last week, and it doesn’t get any easier with deep threats Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd.

As it has been the past few weeks, the best chance the Giants have of shutting down all of these weapons is by putting a consistent pass rush on Philip Rivers. For whatever reason, they have not been able to generate a rush so far this season, and that is unacceptable for the amount of talent this team has on the defensive line. If the secondary is going to have a fighting chance against the Chargers’ passing offense, the defensive line has to get to Philip Rivers.

3. Don’t Get Caught Off Guard By Sproles

Everyone knows about LaDainian Tomlinson, who was arguably the offensive player of the decade. Tomlinson started the season off slowly, but he is getting stronger and is probably about ready to return to his old form, just in time for the Giants.

But in preparing for Tomlinson, the Giants must remember not to forget about backup running back Darren Sproles, who is one of the top big-play threats in the league. The 5-6 lightning bug broke out nationally during last year’s playoff win over the Colts in which he rushed 23 times for 105 yards, caught five passes for 45 yards, added 178 return yards, and scored two touchdowns including the 22-yard game winner in overtime.

Needless to say, Sproles can beat a team in every way possible short of passing touchdowns (although I wouldn’t put it past the little trickster). The Chargers are second worst in the league, averaging only 74.7 rushing yards per game. But all it takes is one play and Sproles can change a game. The Giants’ defense needs to take note of Sproles every time he is on the field.

4. Pound The Ball

This one seems obvious.

Eli Manning is struggling. Brandon Jacobs seems to have most of his mojo back, and is itching to reach 100 yards for the first time in almost a year.

Add to that the fact that the Chargers are allowing 132.1 yards per game on the ground, and it is pretty easy to see why the Giants should employ a run-first attack.

5. Return Eli To Early Season Form

Oh, how I miss the days earlier in the season, when young Eli Manning would throw for 280 yards and three touchdowns? What has happened to those days? That is for Eli and the coaching staff to figure out, because it sure seems like opposing defenses have figured Eli out.

Over the past three games, Eli has just three touchdowns to six interceptions. Before that, he had ten touchdowns and two interceptions. What could cause such a stark contrast. Eli and Coach Coughlin swear that his foot is not bothering him, and there is no way for us fans to know if they are telling the truth.

Some of it may have to do with the tougher defenses they have faced. But tough defenses doesn’t fully explain the amount of times Eli has missed open receivers, thrown fluttering passes and made poor decisions.

Whatever the reason, Eli better get his act together if he wants to beat the team that drafted him.