A lot goes wrong in a 34-point shutout, but a major emphasis this week has been missed tackles.
The Giants, by Chris Canty's count, had 18 of them against Atlanta alone. It's a problem they will try to fix when taking on the Ravens, especially in regards to running back Ray Rice, who has a knack for refusing to go down.
Jason Pierre-Paul will be there on the first line of defense.
"I've seen him play since I got here, but I've never played against him," the defensive end said. "It's going to be a good opportunity for me to go out there and wrap-tackle; try to play the run. That's one of the key things too, we have to stop the run too, and rush the passer. Like I say everyday during the season, if we can't stop the run, then we can never get a chance to get the passer."
While recording just 38 yards on 12 carries in the Raven's 34-17 loss to Denver last week, Rice eclipsed 1,000 yards for the fourth-straight season (of his five-year career). But what makes him such a problem for opposing defenses is his ability to catch the ball. Rice has an additional 427 yards off 55 catches, more than any 1,000-yard rusher this season.
Dumping it off to Rice makes for a dangerous combination with quarterback Joe Flacco's ability to throw the deep ball.
"You've got to play ball," safety Antrel Rolle said. "You've got to study your opponent, understand his strengths and weaknesses, understand how he likes to run the ball and just go out there and get it done. Get it done at all costs."
At all costs means gang tackling Rice, who was asked about the Giants' miscues on a conference call today with Giants beat reporters.
"I'm sure what they're saying right now is that we can't let that happen again next week," Rice said. "I'm sure they're going to come in here with that being the first thing that they corrected. We were embarrassed and they were embarrassed. The thing for embarrassment is how you bounce back. You want to go out there and put on a great show for the next game. Obviously, they have a lot at stake, we have a lot at stake. We're trying to clinch the AFC North, and I think they're in a three-way tie (for the NFC East). There's going to be playoff atmosphere football on Sunday."
