The team has been super the last four weeks. Beating Tampa Bay, Dallas and
Green Bay on the road have been remarkable accomplishments. Eli Manning has
quieted his critics and he seems to be gaining confidence and maturing with every snap
he takes from center. Plaxico Burress did an incredible job of catching the ball in the
frigid conditions at Green Bay, Wisconsin. Kevin Boss is proving to have great hands.
Amani Toomer, has dropped a few balls, but he has also come up with some wonderful
catches at the right time. The defense has shown great determination and fortitude
when the pressure has been on.

Tom Coughlin, who had some problems with the team and the media in the past, now
is leading a cohesive unit with a terrific sense of camaraderie.

The Giants have come up big in the latter part of the season and it they have
done this without Tikki Barber and without four or five key players who are out
with injuries.

What is even more impressive is the fact that the team has a cadre of rookies and
young players who are doing an outstanding job. This nucleus of young players could
help to keep the Giants competitive for years to come. Wouldn’t that be nice?

In my view, the secret to winning the game against the undefeated New England
Patriots rests on the shoulders of the diminutive running back, Ahmad Bradshaw.

If Ahmad Bradshaw can get twenty touches of the ball, I think the Giants can
succeed in beating The New England Patriots. Here’s why…….

Although young, he is very much like Tikki Barber. He is quick, tenacious, elusive and
explosive. His style of running compliments Brandon Jacobs’ straight ahead upright
approach to carrying the ball. He gets to the hole faster than Jacobs which takes a
little pressure off the offensive line. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, which
will create more openings for the Giants’ receivers.

I would like to see Bradshaw and Jacobs in the backfield together on some plays.
This would keep the defense off balance a bit more and cause them to have to guess
who is likely to get the ball.

The Giants have been underdogs for much of the season. If they beat the
Patriots, it will be a David conquers Goliath kind of story. Ahmad Bradshaw is
small in stature, but he seems to have a huge heart and great desire. There is no
better person to slay the big, bad enemy from New England than number 44.

Jay P. Granat, Ph.D., is a Psychotherapist in River Edge, NJ and the Founder of
www.StayInTheZone.com. He counsels athletes and writes frequently on sports.