Giants Steelers Review/Giant Vs. Bengals Preview

Super storm Sandy and other events have taken the column out for
the past 2 weeks.  We will back in full force next week.  One quick
comment about last game and a quick preview of today’s game against the
  Bengals.  Much has been written about the Giants loss to the
  Steelers.  It was a bad loss and Manning has been in a tough slump. 
  There is much blame to go around for last week’s loss on both sides of the
  football.  One guy who has not been blamed, but was largely at fault is
  Tom Coughlin.  Given his 2 superbowls in 5 years he is considered above
  criticism, in some circles.  It is generally fair but he made one
  egregious error right before the end of the first half that was under
  noticed.  On a third and long with about a minute left in the half from
  the 33 yard line he called a pass play.  It went incomplete, stopping
  the clock.  The Giants attempted and missed a 50 yard field goal,
Pittsburg got the ball back, and drove down the field for a field goal of their
own.  Of course they only need about 40 yards to get into field goal
range.  Coughlin needs to analyze expected value formulas better.
 Firstly, statistically a third and long has a low probability of success
and even if successful the odds of scoring a touchdown were still not super
high.  However, with the Steelers in a prevent defense a 4 yards run on
third and long was easily achievable.  Had he called that play, there was
still a chance of a run turning into a first down (a small chance but a chance)
and more importantly it would take a 50 yard field goal into a likely 46 yarder
or less which probably takes the attempt from a 50/50 proposition to an 85%
likelihood for Tynes. As importantly, the clock would have run down so that in
the case of a make or miss, it would have left very little time for the Steelers
to drive for their own field goal.  That underappreciated decision to pass
the ball resulted in a 6 point swing, one more than the margin of
victory.
 Giants Bengals preview:
The Giants have been playing poor football for a while now. 
They benefited from sloppy play by Dallas early and a fortunate pass to Cruz
late against Washington but both of these games could have gone either
way.  The last 2 matchups in particular were against very solid passing
defenses.  Manning is clearly in a slump but is too good of a quarterback
to stay in one for long.  The Giants are a relatively healthy team with
enough pride to go in and beat a mediocre Bengal team in Cincy.  Expect
Manning to break out of his slump in a big way and for the Giants to make
enough adjustments on defense to hold the Bengals in check.  They will get
their points but not enough to keep up with the Giants.  The Giants will
have success passing going against a poor pass defense and the Giants use the
pass to set up the run.  This will allow the running game to get going as
well.  We are hoping to see David Wilson get some carries.  Watching
the Bucs Martin (chosen one pick ahead of Wilson) explode for a huge day last
week hurts.  The Giants will win this game 31-24 with Manning throwing for
over 300 yards.