New York Giants Running Game and Playoff Prediction

For the New York Giants, it certainly hasn't been an easy ride to the playoffs.

For a while today, they were in a real dogfight with the Buffalo Bills, with weather, turnovers, and sloppy quarterback play affecting both teams. A gem emerged, however, in the Giants running game. Normal starter Brandon Jacobs had to sit out a few plays today, and Ahmad Bradshaw stepped up in a big way.

Now, I've never really been a New York Giants fan myself, but I like Brandon Jacobs immensely. He is a massive, between-the-tackles kind of runner that sets the pace really nicely for the New York Giants offense. Ahmad Bradshaw, on the other hand, brings a new dimension to the game.

Bradshaw has game breaking speed that can kill any opposing defense. In the Bills game, Bradshaw broke an 88 yard touchdown run after stumbling early on in the play. He ran away from the Bills secondary once he broke his run loose.

If the New York Giants want to seriously contend in this year's playoffs, a shared backfield of Jacobs and Bradshaw would suit them nicely. Though he has played as an every down back in the past, Jacobs would be even more effective and dangerous if used in a platoon situation with Bradshaw.

This running back situation reminds many of what the Pittsburgh Steelers backfield looked like not too long ago, with Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis. Coach Bill Cowher saw that Bettis couldn't handle the every down work as effectively as he continued to age, and he integrated the breakaway threat Parker into his gameplan. The result, a trip and Super Bowl win.

The Giants are in the same situation as the Steelers were a few years ago. Had Cowher continued to run Bettis, they would have probably made an early exit from the playoffs. New York head coach Tom Coughlin, who many believe to be on the hot seat, will have to find a way to utilize both Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw so they can maximize the production of their running game.

A mix of Jacobs and Bradshaw would be a tough threat to stop on the ground.

The Giants got a rough hit when Tiki Barber left last season, but the youngster Bradshaw has some major skills and speed. His upfield vision is improving, and he could potentially be one of the best running backs in the league in the near future. If Coughlin finds a way to use both of these running backs effectively, the Giants could be a real sleeper to make it far in the playoffs this season.