The 2009 New York Giants defense is an embarrassment and its time to clean house, especially after their showing against the Eagles this week in the NFL.

The New York Giants have always prided themselves with playing great defense. From the early days at Giants stadium (1976 - 2009), defense has always been the name of the game. In a game where the offense always gets the glory, it were NY Giant Hall-of-Famers Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson that helped define “D-Fence” in NFL Football.

Over the last 25 years the Giants have had 5 coaches: Bill Parcells (1984-1990), Ray Handley (1991-1992), Dan Reeves (1993-1996), Jim Fassel (1997-2003) and Tom Couglin (2004 - present). In all these years except the current 2009 season, Defense defined the Giants. But no longer.

So what is the problem with the Giants defense?

Sure, you could use the excuse that injuries have plaqued the Giants defense but the other NFL teams and past Giant defenses have had to deal with the same issues. Some might argue that the Giant offense isn’t controlling time of position and therefore not giving the defense sufficient rest - THAT’s BULL!

The problem with the NY Giants defensive problems starts with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan (in his first year) and ends with the lack of talent and depth on the defensive line and especially it’s secondary. To see opposing QB’s sit in the pocket for ever and seeing opposing receivers wide open in the secondary - it’s hard to watch - and even harder to swallow!

If you are questioning whether the Giants Defense are the cause of their problems consider this statistic in last night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles @ Giants stadium (12/13/2009):

The Giants lost 45-38 despite outgaining the Eagles 512-374 and holding the advantage in time of possession by nearly 10 minutes.

For the record, the New York Giants have given up over 40 points in three games in 2009 - just absurd for an NFL team that prides itself on defense.

So if Tom Couglin and the Giants really want to compete in 2010, they will need to have the defensive reserves audition in the final three weeks of the NFL season. Then its time to look for a new defensive coordinator and defensive talent in the off-season - the Giant Fans will demand it!

THE MATCHUP
Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) at Washington Redskins (2-4)
Monday, October 26, 2009 @ 8:30 PM ET
Fed Ex Field, Landover, MD

THE LINE
Eagles are the favorite, giving 7 1/2. The Under/Over is 37 1/2

THE RECORD
The Eagles are 3-2 Overall, 2-1 at Home and 1-1 Away.
They are 2-1 in the NFC and 0-0 in the NFC East
The Eagles have scored 136 points and given up 99.

The Redskins are 2-4 Overall, 2-1 at Home and 0-3 on the Road.
They are 2-3 in the NFC and 0-1 in the NFC East.
The Chargers have scored 79 points and given up 96.

2009 TRENDS AGAINST THE SPREAD (ATS)
The Eagles are 3-2 ATS.
The Eagles are 1-1 ATS away.
The Eagles are 1-0 ATS as the underdog.
The Eagles are 1-0 ATS as an away underdog.
The Redskins are 1-4 ATS.
The Redskins are 0-3 ATS at home.
The Redskins are 1-0 ATS as the underdog.
The Redskins have not been a home underdog.
PREGAME ANALYSIS
The key to this game is the Philadelphia passing offense. If they bounce back from their poor performance last week against the Raiders, and gain over 250 yards in the air with no interceptions the Eagles are 80% favorites. Statistically speaking, if the Redskins can hold the Eagles to under 220 yards passing, they have a chance of a big upset.

GAME PREDICTION
Philadelphia Eagles 24 Washington Redskins 10

The Giants loss to Arizona should have the Eagles ready to play. An Eagles win puts them a 1/2 game out in the NFC East.
The handing off of play calling duties from coach Jim Zorn to newcomer Sherm Lewis will not be enough for the Redskins to pull out a miracle.