The Tantalizing Ten: Giants Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts travel to New York to take on the Giants this weekend?
When asked earlier this week if he would be feeling something extra against his former team on Monday, Bradshaw didn't hesitate in saying, "of course." No player in MetLife Stadium history has more touchdowns than Bradshaw (18). He continues to be a touchdown machine for the Colts and should go back to his normal snap count total with a healthy Trent Richardson returning.
Luck moves into the second half of the season on pace to set franchise marks, and even challenge some NFL records. In trying to throw for a franchise-best seventh straight 300-yard game, Luck will see a Giants defense that ranks second in the NFL with 11 interceptions. This will mark the third Monday night game of Luck's career and the third-year quarterback will be looking for his first win on that stage.
Nicks heads back to his old stomping grounds on Monday night, where he was a key contributor in a handful of seasons with the Giants. In the preseason matchup against the Giants, Nicks looked like a man possessed with Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton out of the lineup. With the uncertainty around Wayne's status carrying into the weekend, Nicks has the chance to see plenty of reps come Monday night.
Even with so many new, young faces at the skill positions, Manning is putting together one of his better seasons. He's thrown just one interception in the Giants last five games, a far cry from the frequency of turnovers committed in 2013. Will Manning and the Giants open up the playbook a bit coming out of the bye week?
Fantasy owners around are clamoring to know if Moncrief's performance on Sunday against the Steelers (seven catches for 113 yards) is a sign of things to come. Chuck Pagano said earlier this week that Moncrief has earned more playing time. Just like trying to project Nicks' numbers, the health of Wayne will greatly determine just how much we see of Moncrief against the Giants.
Toler should be getting his fellow starting corner back on Sunday in Vontae Davis. The Giants pass offense hasn't put up eye-popping numbers in 2014 but talks around their headquarters has Eli Manning wanting to take a few more shots deep. That means Toler will have to be prepared for some chunk play looks, which differs from what the Giants offense has shown for nearly the entire season.
Starting outside linebacker Erik Walden remains sidelined with a hip injury and Chuck Pagano has labeled him as "week-to-week." If Walden can't go, Studebaker would be one of the next men up off the edge. Studebaker is known more for his play on special teams but he could be asked to play a major role for a Colts pass rush looking to regain it's form seen during the team's five-game winning streak.
With starting running back Rashad Jennings ruled out for Monday night, it will be the rookie Williams getting the nod. Williams, the nation's leading rusher at Boston College last year, is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry after the Giants chose him in the fourth round of May's draft.
Fans should be very familiar with the names the Giants defense has is in its front seven. Castonzo will be responsible for some impressive edge rushers on Monday night. The Colts left tackle has once again been a stable linchpin for Andrew Luck's blindside.
Rolle is one of the few holdovers on the Giants defense over the past handful of seasons. The All-Pro safety continues to be the lead guy in the Giants opportune secondary. Ball security is constantly preached inside the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center and Rolle is one of the NFL's best safeties at making quarterbacks think twice.
