Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The New York Giants (6-4) come into Week 12 needing a win over the New Orleans Saints (7-3).

A win for either the Saints or the Giants will help their respective team stay in control of their division. A win for either team will help in chasing down the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 2 spot in the NFC. This game is not only a potential preview for the playoffs, but also crucial in determining a bye in the playoffs.

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

When: Monday, Nov. 28 at 8:30 PM ET

Watch: ESPN

Betting Line: According to SBGlobal, The Saints are a seven-point favorite. You should take the Giants here in an upset to cover. The Giants may be without one of their best pass rushers in Osi Umenyiora, but their secondary will still be able to do enough to shut down the Saints passing attack.

Betting Over/Under: According to SBGlobal, the over/under is 50.5. Take the over as both the Giants and Saints have a passing attack that can and will put up a lot of points in this game.

Who Might Not Play For New York

Nick Laham/Getty Images

WR Mario Manningham is questionable with a knee injury that kept him out of practice on Friday.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw sat out of practice on Friday with a foot injury. His status for Monday night’s game is questionable.

DE Osi Umenyiora was carted off of the field during Thursday’s practice. His status for Monday’s game is questionable.

Who Might Not Play for New Orleans

LB Jonathan Vilma was limited in practice on Thursday and his status for Monday’s game is questionable.

TE David Thomas was placed on the team’s injured reserve this week with an undisclosed injury.

Fantasy Big Players

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

New Orleans, QB Drew Brees: Brees is a fantasy starter every single week. The potential for the Giants playing without Umenyiora and DE Justin Tuck makes this matchup even better for Brees.

New York, QB Eli Manning: Manning has had a good year for his fantasy football owners. This week people who play Manning can feel comfortable starting the quarterback, as the Saints are giving up 240 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks.

New York, WR Victor Cruz: Cruz has taken over as the Giants top receiver, as he leads this club in receptions, yards and touchdowns. With Manningham injured and Cruz seeing his work load increasing, you should feel extremely comfortable starting the Giants receiver.

Key to New York Win



Al Bello/Getty Images

The Giants have to find a way to put together a pass rush to get to Brees. If they cannot put any pressure on the Saints quarterback, he will pick apart this Giants secondary.

Eli Manning has to get into a good rhythm. When he can get comfortable in the pocket and find his receivers downfield, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

The Giants have to find a rushing game. It doesn’t look like Bradshaw is coming back anytime soon and Brandon Jacobs hasn’t gotten it done as his replacement.

Key to New Orleans Win



Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Saints must take advantage of the Giants' hurt defensive line. They have no excuses for allowing their quarterback to get hit this week.

Running back Darren Sproles needs to be involved in the offense. Sproles has disappeared in the last weeks as he hasn’t had a multi-touchdown game in over three games.

The Saints have to put a pass rush on Manning. The Giants do not have a running game and if the Saints can put pressure on Manning, it will make the Giants almost useless on offense.

Prediction: The Giants are hurting on both sides of the ball. They can ill afford to lose anyone else on their offense or defense. However, because the Saints rank 19th in both sides of their defense, it will result in a surprising upset by the Giants on Monday night.

New York Giants 31 - New Orleans 28.

Follow @tjmcaloon