GIANTS MARCH ON WHILE JETS STUMBLE

EVERYBODY’S TALKING bout the new kid in town, which is good news for reigning Super Bowl champions the New York Giants.

Brett Favre is still the center of attention with the media, despite his New York Jets failing their first major test against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Such is the Favre factor that the Las Vegas oddsmakers actually made the Jets favorites to beat the Brady-less Pats.

But Eric Mangini was comprehensively out-coached by his mentor Bill Belichick. The Pats managed to protect rookie quarterback Matt Cassel and while the Jets did okay defensively, offensively they lacked ideas or invention.

It wasn’t Favre’s fault. Every time the Jets had the ball, they were starting on their own 20. In contrast, the Pats always seemed to have good field position.

More bad news for Mangini is that the Jets next game is in San Diego on Monday night. 

The Chargers, robbed of victory by a bum refereeing decision in Denver last weekend, are 0-2 and hurting. Their season is on the line and they are sure to be straining every sinew to beat the Jets.

Super Bowl champions flying under the radar

Even if the Jets are good enough to contain the Chargers’ explosive offense, are they going to score enough points to give themselves a chance? It’s highly doubtful.

The Giants, meanwhile, play host to the winless Cincinnati Bengals and will be a huge favorite to go 3-0. Confidence couldn’t be higher and while the Giants play better on the road than at home, it’s hard to seem them losing to the toothless Bengals.

With a bye week to follow, the Giants could not be in better shape as they bid to shock everyone by retaining their title. Yet no one seems to be paying them much attention. That won’t bother coach Tom Coughlin one bit.

Tougher tests lie ahead. Both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles proved last night that they have the offensive weapons to trouble any opponent.

But one thing they don’t have is the defense of the Giants. Even without the retired Michael Strahan and injured Osi Umenyiora, Big Blue still looks to have one of the best – if not the very best – defensive line in the NFL.

In modern-day football, you have to be able to put points on the board. But you have to prevent them too.

We will have to wait until November 2 – the day when the Cowboys come to town – to see whether the irresistible force can overcome the immovable object.