FANTASY FURNACE

1. Rex Ryan- The G-Men have been riding a real ‘Ryan Express’ over the past three weeks. It started with their showdown at Met Life Stadium on Christmas Eve, when they went up against head coach Rex Ryan’s N.Y. Jets. After a week of trash talking by players from both sides, Ryan, with the biggest mouth of them all, watched as Victor Cruz took a 99 yard reception from Eli Manning in for a touchdown to take the lead in the second quarter… a lead the Giants would never relinquish. Final score 29-14.

Loud mouth Jets coach Rex Ryan has a few choice words for RB Brandon Jacobs following the Giants 29-14 win. Photo: msn.foxsports.com

2. Rob Ryan- The next big win for the Giants was against the hated division rival Dallas Cowboys on New Year’s Day, and another Ryan. Rob, the twin brother of Jets headcoach Rex, is currently the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. The game was totally dominated by the Giants from the opening 1st quarter with a 74 yard touchdown catch by Victor Cruz which led to a 21-0 halftime score, to the 6 Giants sacks of Romo, Eli’s 346 passing yards, 3 TD’s, and a passing rating of 136.7. Final score 34-14.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan turns away following a Victor Cruz touchdown. Photo: star.telegram.com

 3. Matt Ryan-In the third consecutive Giant win against a Ryan, this one on Sunday, Jan. 8th, vs the Altanta Falcons at Met Life Stadium, they faced QB Matt Ryan ( no relation to Rex or Rob…). If he had more protection from his offensive line and if there weren’t so many dropped passes (especially from Roddy White), and if they would have been able to stop the run better, then maybe things would have been different; at least it might have been more competitive. But Eli threw another three touchdowns, 3rd time in a row, and the Thunder & Lightning tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 155 yards. Hakeem Nicks cought a couple of touchdown passes and the Giants almost pitched a shut out against Matt Ryan and the Falcons, save for a Falcon’s safety. Final score: 24-2.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan reacts after an incomplete pass that was nearly intercepted by the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

 4.  Ryan Grant- This Sunday, the Giants will continue their post season march which will take them away from E. Rutherford for the first time in three weeks as they face the 15-1 Green Bay Packers. Clearly a step up in class as these are the Super Bowl Champs from last year. Ironically, the G-Men will, once again, face yet another Ryan! RB Ryan Grant. Although not the same Ryan Grant who tore up the league in years past, this version will probably serve as RB Jamie Starks’ backup this week, (if Starks is at 100%). The once prolific Grant will more than likely hang ’em up after this season is over. Although it would be a major win should Big Blue overtake the Pack this week, they can only hope that they will be able to face another ‘Ryan’ in their next game after Green Bay to help keep their streak alive…

Aaron Rodgers hands off to Ryan Grant vs the Giants at Met Life Stadium the last time they met on Dec. 4, 2011 won by the Pack 38-35. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images North America