Perhaps the Seattle decision to run was based on the weak Rams' defense against the rush, but in order to loosen up the Giants' far more imposing defense, the pass and run will have to be used in concert.

The Giants will attempt to both stop the Seattle running game and establish their own with their three-headed ball-carrier -- Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw.

PLAYER NOTES

--WR Steve Smith will be the third one in, after veteran Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress' replacement Domenik Hixon. But it shouldn't be surprising to see Smith and the starting pair on the field extensively.

--With WR Sinorice Moss unreliable and rookie WR Mario Manningham unavailable (illness) it would be almost expected to see RB Ahmad Bradshaw moved out to the flanker spot. He has great speed and moves.

--TE Kevin Boss, still perfecting his blocking, has no qualms about being an "afterthought" in QB Eli Manning's mind. Boss has only three receptions this season, all in the last game, but Manning denies there is any reluctance to throw to him. "He's one of the receivers I look for," he said. "It's just that the first one or two guys in the 'read' have been open."

--Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was giving one-on-one coaching to LCB Aaron Ross and then nickel back Kevin Dockery in practice, working, it seemed, on their occasional pass rush techniques.

--DE Jerome McDougle was limited in practice (knee), while previously unavailable CB R.W. McQuarters (calf), rookie CB Terrell Thomas (hamstring) and PK Lawrence Tynes (knee) practiced fully.

GAME PLAN: The undefeated Giants will attempt to play strong defense and use the running game to soften an otherwise not-so-strong Seattle defense, minimizing the absence of star WR Plaxico Burress (suspended from this game for missing a practice).

The running game will alternately attack the middle of the Seahawks' defense, focusing on DT Brandon Mebane, and the edges, running against rookie RDE Lawrence Jackson.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Giants WRs Amani Toomer and Domenik Hixon vs. Seahawks CBs Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings - The Giants wideouts will attempt to deal with two good corners. By running deep and near the sidelines, the goal will be to open the middle somewhat for TE Kevin Boss and perhaps the third WR, Steve Smith.

Giants' LDE Justin Tuck vs. Seahawks RT Sean Locklear: Scouts say that Tuck might be the fastest pass-rushing defensive end in the NFC these days. Locklear, a five-year veteran, is a journeyman.

Giants QB Eli Manning vs. Seahawks LB Leroy Hill: Manning has thrown only one pick all season and will try to go deep once the running game has been established. But he might also isolate one of his running backs on Hill, a somewhat undersized (6-1, 235) four-year veteran.

INJURY IMPACT: The Giants report no serious injuries. LCB Aaron Ross had a sore shoulder but the week off appears to have fixed that. CB R.W. McQuarters (calf) and rookie CB Terrell Thomas (hamstring) will presumably be all right to play but could find themselves on the inactive list.