Lawrence Taylor's accomplishments are more impressive than Michael Jordan's in the context of their respective sports.
John Schmeelk: Fiction - From a team perspective, Jordan's pair of three-peats is not something Taylor can match. There isn't much disputing that, even though it is far easier for an individual player in the NBA to impact a game than in the NFL. The individual accolades portion of the debate is more debatable. Taylor's MVP award as a defensive player is more impressive than any of Jordan's. Taylor also forced the league to change the way they schemed offenses, which is not something Jordan did. Taylor was more like Wilt Chamberlain in that regard.
Lance Medow: Fiction - Lawrence Taylor may be the greatest defensive player in NFL history, but he mainly contributed to one facet of the team. You can't say that about Michael Jordan, who is one of three players in NBA history and the only guard to win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. In fairness, LT also accomplished that feat in 1986 but Jordan was just as dominant on the defensive side of the ball as he was on the offensive end. Not only did he claim 10 scoring titles but he also led the NBA in steals three times and was named to the NBA-All-Defensive First Team nine times. On top of that, Jordan helped the Bulls win six titles in the span of eight years, was named Finals MVP for all six of those championship runs, and won regular season MVP five times. In comparison, LT helped the Giants win two Super Bowls in a five-year span, was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, claimed one MVP and led the NFL in sacks just once. There's a laundry list of players that didn't win a title during the 90s thanks to Jordan. He absolutely dominated the sport from every angle and is synonymous with the word clutch. LT was an elite athlete and player but the Giants didn't rule the NFL during his tenure like Jordan and the Bulls did in the NBA. It may be a fun conversation to have but there's really no debate.
The best photos of Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who was voted the No. 1 player in Giants history.
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, left, shares a laugh linebacker Pepper Johnson during the team's training camp on July 31, 1993 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon Jan. 9, 1994 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) is congregated by Mark Collins (25) and Carl Banks (58) after his interception and touchdown run on a Joe Montana pass in the second quarter on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. at Giants stadium. The interception helped the Giants beat the San Francisco 49 ers 49-3 in their NFL playoff game. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
FILE - In a Jan. 20, 1991 file photo New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor runs after recovering a 49ers fumble in the fourth quarter of the NFC championship game to help win the game 15-13 in San Francisco. The two teams will meet again Sunday Jan. 22, 2012 to vie for the NFC championship. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli/file)
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 1987, file phot, New York Giants defense Lawrence Taylor (56), Erik Howard (74) and Leonard Marshall (70) celebrate over Denver broncos quarterback John Elway after he was sacked by George Martin (75) for safety in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin, File)
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants forces Tampa Bay Buccaneer Quarterback Steve DeBerg to throw an incomplete pass to prevent a fourth quarter sack on Sunday, Sept. 24, 1984 game at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
LT at his Locker before his final home game 1993
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, dressed in shorts, heads for plane to Honolulu at Los Angeles International airport on Monday, Jan. 26, 1987. Taylor will participate in the Pro Bowl. Giants won Super Bowl Sunday with a 39-20 victory over Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Bob Gablraith)
The defense of the New York Giants football team shown with their new poster,"The Crunch Bunch" subtitled, "The Board of De-Wreckers," in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1982. From left: Lawrence Taylor, Captain Harry Carson, Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelly. (AP Photo/Mario Suriani)
New York Giants Lawrence Taylor, left, and Harry Carson open gifts and fan mail in the Giants locker room in East Rutherford after practice on Friday, Jan. 16, 1987. The Giants leave Sunday for Pasadena, California were they will face the Denver Broncos on January, 25 in Super Bowl XXI. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
New York Giants, from left, Lawrence Taylor, Jim Burt, Carl Banks, and Eric Dorsey pause during practice at the Giants training camp in Pleasantville, N.Y. on Monday, August 4, 1987. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
New York Giants star linebacker Lawrence Taylor is surrounded by reporters' microphones as he answers their questions during the morning press conferences on Jan. 22, 1987 in Anaheim. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells, left, holds the Super Bowl XXV trophy while joining former linebacker Lawrence Taylor on stage during a 25 year anniversary celebration at halftime of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor waves to the crowd during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
This Oct. 25, 2009, file photo shows Football Hall of Famer and former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor gesturing to the crowd during a pregame ceremony before an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
Former New York Giants Lawrence Taylor shows off his Hall of Fame ring that he received during a half time ceremony at Giants Stadium Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 13-10. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Former New York Giants star Lawrence Taylor talks to the crowd during half time of the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants game at night on Monday, Oct. 10, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Taylor's old number was retired in his honor by the Giants. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Gatorade drenched New York Giants coach Bill Parcells, right, hugs his top linebacker Lawrence Taylor after the Giants clinched the NFC Eastern championship of the NFL with a 34-17 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Dec. 24, 1989. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Lawrence Taylor speaks to reporters during a news conference held for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's newest members in Los Angeles on Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999. Taylor, a New York Giants linebacker and the dominant defensive player of his time, was elected in his first year of eligibility. He was joined by running back Eric Dickerson, tight end Ozzie Newsome and guards Tom Mack and Billy Shaw. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski is sacked by New York Giants Lawrence Taylor for a four-yard loss during second quarter action at Philadelphia's Veterans' Stadium, Nov. 10, 1986. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Lawrene Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the field at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 19, 1982.
New York Giants coach Bill Parcells is carried on the shoulders of Lawrence Taylor (56) and Carl Banks (58) after winning the Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 28, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20-19. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor bites on a cigar as he signs an autograph on a football for a fan in the lobby of the team's Costa Mesa, California, hotel on Sunday, Jan. 19, 1987. The Giants arrived to begin workouts for next week's Superbowl. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Washington Redskins Gerald Riggs tries to break free from New York Giants' Greg Jackson, on ground, as Giants' Lawrence Taylor, right, moves in to cap the play during first quarter action at RFK Stadium in Washington, Sept. 11, 1989. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
New York Giants Lawrence Taylor, (56), is hauled down by Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, (52), after recovering a fumble by Steeler quarterback Mark Malone during the third quarter of NFL exhibition game in Pittsburgh at night on Friday, August 31, 1985. The Giants won the game 24-14. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler rolls backward into a handstand as Lawrence Taylor (56) hugs kicker Matt Bahr after game-winning field goal in final second of NFC championship game in San Francisco, Jan. 20, 1991. Hostetler held the ball then rolled into the handstand. Giants go to Super Bowl with 15-13 victory. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 19-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 8, 1991
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on January 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants hits Troy Aikman (8) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Giants 15-0 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 16, 1989.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 24-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 30, 1989
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants dumps Gatorade during a game from the Giants 1989 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the sideline during a game from the Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 34-17 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 24, 1989
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 35-7 win over the Phoenix Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 24, 1989
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants hits Steve Pelluer (16) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Giants 28-21 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 6, 1988.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 28-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 11, 1988
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during the Giants 24-14 win over the Washington Redskins at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 7, 1986.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pursues Stump Mitchell (30) of the St. Louis Cardinals during the Giants 27-7 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 14, 1986.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants returns an interception for a touchdown during the Giants 49-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Playoff game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on January 4, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 39-20 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on January 25, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants celebrates during a game from the Giants 1986 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor (56), Gary Reasons (55) and Kenny Hill (48) of the New York Giants purées Art Monk (81) of the Washington Redskins during the Giants 17-0 win in the NFC Championship Game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on January 11, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 17-3 win over the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 20, 1985..
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pressures Ron Jaworski (7) of the Philadelphia Eagles during the Giants 17-13 loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 9, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 24-19 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 10, 1985..
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during the Giants 17-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 9, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pressures Dan Fouts (14) of the San Diego Chargers during the Giants 41-34 loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 2, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 15-14 loss to the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC on December 19, 1982
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 23-15 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 9, 1990
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 21-14 win over the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on November 24, 1991
The Giants need to run for more than 100 yards in order to win in Chicago.
John Schmeelk: Fiction - The Bears might very well sell out to stop the run the same way the Steelers did in Week 1. Generally speaking, a defense can slow down an opponent's run game if they dedicate enough resources to it and it will be no different for the Bears this week. But will they? Last week, the Bears were content to play six- and seven-man boxes with both their safeties deep against the Lions. Will that be their approach against the Giants? If it is, then the Giants will need to rush for 100 yards to win the game. But if the Bears do everything they can to stop the running game, a Daniel Jones-led offense dedicated to the passing game would more than capable of leaving Chicago with a victory.
Lance Medow: Fiction - Last Sunday, the Lions ran for 138 yards and averaged nearly five yards per carry against the Bears, yet still lost. That's one indication why I don't think there's a magical number on the ground that dictates a Giants victory. With that being said, I think they need to run the ball effectively and much more efficiently than they did Monday night against the Steelers but, hypothetically speaking, if they finish with 99 rushing yards as opposed to 100, does that lessen their chances of winning? Absolutely not. Beating the Bears won't be determined based on the rushing total but more so based on how effectively they play off the run game and can open things up in the passing game for Daniel Jones.
How the offensive line performs against the Bears' defensive front is the biggest storyline.
John Schmeelk: Fact - The Bears might not use the type of creative blitzes that the Steelers do, but they have some good individual pass rushers up front that can wreck a game. Khalil Mack's reputation speaks for itself. Robert Quinn might play this week after missing Week 1. He had 11.5 sacks last year and would probably line up over Andrew Thomas for most of the game. Mack would play primarily over Cam Fleming, who had to block TJ Watt last week. Those two edge rushers are more than capable of wrecking a game. Akiem Hicks missed most of last season due to injury but he returns as the Bears defensive end in their base 3-4 defense and three-technique tackle in even fronts. He will constantly challenge the Giants interior offensive line.
Lance Medow: Fact - You hear it all the time but there's validity behind it: "The NFL is a copycat league." When the Bears study the film of the Giants' first game, one of their biggest takeaways will be how much pressure the Steelers applied and how effective that group was in stopping New York's run game. The Bears may not have T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree and Cam Heyward, but Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn and Akiem Hicks aren't too shabby. The Giants' offensive line will once again be tested and how that group responds will tell a whole lot as to how the Giants will perform on the offensive side of the ball.
CB James Bradberry vs. WR Allen Robinson is the key one-on-one matchup to watch.
John Schmeelk: Fiction - At the risk of being repetitive, I am going to pick the same positional matchup I did last week. How will Cameron Fleming be able to control Khalil Mack? Mack can wreck a game and if he is constantly in the backfield, the result will be stagnated drives and potential turnovers for the Giants offense. The Robinson-Bradberry matchup is a good one too. If Robinson was in a different offense he might put up similar numbers to some of the best wide receivers in football. His combination of size, catch radius, and ability to create separation is elite. It will be fun watching his physicality match up with Robinson's.
Lance Medow: Fiction - Allen Robinson is the Bears' clear No. 1 wide receiver, but he's not their only offensive weapon. They also have Anthony Miller, who is a vertical threat and hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass from Mitchell Trubisky late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Lions. Corey Ballentine played 59 defensive snaps (93%) in Monday's loss to the Steelers. More often than not, he was the corner opposite James Bradberry and if he matches up with Miller for the majority of the game, that's a battle to watch as Miller led the team in receiving yards in Week 1.
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