On November 22, I wrote a post entitled “Another Giants collapse?” (http://wp.me/p1m3T5-4d) which lamented the implosion of the team’s playoff chances after a dispiriting loss to the Eagles. And I quote “While I am optimistic by nature, I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost 4 out of their remaining 6 to miss the playoffs. Again.” All I can say is that at least I was on the Eli Manning bandwagon much earlier than everyone else (http://wp.me/p1m3T5-49)! Obviously, the Giants pulled it together and beat the Cowboys twice to earn the NFC East division crown but honestly who would’ve predicted this Super Bowl? The answer is the entire Giants team which didn’t descend into Jets-style anarchy and for that, I will give Tom Coughlin all the credit in the world. He and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell were on the hot seat almost constantly but the team didn’t fold. Sports Illustrated had an interesting stat which neatly sums up the Giants season: no team that has reached the Super Bowl has ever been outscored during the regular season. That’s how bad their defense was, especially in soul crushing losses to the Redskins (twice!), Seahawks, Saints and Eagles. And yet the Giants, rather than the Packers, Saints or 49ers (arguably much better teams), are NFC Champions.
The comparisons between this team and the 2007 version are inevitable especially as they both entered the playoffs as Wild Cards and had to win on the road to get to the Super Bowl. Not to mention Lawrence Tynes’ clutch performances, kicking the winning field goal in OT of both NFC Championship games. However, in my opinion, the similarities should end there because while the ’07 team relied on the running game and defense, the current team is all about the Big 3 – Hicks, Manningham and Cruz. Brandon Jacobs had monster seasons in ’07 and ’08, running for over 1,000 yards but this year, he and Ahmad Bradshaw combined barely surpassed 1,000 yards. Plaxico Burress, David Tyree and Amani Toomer were Manning’s WR back in ’07 but I don’t think they compare to the ones currently on the roster. Plus, there’s Manning who after this season should never be asked whether he is an elite QB. Although the Giants defense has gotten its act together in the playoffs, that corps was plagued by injuries and the secondary couldn’t cover anybody.
To beat the Patriots though, the Giants cannot commit the dumb penalties they took against the 49ers (face masks and unnecessary roughness is unacceptable at this stage) plus they must win the turnover battle again. Brady will certainly have more throwing TDs than he did yesterday against the tough Ravens defense but if the line pressures him into mistakes, Manning and the offense are more than able to capitalize. As long as it’s close in the 4th quarter, I expect some of Manning’s late game magic to appear, this time in the stadium his brother built – what a perfect ending that would be to a wild season!!
Jamie Squire / Getty Images
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Tags: New York Giants, NFL, NFL playoffs, Pro football, Sports, Super Bowl
This has been a ‘Tale of two teams’; the one that prompted our Dec. 19th post called, A ‘Giant’ Euology following their ugly loss to the Redslins in E. Rutherford, and the one that’s been on this five game roll playing like Supermen. What a ride!!
Nice post! Go Big Blue!