In the week leading up to divisional playoff weekend, I predicted that the Pats would lose. I didn’t say who they would lose to, I just forecasted a loss to one of their remaining opponents this year. Unfortunately, neither the Jaguars or the Chargers’ B Team could pull off an upset win in Foxboro, so that leaves the G-Men as the last remaining team that could prevent me from having to apologize to any and all those who wagered their hard-earned money on my fearless prognostications.
The Giants, in my opinion, have been the best team this postseason. Unlike the Steelers of two years ago, who needed major strokes of luck (a Carson Palmer injury and a Mike Vanderjagt miss and a Patriot loss to Denver to name a few) to win their three road playoff games, these Giants were the better team in all three of their playoff games. They dominated the Bucs and Cowboys and Eli Manning led the offense to three game-winning drives against Green Bay. Tom Coughlin has mastered the art of game-planning during this playoff season and Manning has become a quarterback who consistently makes the right football decisions. It’s hard not to believe in him.
Prior to the playoffs, the Giants and Patriots met in a game that meant a heck of a lot more to New England than it did to New York. Nevertheless, the Giants played their hearts out and nearly prevented the Pats from completing their 16-0 season. The Giants defined themselves in that game and proved to the football world that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Regardless, a Giant win will depend heavily on the strength of their pass rush. I expect New York to blitz early and often because they will need to wreak constant havoc on Brady. A zone won’t work because if Brady has time, he’ll pick apart the weak Giant secondary and no linebacker can cover Wes Welker. The Giant front-7 will have about 2.5 seconds to get in Brady’s face and will have to be effective on nearly every down.
Offensively, Eli can’t just play mistake-free football. He has to throw touchdown passes and match every New England score because New England will score. No matter how well the Giant defense plays against the Patriot offense, New England will still put up 27 points, so it’s imperative for the Giants to match every score. They absolutely can’t fall too far behind.
I think the Giants can and will do it. As I said before, Coughlin has mastered the art of game-planning this postseason and I’m sure he’s aware of what his team has to do to not just stay in it against New England, but to BEAT New England. Manning has become a mature, poised quarterback who can establish himself as one of the game’s elite, if he gets the job done.
In any event, this game will be a dandy. I can’t wait!!
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7 Responses to “Why the Giants will win..”
Posted: 01/30/08 at 11:06 am
I don’t disagree that the Giants have played very well…but no matter how big a Giants fan you are, it would be crazy to say the Giants winning this game would be anything less than one of the biggest upsets of all-time. The Pats just always find a way to win. Tom Brady was very very bad against the Chargers “B” team but they still won.
The title of this article should be “Why I hope the Giants will win” because it sure was easy to start a playoff blog called “The Pats will lose”
Posted: 01/30/08 at 1:36 pm
Haha Sandy love the comments. I respectfully disagreed with the previous post “The Pats will lose” especially since he didn’t pick a team to beat them. He just said they would.
Also it’s worth noting that the Chargers “B” team beat Indianapolis and I believe all three of these AFC clubs would have a better chance than not at beating NY for Super Bowl XLII.
Posted: 01/30/08 at 6:33 pm
Lol! Thanks for the comments guys.
To some degree, I need the Giants to help me save face here because they’re all I have left before I have to admit I was wrong. But I seriously think they have a chance and could very well pull it off. Enjoy the game.
Posted: 01/30/08 at 7:22 pm
I really hope the Giants can pull it off, regardless we are in for one hell of a game!
Posted: 01/31/08 at 7:28 am
get that blog ready for Monday called “I was Dead Wrong” by Dave Carsley..lol
I agree they have a chance…if they didn’t they wouldn’t play the game. Should be a fun game to watch….as a fan of neither team I hope it just stays tight until the end.
Posted: 01/31/08 at 11:06 am
I’ll bite the bullet if I have to…but I’m not going to have to
Posted: 02/02/08 at 5:41 pm
As a Jets fan, this Super Bowl scenario was a Worst Case one….the hated Patriots going up against my bullying older brothers with whom I share a room.
Is it wrong to root for mutual destruction?:)
Seriously, though, I don’t think you’re crazy for saying the Giants have a shot at pulling an upset. They came to Arizona with an “Us against the World” mentality…..an attitude that has proven successful in the past (by the Pats, no less, in the Super Bowl against St. Louis.)