They shouldn't, but the Giants will find a way to win

by Ed Valentine on Feb 1, 2008 8:04 AM EST in News Comment 31 comments

I have been trying to convince myself to come right out and say it for a while now, so here it is -- the Giants are going to win on Sunday.

Why not?

There is no logical argument you can make that shows that the Giants are a better football team than the 18-0 juggernaut known as the New England Patriots. But, there is also no reason the 12-point underdog Giants can't do this.

They have spent the entire season doing things nobody thought they could do.

• They have been better after the retirement of their best player, Tiki Barber, than they were with him.

• They have won a single-season record 10 consecutive games on the road.

• Tom Coughlin has gone from a guy likely to be kicked to the curb to a guy who is going to be with the Giants for several more years.

• Since an 0-2 start in which they looked horrible, the Giants have gone 13-4.

• On the road the Giants won playoff games in Dallas and Green Bay against two teams thought to be better than they were.

So, there's no reason the Giants can't finish this improbable season with the most improbable accomplishment of all -- thwarting the Patriots' bid to become the first 19-0 team in NFL history.

Here is one other thing to keep in mind. During the past four weeks, the Giants have played their best football of the season. The Patriots may come up with a great effort on Sunday, but in recent weeks they have appeared more beatable than they did early in the season.

Can I tell you how they are going to do it? No. Can I tell you the Giants have clear advantages in any phase of Sunday's matchup? No. Can I say the Giants should win Sunday? No.

But, I believe that they will.

Led by Coughlin, this is not a pretty team. But, it is a team that plays hard and believes that no matter what the circumstances it will find a way to get the job done. More often that not, it has.

I believe that, against the odds, that will again be the case on Sunday.

Prediction: Giants 31, Patriots 27

Playoff Predictions Overall: 5-5

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Good job ETVal

Well said

I'm a little sick of the media making it sound like the Giants shouldn't even have gotten on the plane.

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Feb 1, 2008 8:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

fair enough

I have to believe that every Patriot on that team knows the opportunity they have right here in front of them, to "be a part of ever", as Junior Seau so eloquently phrased it. It's a Now or Never thing.

No one thought they'd go this far undefeated, especially the national sports media and its talking heads. I have to go with the will of this team, and bet the whole shebang on Tom Brady. He's pulled the team not only back from the brink but into the red zone so many times, it's not really even a big gamble.

Prediction: Patriots 38, Giants 20

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Feb 1, 2008 9:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well...

The Giants present some challenges.

They have three talented wide receivers. They have two talented running backs and a punishing blocking back.

Defensively, they have a bright, talented defensive coordinator with many talented players to work with.

If Brady is not fully healthy and, as Simmons would say "doesn't have his best fastball", the Giants are going to be crashing into the Patriot's backfield.

One other thing that works in our favor. I don't normally put a lot of faith in this kind of stuff, but I am going to make an exception... Plax seems to be on a mission. The guy is playing on a torn ankle tendon. It's not going to stop hurting until he has surgery in the off-season. He made some comments after the Green Bay game that sounded like "we got this far, I am NOT going to let us fail". Plax is a talented guy. Plax is a problem for a defense. Plax is on a mission.

Still, in the Superbowl its always someone you don't expect who makes a difference. I suspect Steve Smith or that kid tight-end Pope might score 2 touchdowns and end up MVP.

I have enjoyed the last two weeks. I have enjoyed the hype and I have riled up some Patriot's fans (really, what a joyless collection of wrethches).

I don't think the Giants have much of a chance in the Superbowl. But its been damn fun getting here.

No matter what happens Sunday, we got some payback on Jeff Garcia, we got some payback on Terrel Owens, and just a bit of payback on Brett Favre. I will alsways remember TO crying on national TV. That was sweet.

I am hoping like hell that the "revenge tour" continues.... but its been a great season no matter what.

Go Giants!!!

My dying words will be "Go Giants!"

by wankerboy on Feb 1, 2008 10:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Few believed

that they had a chance in Dallas or Green Bay either. This team has an incredible knack for upsetting the conventional wisdom. I know logic says they can't win, but sometimes the intangibles win out. That's the best way I can put it. Giants, 31-28.

Let's wait until Monday to reflect on the season.

by django48 on Feb 1, 2008 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gmen

I really think the Giants match up well against the Pats on both sides of the ball and the difference in talent level is not as huge as everyone makes it out to be. That being said, Brady is Brady. The Giants absolutely have to bring him down and not just get in his face. I have faith in Spags to come up with a plan to get that done. Giants 28-24.

GO GMEN!!!

by potroast on Feb 1, 2008 10:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Defense

Personally, I think Osi Umenyiora is a huge key to a Giants' victory. He has been quiet for weeks now and he must have a big game. If the Giants are forced to consistently bring 6-7 guys to get pressure on Brady that will be a really bad thing.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 1, 2008 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Defense and attacking

I hope the Giants send the kitchen sink at Brady.

In the third quarter of week 17 he got comfortable in the pocket and he looked like a machine... 8 yards to Welker, 9 yards to Welker, 8 yards to Welker, 65 yards to Moss, 8 yards to Faulk.... They hung 22 points on us in 17 minutes of game time-- and they made it look easy.

If we let Brady stay in his comfort zone he is NOT going to make a mistake. He will keep our defense on the field for long periods of time and he will cut us apart.

I say blitz the hell out of him. Let's find out if his ankle is more hurt than it appears. Let's give him a chance to aggravate the sprain. If Moss beats us for an 80 yard touchdown, fine. Put the Patriots defense back on the field.

Go Giants

My dying words will be "Go Giants!"

by wankerboy on Feb 1, 2008 11:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Osi has been quiet so far in the postseason and that needs to change. The Giants NEED to find a way to pressure Brady with 4-5 guys. Consistently rushing 6 or 7 is a recipe for disaster.

by Josh on Feb 1, 2008 12:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's different this time

The Patriots have become notorious for letting teams hang around for a half, then kicking them to the curb. Just a hunch, but I think if this game is close at halftime, it'll be close in the 4th quarter as well. The biggest danger for the Giants is getting overwhelmed early by a playoff-hardened team that is on a historic mission.

by drunkUncle on Feb 1, 2008 10:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Giants have made a habit of coming back again and again this season, but I hope they don't try that with the Patriots. Ideally, the Giants will play from in front and make New England feel the pressure of living up to what everyone expects. If the Giants have to chase, they're in trouble.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 1, 2008 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The nightmare scenario

is a couple of early turnovers, leading to short fields and easy points for the Pats. It's tempting to say, let's just run the ball early and let the game settle in. But against the best offensive team EVER, that's really not an option. I think they need to come out guns blazing and let the chips fall where they may. A loss is a loss, regardless of whether the difference is 3 points or 30. Jax and San Diego played to not get blown out. If the Giants stay on the attack for 60 minutes, they'll have nothing to be ashamed of.

by drunkUncle on Feb 1, 2008 11:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

I fully expect to see the Giants come out with all guns blazing. I'm hoping to see the Pats get the ball first and put a quick 7 on the board to start things off. It's always easier (at least on the hearts of the spectators) to start off with some points.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Feb 1, 2008 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Jacksonville especially did not play to win ... they played to post a respectable score. I think that offensively the Giants have to try anything and everything. If they lose, they lose. But, don't go down without taking your absolute best shot.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 1, 2008 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ed

You might want to post some more girlie pix. It's starting to feel like the Alamo around here! :-)

by drunkUncle on Feb 1, 2008 11:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Girlie Pix

Damn, you guys are getting spoiled!! LOL

by Ed Valentine on Feb 1, 2008 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am beginning to...

sound like a broken record. The ladies are still waiting for some beefcake.

by NYERinKY on Feb 1, 2008 8:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Beefcake

I know, I know. Your time will come. Be patient with us neanderthals.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 1, 2008 9:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to think of a legitimate reason to

pick against New England but I just can't. This team is worlds better than both Dallas and Green Bay. The two big questions that are keeping me up at night are how are the Giants going to get pressure on Brady and how are they going to cover Wes Welker?

Do the Giants have a chance? Absolutely they do. I just don't know if they have enough of a chance for me to pick them objectively.

I THINK: Patriots 31, Giants 20
I HOPE: Giants 27, Patriots 23

But, I would LOVE to be wrong.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Feb 1, 2008 11:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who said anything

about being objective? What is this, journalism? LOL

by Ed Valentine on Feb 1, 2008 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with just about everything already said.

Want to add one thing that hasn't yet been specifically mentioned: the Giants have nothing to lose; the Pats, everything. All the pressure's on them. Will it effect them negatively? Who knows? It won't be a big surprise if it does.
The Giants can just go out and enjoy playing. They can be loosey-goosey, not tight. Will it work out that way? Who knows?
It won't be a big surprise if it does.

by george cronin on Feb 1, 2008 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You picked my score, Ed!

In that event, I'll go for the gold and take Giants 34, AssPatters 20.

by Mr Met on Feb 1, 2008 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Any score

that has the Giants with a higher number is fine with me.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 1, 2008 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel everyone's passion on this

thread as the Giants have been overcoming odds this entire season.

I found this information in a thread started on Pregame.com's forums:

>>> Odds of Giants Making Super Bowl XLII?
Considering the Las Vegas odds on the Giants' playoff games, the chances of New York winning all three on the road was 39 to 1 against.

>>> Odds of Giants winning 10 straight road games?
Considering the Las Vegas odds on the Giants' ten straight road wins, the chances of New York winning all ten was amazingly over 3,000 to 1 against!

http://pregame.com/forums/forums/ShowThread.aspx?PostID=265006

by JW Stringer on Feb 1, 2008 1:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Odds...

Just on a whim, I put $10 on the Giants to win the Super Bowl in July. I locked in the odds at 60-1.

I also put $5 on them winning the NFC Championship at 20-1. So I've made out nicely so far, but it could be a huge payout.

by mwilli on Feb 1, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Run

Shut down Maroney. Full extent of Bradshaw experiment is unleashed in this game. Jacobs-Bradshaw,Bradshaw-Jacobs, Pound the d-line, pound the clock. Make Brady stand on the sideline wondering how many more Mannings there are.
Dare I say i see the Giants secondary getting the job done. This game hinges on the coverage. Dallas O -line got tired, Packers O-line got tired. The front four of the Giants will be in Brady's grill consistently by the 3rd. They got 'em.

by johnd134 on Feb 1, 2008 3:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sports Illustrated predictions

The columnists at Sports Illustrated.Com have ponied up and put their picks in writing, along with a brief explanation. Some of them are dead on. Others are mad men.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Feb 1, 2008 4:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ESPN & Scouts Inc. make their picks too

ESPN, ESPN.com, ESPN editors, and Scouts inc. all finally take their predictions and put them in writing too.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Feb 1, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The run is over...

The Patriots will simply not allow their incredible season to end in failure with a loss in the Super Bowl.

The Giants had a nice playoff run, better than any of you expected but, they'll meet their match on Sunday afternoon.

by TruePatsFan on Feb 1, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

See you Sunday Night

loser.

LOSER!!!!

by Mr Met on Feb 1, 2008 5:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pressure

Can't help but feel uncomfortable pressure on the backs of these Pat's players and fans. I used to live in Boston and have fond memories of the disappointment of Patriot fans. Watching them call for Bledsoe's head. Ah, yes and I was that Wicked Mofo near Fannuel Hall with the Colts hat on. Don't even really like the Colts. I actually really like the Pat's, just New England fans are annoying. Here's to a Pissaaa Giants win. Giants Foreva.

by johnd134 on Feb 1, 2008 5:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

not that it really matters

but I'm pretty sure that back in the Bledsoe days, the Pats and their fans didn't really care about the Colts. The Colts were pretty awful for most of the 90's (hence getting back-to-back top 3 picks for Peyton and Edge), so I don't think wearing a Colts hat during the Bledsoe days would have upset them much. A Dolphins or Jets hat probably would have pissed them off more.

What does this have to do with the Super Bowl: nothing...I'm just so sick of waiting for the game. I want it to be here already!

by cjmulrain on Feb 1, 2008 7:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs