here's why I'm confident

by long time listener on Jan 9, 2009 3:23 PM EST Comment 7 comments

We have not lost a game we needed to win since December 2007 (Week 15 v. the Redskins). Every single time since them, when the Giants have needed to win at least as much as the other team, they have won. Our five losses since then:

Patriots, Week 17, 2007: We needed to play well to gain confidence, but the Pats needed the win to finish 16-0. We needed the game as much as they did a few weeks later, and we all remember the outcome.

Browns, Week 6: We were 4-0, but the Browns were 1-3 and needed a win to salvage their season (which went to hell anyway).

Eagles, Week 14: After a long winning streak, we had the division more or less sewn up. The Eagles were fighting for their lives.

Cowboys, Week 15: We had the division clinched, but the Cowboys needed a win to stay in the wildcard race.

Vikings, Week 17: Giants had 1st seed clinched and only really played the first half; Vikings were almost in do-or-die mode.

Other than that, every time the Giants have needed a win, they've gotten it done. That includes all of last year's playoffs, the Super Bowl against an 18-0 team, and every game this year - which includes two of the four teams left in the AFC, and all three of the other remaining NFC games. They've needed a few breaks to get some of those wins, but they've also made virtually every play they had to make.

FanPosts are written by community members. This is simply a way for community members to express opinions too long to be contained in a comment.

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Hmm

I think Giants players might disagree as to the notion that there are some wins you “need” and others you “don’t need”. They probably want to win every game…and if they’re not trying, then that’s for shame.

But I agree, you guys should feel confident. If I was 12-4 in my home stadium I would be too.

by ajay on Jan 9, 2009 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think any players would admit to it, but it does seem like when you have two evenly matched teams – or even one team that’s much better than the other – the team that’s more desperate or has more to play sometimes gains an advantage. And it’s impossible (says conventional wisdom) for a team to play with maximum intensity for 16 games. The Giants have only lost when they have much less on the line recently, which is something to consider.

by long time listener on Jan 9, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Precisely

Good post.

by potroast on Jan 9, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

The Pats went 16-0 last year. They played every game with high intensity, but they also had a divisional cakewalk. Still to win all the games does take maximum focus. Now, I think that finally wore on them come Superbowl time when they ran into a hungrier team.

I am just fearful that the win when we have to and don’t push the pedal to the metal when we don’t is a slippery slope. I understand the need to holdback and rest players when it is a wipeout, but I wan this team to want it every single week and to destroy teams, never let up, humiliate them, because I think that mentality is what builds long term dynasties. No one settles for a let up game. No one underestimates an opponent. There are only a few teams in the history of football that have played like that and those are the ones everyone remembers.

I may be arguing something different, but I am arguing for a mentality. Whether it is to be expected or not, for 6 months out of the year and multi-millions of dollars and alot of my hard-earned money I want these excellent athletes to play to their capabilities or beyond. The team aspect overcomes one players off night .

Sorry, I am rambling, but I am pretty adamant about this and have always wanted the Giants to have this mentality and we are shown glimpses of it which is what kills me (games like the Browns was extra annoying). No matter what is on the line, I expect this team to play at the level they are capable of and I think we as fans deserve it.

by losangelesmets on Jan 9, 2009 6:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I like what your saying Long Time. I too feel pretty confident about tomorrow’s game because memories of the Panthers game are still fresh in my mind. That was a clutch performance from the offense and a gutsy one from a sick Tuck. Let’s Go Blue!!

by BigBlue4Life on Jan 10, 2009 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Its a level of intensity

You really arent gonna play as intensely when you already have the division title and #1 seed in the bank— this team isnt interested in posting up a certain amount of Ws or anything, as indicated by pulling out the starters against the Vikings instead of ending with a 13-3 season. The Cowboys second game though— I thought the Giants would see that as a must-win to knock the Cowboys out of the playoffs. I was so amped up that day on the thought of the Giants sending the Cowboys home and out of the playoffs, AGAIN, after beating them at home last playoffs. I think the Giants want to win back-to-back championships so badly… Coughlin has them talking about the Yankees in the 90s, steelers in the 70s, the bulls in the 90s, about separating good teams who win a superbowl to legendary teams that are held up as the standard like all those teams i mentioned.

by mahmoodzaky on Jan 10, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

the Eagles game and Vikings game really don’t bother me at all. The only game down the stretch that bothered me was the Cowboys game – there was no excuse for being flat 2 weeks in a row,

by cjmulrain on Jan 11, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs