Rematch

by AFanDivided on Nov 5, 2011 1:54 PM EDT

Last week’s game against the Dolphins falls under the category of ugly wins–it wasn’t pretty but we’ll take it. There’s not much else to say about it, other than the Giants will need to play better if they want to beat the Patriots in tomorrow’s rematch of Super Bowl XLII.

Follow this link to watch the video post: http://afandivided.com/2011/11/05/rematch/

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Sunday is the day every Patriots fan has been waiting for and every Giants fan has been dreading, since February 4th 2008. But do the Giants and their fans really have anything to dread?

February 3rd, 2008 was one of the greatest days of my life--after the game--before and during I was a nervous wreck. It's funny, at the beginning of the season, a friend asked me, "Wouldn’t you love to see a Patriots-Giants Super Bowl?" To which I responded, "Are you crazy, a Giants-Patriots Super Bowl would be my worst nightmare. I hope it never happens." And I honestly believed it never would.

The reality slowly sank in, on a not so cold night here in LA, as I watched Lawrence Tynes' 3rd kick sail through the uprights--the Giants are going to play the Patriots in the Super Bowl--oh crap! I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't decide whether or not to fly home for the game. I was haunted by the thought of losing. As if being a "Divided Fan" wasn't been bad enough already, I would never be able to live it down if we lost. Ultimately, I decided to stay in LA to watch the game. Joe couldn't leave town because of work, and since I'm responsible for putting him in this mess, I couldn't very well abandon him could I, especially when everyone in his family is a Patriots fan. It's a miracle that I'm still welcome in their home. Regardless, on that day we made chili and chicken wings, the fridge was stocked with Miller Lite and I baked this great Super Bowl cake shaped like the field--not hard to do they're both rectangles, the green frosting that's the key. Anyway, our friends came over and I told them to help themselves, because unlike last year’s Super Bowl party, I could not be a proper hostess, I had a game to watch. And watch I did, I didn't drink, I didn't eat, I watched, I paced, I prayed to God. And well, we all know the outcome of that game.

And ever since that great day and especially since they announced the 2011 schedule, I have felt a similar sense of pre-game dread in anticipation of this rematch. Every New England fan hate us, the whole region hates us and wants to cause us pain. But do the Giants really have anything to be afraid of? No. We're a better team than them, we weren't in 2007, they were the best team in football, but they don't even see it that way. On this given Sunday, we still have nothing to lose. Plus, we typically gear up for big games against good opponents, unlike the first 45 minutes of the last week’s game, so if the Giants can manage to play hard for a full 60 minutes, there is no reason why we shouldn't win. Plus, Eli tends to play well when the crowd is against him--remember that game in San Diego--and he's not about to eat his own words on how he should be considered in the same league as Tom Brady. Also, I'm happy to report that Pats fans are apparently turning on the team already, criticizing Belichick, getting down on the defense and even Brady. It's awesome! For us anyway. For me, I've decided to put my dread to bed, so to speak, and go back to a phrase that my uncle used to help us get through Super Bowl XLII--"I like our chances."

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Comments

Except this is a regular season game, not the Super Bowl

If you’re as nervous before this game as you were for SB 42, take some pills.

Stainer of mountaintops.

by Chairman Meow on Nov 5, 2011 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

I expected, and hoped to read,

more stories like this one this week. I too was a nervous wreck that day. But happy. Happy to be in the game, happy for the awesome ride our Road Warrior Giants had taken us on to that point. Just in a great, but anxious mood.

So many memories from that day and that game. But one that sticks out, and that I’m proud of, is when NE scored the go-ahead TD late in the fourth. A minute later my wife calls me and asks, “Is it over?” I like to say she meant not only the game but is she finally done having to deal with me following the Giants for several months. :-).

Anyway, for about a second I sincerely pondered the question. Before she called, I was still processing giving up the lead. Then the thought was crystal clear. I answered her confidently, “I think we have one more (TD) in us.” I really believed that Eli would bring the team down the field and score a TD to give us the championship.

It’s fun as all hell to play “remember when” with SB 42.

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

NYG 30 NE 29

by tommy d. on Nov 5, 2011 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

for ur appeasement

my fondest memory (beside winning) was prior to the game when the teams were being announced & coming out of the tunnel. The Giants came out with smiles & energy, jumping up & down. Then the camera zoomed in on Brady & Brushi, holding hands, silent as church mouses with a dead straight looks on their faces. I turned to the room & said “Did anyone else see that? The Patriots look tight & nervous. Which is understandable b/c they clearly have more to lose. The Giants looked loose like theyre gonna have fun no matter what happens. That looks very good for us & makes me think we’re gonna win this game”.

The rest of the room just snickered as if I was outta my mind. 4 Hours later, I was the one snickering.

Nobody wins the Superblow in November.
Talk is Cheap! Play the Game!
You can't spell Elite without ELI.

by 1giantlion on Nov 6, 2011 4:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice. I did notice that after the game

in one of the many times I rewatched it.

Cool that you picked that up the first time. :-)

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

NYG 30 NE 29

by tommy d. on Nov 6, 2011 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

I didn't notice that either

But after the game today I’ll go back and check it out.

I too had a feeling we’d go down and score—Eli plays his best in the last two minutes—but those last 38 seconds were the longest of my life. My favorite moment could be the Alford sack. That’s when I knew we had it.

If I’m having a bad day I like to watch the 4th quarter again. It still makes me a little nervous.

by AFanDivided on Nov 6, 2011 11:15 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions