"the Giants will win" - Me, Friday, February 1st, 2008
Remember this little day last week when everyone started calling me insane? Who's laughing now world?
Three short days after this fateful prediction, I, and the New York Giants, stand atop the world as the kings of I-Told-You-So Mountain. And they did it exactly as I predicted it would be. The Giants debilitating pass rush brought Tom Brady to his knees, forced him to make the worst throws of the season, and reveal his status as a mortal man. The Giants stepped it up when it mattered on offense. Manning played the drive of his life with two minutes to go, hitting David Tyree with the play of the decade, and then Plaxico Burress for the go-ahead touchdown with half a minute left.
Sure, the Pats had time left, we'd seen it before, with 35 seconds left, it was Tom Brady's to lose. Not this time New England faithful. The second Manning found Burress in the end zone this one was over, and the Giants defense let them know it.
First down - Deep pass broken up
Second down - Sacked for loss of ten
Third down - Deep pass broken up
Fourth down - Deep pass broken up
Checkmate
The biggest upset of the season? Undoubtedly. Biggest upset of the past 10 or 15 years? Definitely. Biggest upset in NFL history? Probably. That's just how great this was, and the game was just good enough to make it absolutely amazing.
New York Giants are the Super Bowl Champions.
The New England Patriots are 18-1.
Believe it.
Disclaimer
The blog posts listed here do not reflect the ideas of The Bell, it's editors, advisors, or other staff, as well as anyone else in the world but me, myself, and I.
Showing posts with label Giants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giants. Show all posts
Monday, February 4, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
That's right gents, the greatest spectacle in all of sports is but TWO DAYS AWAY. I know what you're thinking, "Gee golly, I sure do like those commercials, but I really wanna cheer for a team this year. Who's the right call Andrew?" Fear not friends, I am here for you.
This year the biggest stage in football features the dynastic New England Patriots, striving for the untouchable 19-0 record, will engage in vicious concussion-inducing fanfare with the underdog, suddenly unbeatable New York Giants. Though there really is nothing new about either of these teams making a title appearance considering each has been in the play-off mix consistently for the past few years, the game is made intriguing by the storylines behind it. Has Eli Manning finally evolved into one of the game's elite passers? Will Brady be hindered by his ankle? Is this the biggest upset in the history of the game yet to happen?
Yes, no, and maybe. Let's dive deeper.
Obviously, the Patriots passing game is the fuel that runs the fire, though they have been running the ball nicely the past few weeks. Expect neither to result in great success against a Giants D that's seen more than it's share of trials the last few weeks. Stopping Brett Favre and Tony Romo isn't an easy task. The Giants defense is ready for the biggest offensive weapon in the history of the game, bank on it.
But can the offense keep up with the points the Patriots do score? Again, I say to you, yes. Eli Manning has been flawless in recent weeks and it seems silly to think that the Patriots will keep him in check when they had trouble doing that just one month ago. Plaxico Burress has never been hotter and he smoked one of the best corners in the game last week. Cap it with a bruising running game, and suddenly the Patty Cakes are in for a bigger fight than most anticipate.
Here's how I see it, the Giants are underdogs for a reason. They already lost to the Pats once, have lost six more games than them, and haven't got the record-breaking credentials. But in football, it all comes down to the expression made famous by Chris Berman. "That's why they play the games." It's why the Giants beat the Packers, it's why the Chargers beat the Colts, and it's why upsets happen every single day of NFL action.
Most importantly, it's why the Giants will win, 35-31.
*Dramatic Ending*
This year the biggest stage in football features the dynastic New England Patriots, striving for the untouchable 19-0 record, will engage in vicious concussion-inducing fanfare with the underdog, suddenly unbeatable New York Giants. Though there really is nothing new about either of these teams making a title appearance considering each has been in the play-off mix consistently for the past few years, the game is made intriguing by the storylines behind it. Has Eli Manning finally evolved into one of the game's elite passers? Will Brady be hindered by his ankle? Is this the biggest upset in the history of the game yet to happen?
Yes, no, and maybe. Let's dive deeper.
Obviously, the Patriots passing game is the fuel that runs the fire, though they have been running the ball nicely the past few weeks. Expect neither to result in great success against a Giants D that's seen more than it's share of trials the last few weeks. Stopping Brett Favre and Tony Romo isn't an easy task. The Giants defense is ready for the biggest offensive weapon in the history of the game, bank on it.
But can the offense keep up with the points the Patriots do score? Again, I say to you, yes. Eli Manning has been flawless in recent weeks and it seems silly to think that the Patriots will keep him in check when they had trouble doing that just one month ago. Plaxico Burress has never been hotter and he smoked one of the best corners in the game last week. Cap it with a bruising running game, and suddenly the Patty Cakes are in for a bigger fight than most anticipate.
Here's how I see it, the Giants are underdogs for a reason. They already lost to the Pats once, have lost six more games than them, and haven't got the record-breaking credentials. But in football, it all comes down to the expression made famous by Chris Berman. "That's why they play the games." It's why the Giants beat the Packers, it's why the Chargers beat the Colts, and it's why upsets happen every single day of NFL action.
Most importantly, it's why the Giants will win, 35-31.
*Dramatic Ending*
Friday, January 18, 2008
Goin For Gold - Championship Weekend
Ah, the glorious night be upon us my children, the final night of football before the all-hallowed Super Bowl XLII. Yes, this Sunday, the Chargers and Patriots will battle for the AFC crown, while the Giants take on the Packers for NFC supremacy. Who wins? Read on.
Despite their major upset of the Colts this past weekend, San Diego took quite a beating in the process, losing LaDanian Tomlinson and Phillip Rivers. While it seems both will be back, I still wouldn't count on them being gamebreakers. If the Chargers have a hope of winning, they'll need big receiver play and defensive pressure forcing turnovers.
But is it possible? Eh, no. Though I've been wrong about the Bolts before (scroll down), it seems unlikely they upset the Pats. Sure, mediocre teams have almost beaten New England, but for some reason, it just seems like San Diego will not be able to keep up, despite their recent win streak. Bill Belicheat's high-powered offense oughta be enough to keep San Diego on their toes and out of this one early. Pats win 38- 21.
Meanwhile, in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, the Giants look to grab another big upset (Who called that one? Oh right....) against the Packers. With low temps and wind on the way, it looks to be another frightfully cold day in Green Bay. While both teams come in red hot, I see the Packers as the better team. Brett Favre and Ryan Grant are playing like men on a mission and the Giants will need the D-Line to make plays to keep them in check.
Herein lies the problem for the Giants. If any snow comes blustering back into Green Bay, New York's line won't get the neccesary traction and will likely falter the same way Seattle's did. Toss in an overdue Manning pick or two, and the Pack win a close one in the cold, or a blowout in the snow. The diagnosis? Packers win it 24-17.
So that sets up the Brady/Favre Super Bowl quite nicely. Who'll win that you ask? I'll make sure to tell you in a week or so. Until then, have a good weekend, enjoy the games.
Despite their major upset of the Colts this past weekend, San Diego took quite a beating in the process, losing LaDanian Tomlinson and Phillip Rivers. While it seems both will be back, I still wouldn't count on them being gamebreakers. If the Chargers have a hope of winning, they'll need big receiver play and defensive pressure forcing turnovers.
But is it possible? Eh, no. Though I've been wrong about the Bolts before (scroll down), it seems unlikely they upset the Pats. Sure, mediocre teams have almost beaten New England, but for some reason, it just seems like San Diego will not be able to keep up, despite their recent win streak. Bill Belicheat's high-powered offense oughta be enough to keep San Diego on their toes and out of this one early. Pats win 38- 21.
Meanwhile, in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, the Giants look to grab another big upset (Who called that one? Oh right....) against the Packers. With low temps and wind on the way, it looks to be another frightfully cold day in Green Bay. While both teams come in red hot, I see the Packers as the better team. Brett Favre and Ryan Grant are playing like men on a mission and the Giants will need the D-Line to make plays to keep them in check.
Herein lies the problem for the Giants. If any snow comes blustering back into Green Bay, New York's line won't get the neccesary traction and will likely falter the same way Seattle's did. Toss in an overdue Manning pick or two, and the Pack win a close one in the cold, or a blowout in the snow. The diagnosis? Packers win it 24-17.
So that sets up the Brady/Favre Super Bowl quite nicely. Who'll win that you ask? I'll make sure to tell you in a week or so. Until then, have a good weekend, enjoy the games.
Labels:
Championships,
Chargers,
Giants,
Packers,
Patriots
Friday, January 11, 2008
Third Time's The Charm?
You all know the old NFL mantra, it's tough to beat a team three times in a single season. This is the challenge the Dallas Cowboys face as they take on the New York Giants for, not the first, not the second, but the third time.
It doesn't help matters that for the first time in years, the Giants actually look like they know what they're doing in the second half of the season. Eli Manning looks like his brother (finally), the running game is finally going, no matter how many times each back is gonna get hurt, and the defense is stepping up and making plays. At 11-6, the Giants are one of the most battle-tested teams in the league. 5 of the 6 losses they suffered this year were to play-off teams, Dallas twice, Green Bay, Washington, and New England. In fact, the only non-play-off team to beat them were the Minnesota Vikings, a team who just about slipped in.
Dallas still, arguably, has the best team in the conference though. Facing great ridicule because of his taste in blonde pop stars, Tony Romo will have to step up and put his play-off demons behind him to win this game. Terrell Owens is expected to play which makes things easier, but I maintain that Romo will have to win this game.
In all honestly, Dallas has not looked good in recent weeks. A team that should have finished 15-1, ended up with two ugly losses in the last month of the regular season. The momentum is traveling in opposite directions here, but is it enough to push the Giants over the unstoppable Cowboys? In a word, yes. Giants win 28-24.
Next week, I'll tackle the two championship games that I will have predicted correctly, as well as finally address those pesky other sports. Word on Brett Favre's future, the favorite in the NBA's eastern conference, the hottest team in hockey, and maybe a little off-season baseball.
Have a good weekend, enjoy the games.
It doesn't help matters that for the first time in years, the Giants actually look like they know what they're doing in the second half of the season. Eli Manning looks like his brother (finally), the running game is finally going, no matter how many times each back is gonna get hurt, and the defense is stepping up and making plays. At 11-6, the Giants are one of the most battle-tested teams in the league. 5 of the 6 losses they suffered this year were to play-off teams, Dallas twice, Green Bay, Washington, and New England. In fact, the only non-play-off team to beat them were the Minnesota Vikings, a team who just about slipped in.
Dallas still, arguably, has the best team in the conference though. Facing great ridicule because of his taste in blonde pop stars, Tony Romo will have to step up and put his play-off demons behind him to win this game. Terrell Owens is expected to play which makes things easier, but I maintain that Romo will have to win this game.
In all honestly, Dallas has not looked good in recent weeks. A team that should have finished 15-1, ended up with two ugly losses in the last month of the regular season. The momentum is traveling in opposite directions here, but is it enough to push the Giants over the unstoppable Cowboys? In a word, yes. Giants win 28-24.
Next week, I'll tackle the two championship games that I will have predicted correctly, as well as finally address those pesky other sports. Word on Brett Favre's future, the favorite in the NBA's eastern conference, the hottest team in hockey, and maybe a little off-season baseball.
Have a good weekend, enjoy the games.
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