Giants-Patriots Two, Offensive Boogaloo

In advance of Super Bowl XLII, I put together my thoughts in a preview post and in the end, just couldn't bring myself to be a homer and pick the Giants. And who could blame me? The Pats had overcome absolutely everything that year. They looked pretty much invincible. Sure, looking back, there were signs that they were wearing down, but we kept thinking that all year and yet they had done what literally no team had yet done -- go 18-0. Then the Super Bowl happened, the Giants played a nearly perfect game, and the rest is history. 

I look back at my recap the night the Giants won the Super Bowl in Feb 2008 and I am barely coherent, but that's understandable given my lifelong Giants fandom and the magnitude of that night.

This year, things are so much different. As much as the media loves to talk about the "rematch," it's definitely a different feel. The Patriots got to the Super Bowl after going 13-3 in the regular season (as opposed to 16-0) and having the 31st ranked defense in the league. They've also only beaten one team with a winning record at the time this year (the Ravens). Even their first playoff game was against the 8-8 Broncos, which was essentially a second consecutive bye.

Now, understand, I'm not suggesting the Pats don't deserve to be here -- they absolutely do. You can only play who is on your schedule and the Pats have won 11 straight games. The last loss? Back in November versus the New York Giants. So I'm not suggesting the Pats shouldn't be here -- all I would say is that their path has been beyond easy. Almost no resistance this year, plus a fairly easy path in the playoffs. They're not the juggernaut they were four years ago.

That said, they could easily still win.

I think the Gronk injury is huge for the Pats. The guy caught 17 TDs and is the one guy the Giants would have a real hard time covering. Even if he does play, he won't be himself, so that bodes well for New York. If Brady plays poorly, as he did against Baltimore, I would say that's the only way this game could be a blowout, and it would obviously be in the Giants favor.

However, I think Brady will be as focused as ever and that concerns me. Also, how many times can this Giants brain trust beat Belichick? They've already won a Super Bowl against them and won in Foxboro this season. Can they win a third time? Sure, but it doesn't sound easy, does it?

The Giants were 7-7 at one point and looked listless. I even said on Facebook that being swept by the Washington Redskins and losing at home to Seattle should automatically disqualify you from the playoffs. And then the Giants simply flipped the switch and remembered how to play. They are here because they have used the formula that teams use in all sports to win titles: Play well, don't give games away with turnovers or mental mistakes, and get fortunate bounces. Hey, I'm realistic -- to win a championship, you don't only need to be good, you need to get lucky, too. It's all part of the formula.

Here's what I think: If both teams play to their potential, the Giants should win. The NY defense is better than New England's and the NY offense is comparable to NE's. Brady can of course be the variable, because he's so good he can alter games and bend time and space all by himself. But I know many Pats fans who quietly admit the only team they really "worried" about was the Giants.

If either team's QB plays poorly or the team turns the ball over, that's the team that loses. But hey, that's common sense, right?

I think both these teams and both these guys (Brady and Eli) will be locked in. I don't think it's the shootout that it could be and some expect. But I do think it goes the Giants way.

Giants 27, Patriots 24

Early Monday Morning Items

Alright, I'll say what everyone's thinking...If it wasn't for the Red Sox dominant pitching, ridiculous hitting and pretty-solid managing, they'd be nothing! Sadly for the hundreds of Rockies die-hard fans out there, their favorite team ran into a buzz saw the last four games and the series was over before it started.

Congrats Chowds on your second World Championship in four years. A good friend of mine is a big Sox fan and has been his whole life. He literally gave Epstein, Francona and the rest of the organization a "get out of jail free" card for the next five years...and was still enjoying the afterglow of the last WS; I'm sure he and other life-long Sox fans are enjoying this evening/early morning. I haven't yet seen it, but is Papelbon doing a queer dance to celebrate this victory?


Hopefully, he'll keep on more clothing during the parade up the Charles. It might be a bit nippy afterall.

You Stay Classy, Patriots!
While the Red Sox celebrated winning a real championship, the New England Patriots increased their record to 8-0 by laying a horrible wallop on the Redskins 52-7. That sounds a bunch like the score when any D-I team (besides Michigan) faces a D-IAA team (besides App. St.). The only difference in this case is the players on both sidelines are supposed to be relatively equal in talent. While the Patriots are a great team and their coaches seem to be a step ahead of everybody they play, that type of score is simply ridiculous.

This game was a clear blowout, regardless of late-game play-calling, but do the Patriots really need to go for it on fourth down when they're up big? I know, I know, Patriots apologists will tell me that it's not an NFL coach's job to take it easy on another team, but it is his job to act like a professional not a teen-aged bully with a sling-shot. Belichick is and will continue to be a classless jackass. His cut-off hoodie and overall demeanor reflect that he has the class of a foul-mouthed 20-something Southie after 5-too-many Natural Ice beers. Way to keep your fans happy, ass-clown.

I can't wait to see the stupid level of build-up this week's mid-season matchup between the Patriots and Colts receives. Both teams are enjoying typical Patriots & Colts-type seasons...and after the game next Sunday, both will continue to play well. Neither will be eliminated and there will be a whole lot of football yet to be played. That said, I hope the Colts backhand the Patriots and remind them about the last time they saw eachother.

Best Finish Ever?
I just saw this play by a division I-AAA team that included 15 laterals and finally a run that scored the game-winning touchdown...Is this the most amazing play ever? I don't think so, but it's pretty damned cool.