Carlos Rogers referred to the Giants as kings of the NFL. Yes Giants fans, our beloved Gmen thrashed the 49ers in what was supposed to be an epic showdown. Instead the Giants beat the 49ers on both sides of the ball, physically and mentally. Upfront the Giants overpowered the 49ers and ran the ball right down their throat in front of a stunned crowd at Candlestick Park. It was simply an awesome performance. But this win has sports media everywhere beginning to talk about how great the Giants are. How quickly things change in the span of a couple games.
This absurdity that the Giants are Super Bowl bound or the best team in the NFL is all an example of over hype. The win was sweet, that's undeniable. But just a week ago the Giants were a very questionable team with a defense that was playing soft to say the least. This victory over the 49ers is a statement, but was that really the 49ers best game? If these teams were to meet again would it go the exact same way?
The point is it's not always about who you play it's about when you play them. Credit should be given when it's due and the Giants deserve it. But no goals for the season are ever accomplished in October (unfortunately for the Giants). This NFL season has been complete madness. Who's beating who hasn't made any logical sense at all. For instance, earlier this season the Jets lost to the Texans, but the Texans lost to the Packers. The Packers, lost to the Colts, who the Jets just slaughtered this past Sunday. There's nothing logical about it. It's football.
Any team can beat anybody on any given day. The Falcons are perhaps the worst 6-0 team ever. They've dodged disaster the past three weeks to teams that have a combined record of 5-11. Saying the Giants are the best team in the NFL is crazy. The best team in the NFL will not be determined until February, but the media can't wait that long for a story. Reputations of who's the best will change week in and week out. So basically, sports writers will be wrong time and time again and it's the teams that start to believe what they're saying that suffer.
That's why the Giants don't pay attention to any of that stuff. Now there are facts that are undeniable, under Tom Coughlin the Giants are superb in the month of October. Time and time again the Giants have had dominant first halves to their season. This time it sort of feels like the same thing to any Giants fan. But as truthful as that all is, from a football standpoint it's completely irrelevant. Football is meant to be taken one week at a time, with different priorities each week. This week the Giants are coming off of a sick win but need to readjust their focus to the division. The Washington Redskins are coming to town in what is sure to be a battle, and a real test for the defense. With Robert Griffin III bringing new excitement to the Redskins, and the NFL for that matter, the Giants now have a second mobile quarterback to worry about in the NFC East.
Redskins tight end Fred Davis has referred to Robert Griffin III as "black Jesus." And after last weeks win against the Vikings, he's not the only one in Washington to think that. Griffin III had a clutch 74 yard touchdown that put the game away against a tough Minnesota Vikings team that has been surprising a lot of people. This match up in the Meadowlands this Sunday is sure to be another classic NFC East battle.
The Cowboys beat the Giants 24-17, and the Eagles 19-17. Those are the Giants only two losses, but they're two huge losses. If the Giants do not defeat Washington on Sunday they will be in a quick 0-3 hole in the division and just making the NFC East tighter than it already is. In fact, if the Giants lose you can kiss that "best team in the NFL" reputation good bye. In just one week, it'd become something more like "weak in the division" or something along those lines.
That's an absurd truth. Every week the media and the power rankings will portray every team in a new light. Being on a football team is about showing people one thing: wins and losses. That's why Tom Coughlin's only focus this week is preparing the Giants for the Redskins. It's a similar approach to when the Giants faced Vick, but seeing as RGIII is a rookie, he's going to run even more. And after last week, he has every reason to.
The topic of concern over the past few weeks has been the Giants defensive ends. Against San Francisco, Jason Pierre-Paul had his best game this season. The mental discipline to trust others around him ironically is what gave him more sacks, and was a big part in the Giants 3 takeaways on the day. Alex Smith has speed but he runs a much more standard offense. RGIII will be in the shotgun for most of the game, and running option draws with running backs and slot receivers. It's a big normality in college, and some young players are so talented at it, it's having a stint in the NFL. Cam Newton was very successful with it in Auburn and his rookie season in the NFL last year. RGIII is running a very similar offense under Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan.
If Osi Umenyiora continues to create this parting of the red sea hole with every snap, it's time for him to sit down. Either that, or use it to the Giants advantage. Blitz linebackers through the gap Osi's been creating with his foolishness. Perhaps it can cause RGIII to take more drop steps and Osi can get sacks and feel like he's contributing. The point is, if Osi continues to create holes with his pass rushing tactics and they go unchecked, it's going to be off to the races for RGIII. Ask Minnesota how that worked out.
That's the biggest concern, but it's safe to say Coach Coughlin is well aware of it. It's the players discipline that needs to coincide with the game plan. Last week was a taste of what the Giants are capable of when everybody's on the same page. Hakeem Nicks being healthy was a big part of why the Giants were able to run the football so successfully. San Francisco simply had to pay attention to Cruz and Nicks, even though Nicks doesn't even seem to be completely 100%. But Eli saw this and simply handed the ball off to Ahmad Bradshaw, who has been playing his best football lately. A lot of that credit goes to the toughness of this offensive line and full back Henry Hynoski. If the Giants have the ball in their hands, they have a lot of options of what they can do with it.
But the defense has to give them a chance to win. Don't allow RGIII to get fantasy points and be on sports center. Be smart and contain. Play Giants football. Because with the right attitude the Giants team fans saw last week could be here to stay.
It's all about taking it week to week. Washington's next. Huge game. Go Gmen, Tom Coughlin will have this team prepared.
This Blog represents my own personal opinion of everything New York Giants, other opinions are welcome and encouraged to be shared. All blogs are written by aspiring sports analyst and Giants fanatic Anthony Beers.
BELIEVE
the best comment i heard this week was from OSI. He said, "RG3?" a nickname already for a rookie? he's bob griffin to me. I'm calling him bob griffin. That to me was funny. This is a tough game this week. Some possible psychological edge for Washington, HOWEVER, just because they have a running QB does NOT mean that our defense will struggle like we have against them last year. Matchups, matchups. Prince and Antrelle are key to this one. Maybe some Tyler Sash this week? the two games last year, our offense had trouble, couldn't run the ball, had trouble with the D Ends. NOW, this game o-line is very confident. Hixon as the 3rd receiver, very stable. we have different tackles and let's give a shout out to Phone Boothe. He's playing very well alongside Beatty suddenly and Eli will get some time back there and Bradshaw has new life after Brown got 100 yrds. No better motivator in this league. G-Men have the #1 or #2 offense so I don't expect the type of game of last year where they got messed up. Also last year game 1 in Washington was a game whereby the 2nd half adjustment got us. Interestingly for the Cowboy game in week 1, same thing. Rusty coaches. Now our last two games we didn't have to come from behind. Hmm. what an interesting thought. Look at Vick and the Eagles, they are all up in the air. after 4 games, they were 3-1 and were behind with 2 min to play. Last 2 games they were ahead late in the game. If you play it that close it's like flipping a coin, too much margin for error. Eagles are 3-3 accordingly. The fact that the g-men won big the last 2 weeks is a key factor, they might lose this one, and if they do it would be a come from behind thing I think, BUT I don't think they will lose. It's a home game, they have some confidence up and some moxie about them, especially after losing 2 to them last year. And it's easy to get up for this game. To echo your comment, it's when you play them that counts. Redskins are feeling like. hey we are better than we thought. G-men are saying, we are just better. There's a difference and it will play out in this one I think. I just don't see the same line domination by the Redskins that happened last year, just don't and the game is won in the trenches.
ReplyDeleteTo the trenches indeed. Bradshaw is running with a purpose and as you said of course it has to do with Brown scaring him while he was on the sideline. Not to mention David Wilson is becoming a fan favorite from his exciting return game and explosive contribution to the run game off the bench. The Giants offense has so many options it's mind bobbling. And it's because the Offensive line is doing their job. The defense has to match it. You're right discipline from the safeties and corners is key. Seeing Antrel Rolle and Prince Amukumara play like they did last week was encouraging to say the least. I have a feeling there will be a big hit on Griffin III. He hasn't been sliding in the open field.
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