My take on why the Giants lost, at Outside the Beltway.
I must say, there's a certain level of happiness when you live in New York and have to hear all about how great New York teams are for months, only to watch both teams get knocked out of the playoffs in painful fashion. Hehe. As I said to a few people: The Browns may have stunk this year, but the Jets and Giants have as much of a chance of making noise in the playoffs as the Browns would have... but the Browns at least have a top-4 pick, which they'll hopefully trade away.
I think these may have been the worst possible outcomes for New York fans. Jets fans liked to say how close they were, and how it would be such a close game, and how Mangini was a 'Man-Genius' and just like Belichik... and they got spanked, hard. Giants fans actually would have preferred to get blown out, so they could complain about Coughlin's preparation, Manning under pressure, and the like: But the Giants scored on the opening drive, made the Eagles go three-and-out on their first three possessions, and Manning engineered a game-tying drive in the fourth quarter, even with a number of penalties. Ah, New York fans... I almost feel bad for you. Almost.
As a Redskins fan living in the heart of NYG turf, I know exactly how you feel! And I admit to pure schadenfruede at the results of yesterday's NFC game! Don't exactly love the Eagles either, but if the 'Skins can't make it I'd much rather see Philly than Dallas or NY.
ReplyDeleteIt's *wonderful* to not hear any more Giants and Jets talk around here. Maybe people will start talking about my Cavs... :)
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the Skins this year!? I thought they at least had a D... I really thought that they'd be like Jacksonville but in the NFC, enough to make the playoffs.
Ezzie, are you seriously contending that it's better to be one of the worst teams in the league than a playoff team? As a Jets fan, I'm MUCH happier about where my team's season ended this year than last year.
ReplyDeleteNormally I'd say of course not. In the Jets case, of course not - they're on the upswing, and they've gotten some playoff experience even as they rebuild. But the Giants? They'd have been better off not making the playoffs, and losing in a close one won't help them either. They now think they're a lot closer to that next level than they really are.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the net sum of things, a first-round loss vs. a top-5 pick? While making the playoffs is great, for a team like the Browns, the picks are more important.
Plus, it's just fun to gloat to NY fans. The Giants would be at the bottom of the AFC; the Browns beat the Jets. It's kind of like when I was in WITS and the Browns beat the Bears and Packers, or any time they beat the Steelers. Some things are just more fun. :)
"And in the net sum of things, a first-round loss vs. a top-5 pick? While making the playoffs is great, for a team like the Browns, the picks are more important."
ReplyDeleteThey've had a top-five pick for the past ten years and still never make the playoffs.
I haven't watched the Giants that much over the course of the season, but I disagree. The Giants probably would have won their division and even had a bye if they didn't have of the most difficult schedules in the league and if they were a disciplined team. They constantly killed themselves with dumb penalties and bad plays (not to mention injuries). Their 6-2 start was not a fluke.
ReplyDeleteLosing Tiki is going to hurt but Brandon Jacobs isn't bad and the NFC is terrible. If they get their act together they could compete for the top spot in the NFC next year.
I agree about the Bears needing more good picks more than a playoff berth, but that's because the Bears aren't going to make the playoffs unless they get a few more top picks. :-)
I don't understand what happened to the Redskins. Last year they had poor offence but good enough defence to make it to round 2 of the playoffs. This year their offence marginally improved but their D collapsed. They're arguably the biggest disappointment of the season.
ReplyDeleteThey've had a top-five pick for the past ten years and still never make the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteActually, one of their biggest problems was making the playoffs by going 9-7 a few years ago. It killed the team for a couple of years, as they didn't get rid of Butch Davis fast enough... and he had TERRIBLE drafts. That's why they got Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel - they're far better, both with drafting and free-agent signings. The Browns' drafts the past 2 years have been excellent, and their signings have been solid (though injuries have killed them). Another good draft this year could actually make the Browns a playoff team - especially as their schedule next year is pretty easy.
I'll make a bet right now:
ReplyDeleteGiants have better record next year than Browns.
Deal?
BTW, saw the first four episodes of 24 last night. Hehe.
ReplyDeleteWHAT?! How?!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's not a fair bet - the Giants play in a weaker conference.
How about the Browns will improve by more victories than the Giants?
Saw them with neuf. Download them here: http://www.isohunt.com/torrents/?ihq=24
ReplyDeleteNope to your bet. How's this: I bet you that the Giants will have at least one more win than the Browns. This should account for the obvious discrepancies between the conferences.
What does that mean? One more win is what you said originally...
ReplyDelete