by Lundberg - January 17, 2012 - - Comment Now »
I frankly cannot believe the level the New York Giants are currently playing at. It was just several weeks ago when I thought they weren’t of much greater quality than the Washington Redskins. Then they lost to the Redskins (for the second time this season). That was the end of the slightly above average Giants team.
Something happened after that game. Actually, many things happened. It would be too convenient to attach one reason for such a drastic improvement. In the Helen Keller movie I watched in school, Helen was having trouble learning due to her handicaps and her teachers were growing frustrated. Until her instructor signed water into Helen’s palm while holding her hand under a pump. I think it would be too simplistic to define one such breakthrough moment for this Giants team.
This was a group that was dead-last in rushing offense, 27th in total defense and 25th in scoring defense. Simply put, they weren’t very good. However, those statistics are no longer relevant. Through some combination of playing the Packers tough in the regular season, getting healthy at the right time (perhaps the most important detail), winning the much hyped New York bowl (probably the singular psychological factor I would point to), beating Dallas in an elimination game and steam-rolling through the Falcons, the Giants became a beast of a squad.
The Packers were 15-1 and didn’t belong on the field with them. Aaron Rodgers and a historically great passing attack got crushed despite having an incredibly favorable call go their way. They were inferior. Just like every other team might be.
The San Francisco 49ers have a great defense but the Giants D is playing at an elite level right now. After all, they held Atlanta and Green Bay to a combined 22 points. And with the way Eli Manning is playing and the weapons he has on the outside, their offense can go toe-to-toe with anybody.
As a team, they believe if they play their game, they can’t lose. I’m not sure they will. The only team I’m uncertain they are better than is New England. I think that’s where we’re headed; a rematch of one of the more memorable Super Bowls ever.
Tags: eli manning, football, giants, nfl, Sports
