NFL Playoff Thread

The Giants' "choke" was back in November. Since then, they've been on a roll, winning five of six, the exception being one of those inexplicable losses to Washington. And the last of those four consecutive losses was that last-second one against Green Bay, when they played toe-to-toe with the best team in the league (regular season). Oh yes, and they were 6-2 when they had their slump. What other month did they underperform?

Their defense isn't as good as Baltimore's or San Francisco's, but their pass rush is, and with Umenyiora back, the overall defense is certainly in the same area code. And their offense is markedly better than either of those teams.

The Giants' passing attack isn't as overwhelming as New England's, but it isn't far off and it can kill you with big plays. And with Bradshaw back they have a far better running game than the Patriots. And the New York defense is tons better than the Patriots.

So, yes, the Giants are clearly the most complete team -- that is, strong in all phases. Others are better in parts, but none have as complete a package.

That doesn't necessarily mean they'll win it all. San Francisco could intercept four passes or the Patriots could bomb them with five TD passes to Gronkowski. But I think the Giants have an excellent shot.

 

I didn't even bring it up. I am never off topic on this thread. You are free to talk about what you wish, you know. OoP and I aren't discussion leaders around here.

 

Do a Google search for "Tom Coughlin fired" and get back to me on that. Actually, they were calling for him to be fired when the Giants were 6-5. The Green Bay loss actually made people feel better about them.

 

That's the way I've been thinking it is. You have an NFL coach with a three-game losing streak, and some columnist scrambling for an idea for that day is going to start suggesting the team should be looking elsewhere.

 

This is so ridiculously revisionist that it isn't even funny. Cutler leaving that game is why the Bears even had a chance to beat the Packers. That game was looking like 31-3 when he got hurt.

The Packers did one thing very well THIS year. Last year they were 2nd in the NFL in points allowed and #1 in terms of yardage. They could get to the QB last year.

The Steelers were "turning the ball over" because the defense was making plays. The Mendenhall fumble as a good a hit as you can make, and the pick-6 happened because the rush hit Roethlisberger and a duck came off his arm. The other pick was an outstanding read from Jarrett Bush, of all people.

Point is, you can win being a pass happy team that doesn't run. The Colts did it. The Packers did it. The Saints did it. I love how whenever one defense team wins a game now, even if the better defensive team has lost the last 10, we still have to hear how "defense and running" win championships. Maybe they can. But so can passing. Whoever does it better that day is going to win.

If the Patriots go on to win the Super Bowl I'm sure you'll be telling me how they did it with defense and tough running.

 

Say what you want about how they're gelling or whatever right now, but the bottom line is they went 9-7. He's very fortunate that his Giants made the playoffs, and if that 9-7 wasn't good enough he would have been, deservedly, fired.

 

I opined going into the playoffs that the Giants - if they weren't banged up or dysfunctional - had the most complete team in the playoffs, and in football, period.

That is strictly a personnel thing. Obviously part of being complete is being consistent. That's something the Giants aren't. But if you match up every team playing with everybody healthy and playing to their potential, the Giants are the most complete team in football.

 

Part of Giants mid season "slump" had to do with schedule and injuries. They had to play The Pats, 49er's, Saints, and Greenbay within 5 weeks. In the end it made them stronger.

I think it's a tossup between The Giants and 49ers as to who is more complete team.

Here is how I break it down:

QB edge Giants
RB even
OL edge 49ers
Rec edge Giants
K edge 49ers

DL slight edge Giants
LBs edge 49ers
DB's edge 49ers

I think it comes down to The Giants having a better QB. Really impressed with 49er DB's though.

 

Geez, I just realized I've been arguing with doodah.

Sorry, everyone.

 

On the first page of results, there isn't a single reputable column demanding that Coughlin be fired. A couple of fan blogs, but that's it.

 

Manky's sock puppet isn't as entertaining as the original.

 

Sorry, but to call the RB's even is a complete disservice to Frank Gore.