Giant Expectations by Carlos Morales

Yes, we are talking about the playoffs. At the beginning of the year, who would have thought that these Giants would be in position to make the playoffs? Let alone win the NFC East division? NOBODY! With all the injuries to the defense, only one sorta big name receiver, a revamped offensive line, and Eli coming off a 25 Int season, you could see why nobody believed in this team.  Except the Giants organization themselves did. Critics, “experts”, and even fans (myself included) were just hoping that we didn’t have an embarrassing record. Imagine all the Jet fans running their mouths if we did? Would have been horrible. However, this is not the case. The Giants have done what many seemed to be the impossible. Put themselves in a position to make a playoff run. Only thing that stands in their way and that would be our rivals in the east, who play out west. The Dallas Cowboys, led by Tony “for some reason people think I’m better than Eli” Romo, are also playing for the Division crown. These two teams, filled with their ups and downs over the course of the season, now battle one another at MetLife Stadium Sunday night for the chance to get to the Super Bowl.  Two very talented, but at times mentally handicapped, teams will battle it out on national television. Should be exciting. But how did this year culminate to end with one oh so important game?

First, we have to thank the Eagles and their “dream team” for just not showing up at all this year. The team many thought would take the NFC East by a landslide and be one of the contenders to win it all, just laid one fat egg. Do I care? Oh hell no. Fuck Philly and their fan base (This is my blog I don’t have to be impartial). I completely enjoyed the beating the Giants put on them at The Linc in September. I also enjoyed the poor tackling, the weak offensive line, the many injuries Vick endured, DeSean Jackson being benched…TWICE!, the failure that is the “wide 9” defensive line, and all the Andy Reid getting fired rumors. It was quite enjoyable. So with them out the way and Washington sporting Rex Grossman and John/Josh Beck (should I look up his name? yes…..but why waste my time…its one of the two) virtually made this a two team race.

Giants could have avoided this early playoff game in week 17 of the regular season, but that wouldn’t be true Giant fashion to let their fans breath a little easy. Losses to the Redskins….TWICE!, Seahawks, and the Alex Smith led 49ers hurt a lot. Not to mention the close loss to Green Bay when Aaron Rodgers went all Aaron Rodgers on our depleted secondary with 59 seconds left to play. This game would have been rendered meaningless as well if it wasn’t for the bright lights of Cowboy Stadium blinding Miles Austin and the hand of JPP blocking the game tying field goal at the end of a 12 point come from behind win for the Giants. If the Giants can play the same way they did in their wins against the entire AFC East (we owned that division this year), the first Eagles and Cowboys games, and even the loss to Green Bay, then I like their chances on Sunday night. Also having Justin Tuck looking like his old self again and Osi practicing at full speed, and it seems as if he’s good to go for the game, just boosts the confidence of us Giant fans. Teams can barely handle Pro Bowl bound JPP. If the other two are causing havoc along the line as well, Dallas will have to worry more about Romo’s overall well being and not just his hand. Eli, Nicks, Cruz, and the run game need to step up again as well. Jacobs was able to run on the Cowboys defense, so he should be able to do it again. Baring any curfew violations, Bradshaw should be playing the entire game as well. The thousands of fans chanting “Cruuuuuuz!” will keep the young receiver energized. Nicks and Manningham, both of whom are questionable for the game (knee and hamstring respectively) should have an impact, if they can actually HOLD ON TO THE DAMN BALL! Eli should just be is calm and collected self and its all good. I’m less worried about Eli to tell you the truth. He’s been carrying this team all year and has thrived in pressure situations.

However, there is one thing you have to worry about when it comes to this Giants team. It has nothing to do with the Rob Ryan and his defense (I think he’s overrated anyway), not the problems the Giants have at LineBacker or the secondary, not even the lack of a running game (to its credit, has been coming around the last few weeks). What I am worried about, is the let down game. The over confidant players thinking they got this wrapped up and it’s a no brainer win for the Giants. That was the mindset going into week 1. Despite all our injuries, it was only the Redskins and Grossman lining up against them. Giants lose. After a big win in Philly, which was Victor Cruz coming out party, we lose to the Seahawks at home. Starting our hellish schedule to begin the second half the season, the Giants beat the Patriots, ending their home winning streak. What follows is a loss to the 49ers, loss to the Eagles, blown out by New Orleans, and a close loss to the Packers. Giants rebound and in dramatic fashion to beat the Cowboys. They follow that up by losing to the Redskins again. Now, after a big “road” win against the Jets, are the Giants capable of holding on to that momentum? Can they end the season 4-4 at home? Or will they let down once again? Let’s hope it’s not that last one, or jobs may be lost and fans hearts will be broken. GO GIANTS!