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I keep seeing everywhere how well the Giants played against the Patriots and how close New York came to winning the game. Last time I checked, a twelve point lead early in the third quarter constitutes neither a win nor a near-win (whatever that means).
NE had 11 possessions, two of which were kneel-downs (end of first half, end of game). Of the remaining nine possessions, NE scored seven times - four TDs (with one two point conversion) and and 3 FGs. Once the Giants established the twelve point lead (9:12 left in the third quarter), NE ripped off 22 unanswered points, scoring TDs in three of the next four drives. On a night in which NE was missing two of five starting OLs (Neal and Kaczur) and their best blocking tight end, they put up 38 points in cold, windy conditions. And it could have been worse had NE executed better in Giants territory.
If that's the best they've got, you might start to wonder if the Giants D can manage to hold NE under 50 in the Arizona weather.
We might also think about the Giants' last score which produced the much celebrated three point margin - a 68 yard drive which consumed 3:32, leaving 1:04 on the clock. NE played a very soft prevent defense precisely because Belichick has always been willing to concede that score as long as enough time elapses.
I greatly admire the Giants for the effort put forth in that game and if that's what has inspired them to play at a higher level in the play-offs, then good for them. Nevertheless, the media droning on endlessly that the Giants played great and that they almost won doesn't make it true.
NE had 11 possessions, two of which were kneel-downs (end of first half, end of game). Of the remaining nine possessions, NE scored seven times - four TDs (with one two point conversion) and and 3 FGs. Once the Giants established the twelve point lead (9:12 left in the third quarter), NE ripped off 22 unanswered points, scoring TDs in three of the next four drives. On a night in which NE was missing two of five starting OLs (Neal and Kaczur) and their best blocking tight end, they put up 38 points in cold, windy conditions. And it could have been worse had NE executed better in Giants territory.
If that's the best they've got, you might start to wonder if the Giants D can manage to hold NE under 50 in the Arizona weather.
We might also think about the Giants' last score which produced the much celebrated three point margin - a 68 yard drive which consumed 3:32, leaving 1:04 on the clock. NE played a very soft prevent defense precisely because Belichick has always been willing to concede that score as long as enough time elapses.
I greatly admire the Giants for the effort put forth in that game and if that's what has inspired them to play at a higher level in the play-offs, then good for them. Nevertheless, the media droning on endlessly that the Giants played great and that they almost won doesn't make it true.