We were impressed by the ability of the Giants to overcome a disappointing finish to the 2008 season by settling back into the valley of 0-0 and climbing out of it, one win at a time.
But then, after five straight victories to start the season, the Giants have fallen.
And they can’t get up.
The last three weeks have been disastrous for the Giants. A 21-point loss at New Orleans, a sluggish performance at home in prime time against an Arizona team that lost by 21 when they last entered the Meadowlands to face the Jets in 2008, and now a 23-point drubbing at Philly, where the Giants had won four straight times.
Our theory, consciously or otherwise, is that once the Giants got a taste of just how good the Saints are, the Giants realized that this year won’t be New York’s year to win another Super Bowl, or to even get there.
And so that slap in the face made it hard for the Giants to get their act together before playing the Cardinals.
Still, a 23-point loss at Philly should raise eyebrows in New York. Linebacker Antonio Pierce called it “a complete embarrassment and disappointment,” according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
The root cause could be a level of arrogance that the talent level on the team doesn’t justify.
“We keep talking about ‘Well, that team ain’t better than us. We just didn’t play good,’” defensive end Justin Tuck said. “After three weeks in a row, something is not clicking the way it needs
to be. We’ve got to look ourselves in the mirror and get this ship
right. Now.”
It sounds good. But it’s not like the Giants have lost three straight games on fluke plays. They were blown out twice, and they came off as uninspired in the home loss.
Again, it appears that the 5-0 start was influenced in large part by the fact that the Giants primarily played bad teams (Redskins, Bucs, Chiefs, Raiders). Their only impressive victory came at Dallas, but it arguably wasn’t a game the Giants won as much as it was a game the Cowboys lost.
So the reality could be that the Giants haven’t lost their magic. The reality could be that, this year, they simply don’t have any — and that they’re going to be the last ones to figure it out.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have put an embarrassing loss at Oakland in the rear-view mirror, and they’ve moved to 5-2, good for a first-place tie with the Cowboys. Tailback LeSean McCoy did a fine job of filling in for Brian Westbrook (concussion, knee) and fullback Leonard Weaver pitched in with a stunning 41-yard touchdown scamper.
And with quarterback Donovan McNabb having time to cook lunch and do a crossword puzzle before throwing most of his 23 passes, the Eagles rolled to a 30-7 lead at the half, making the final two quarters a glorified exhibition.
The big test for Philly comes next week, when the 5-2 Cowboys come to town for a Sunday night game. (On NBC.) Regardless of the outcome, it now looks like this division will be determined on January 3, when the Eagles and Cowboys get together in Dallas.
Possibly once again in prime time.
An unidentified eagle was quoted as saying: “The game was like a scrimmage.”
You forgot to mention how good Eli looked yesterday. Elmer Fudd threw two interceptions, missed open receivers and generally looked clueless. Just how we like him.
The game has passed Tom Coughlin by. The Superbowl was a magical mystery tour, but it’s over.
Yes, the last three weeks have been embarrasing.
Yes, the defense is terrible
Yes, Manning looks like his foot is affecting his throws.
However, the Giants are still 5-3 overall. They are 2-1 in the division. They are 3-3 in the conference. They have a bye, and will potentially get back Chris Canty, Michael Boley, and Aaron Ross on defense.
As I recall, the Eagles were left for dead mid-season last year, too, when McNabb got benched for Kolb during the Ravens game.
They’re at the halfway point, and despite the last three weeks, their fast start gave them a cushion t rigth the ship. There is time to turn it around.
What a difference a couple of weeks make, or for that matter a week.
Love the insight: give a qb time and he will throw…..brilliant. That was the Eagles’ problem vs. Oakland. As their line comes together, so do they. Adding ‘Spoon’ now seems like a pretty good move, eh? Giving up a 5th and Gibson wasn’t so bad afterall…..
As for the G-Men, they have been decimated by injuries on defense and have little depth. Something that I pointed out long ago. If they get those guys back, they can right the ship and close out the season …. 2nd behind the Eagles.
Eagles defense is coming together and flying to the ball.
Spoon can sneeze with his eyes open!!
I expected a win….but not this big.
I fully expect a different story in the Meadowlands.
History shows that.
Repeat: Dallas is a NON FACTOR in the division.
Cue Mr Vagina’s babble.
44-6
DJ’s sweating the Cowboys haha
As a giant fan, i read the other comments and would have to agree with guys like smush. I was able to witness live at the meadowlands and on TV yesterday, their D is slow. Kenny phillips was a huge loss for the Giants, CC Brown is not an NFL player, he has been abused 3 weeks in a row. Antonio pierce has been garbage for 3 yrs, i argue with Giant fans all the time, he is SLOW, he used to get beat on the pass, now he gets beat on the run. They brought in Mike boley for coverage and running guys down, in the 2 games he has played he has been excellent, but of course, he cant get on the field, ross and canty either. If they get healthy this will be a nice run, but if its the same BS week in and out, the giants will have to find a way to sneak in. They need to stop with the loyalty and bench Pierce already. CC brown is a train wreck out there, I know he is phillips backup, but thats the best they can do? Eli’s first pick was the coordinators fault. Anyone on this board would have been able to pick that, all you have to do is watch film. Travis Beckum is out there for ONE play a game and they throw it to him on that route ONCE a game, eagles picked it up and jumped the route. Most philly fans will be on here bashing eli, but truth be told its the injuries on D have caught up to them and they are SLOW, SLOW, SLOW out there and clueless. Manning could have thrown for 5 td’s and they would have lost, period. To be honest, he gives them a chance to win when he gets in a groove but they need a new coordinator, need guys healthy and need to start benching people (pierce) if it wasnt for the world series this game would have ruined my week, fortunately a week 8 regular season game takes a back seat to the championship, next time I wont be so lucky.
can we stop using the word scamper?
As a life-long Giants fan (back to the days of Gifford, Huff, and the like), I have to agree that there is something wrong with this team. The O line though the same guys, can’t push anyone around. The infamous, tough D is not stopping the run, can’t stop the pass…and don’t get me going about special teams. Injuries have hurt… Ross, Phillips, Alford… the loss of Derek Ward, Plaxico, Toomer …have exposed the Giants as a team with a lot of weaknesses. I have to admit, I was never a fan of Eli but jumped on the bandwagon when they got to the Super Bowl. Now, he’s looking confused, frustrated, and not at all confident. What’s going on? At least the Yankees are stomping the Phils, so far.
East airhead
Remember Coughlin’s def. co-ord Tim Lewis the complete incompetant who Coughlin hired and refused to fire for years? Well he’s got a reincarnation of Lewis there now – Sheridan – if this guy isn’t immediately fired this team is done like dinner! Chargers last year around this time had to pull the plug on Cottrell to save their season AND it worked.
Giants must do the same! Fire Sheridan now! They will then be able to beat Chargers on Sunday to go to 6-3 a half game out of first and back into 2nd place in East and first in wildcard race.
Keep this total incompetant and playoff streak ends at 4.
Although he’s not doing so great as a head coach, the difference here is Steve Spagnuolo. The Giants won the superbowl a couple of years ago because of their defense – not Mr. Aw Shucks!
Couglin permitted a lackadaisical week of practice before N.O., apparently unable to impress upon the team of the importance of the game. The key play was Webster’s failure to hold on to an interception on N.O.’s first drive. Jacobs stops cold before he gets to l of s. No wonder Coughlin did not trust him on fourth and a foot vs Cards with the game on the line. It is not so much the injuries, but the disinterested attitude of the players which seems to pick up the lousy coaching they are getting. Pierce still believes appearently that he strides within the great tradition of Sam Huff and L.T. The G-Men are no longer worth the effort it takes to try to cheer them on each Sunday. When the announcers mock the team they are reporting on — as the crew did yesterday to the Giants — why bother? This team has opened up Sunday afternoons for me and I give them grudging thanks for that.
DJ’s sweating the Cowboys haha
Not even the sweat off my hairy balls, DoubleV
44-6
jkorn,
First off, congrats on the Yankees win. Tough one for Phils…
Like on of the other commenters said, the Eagles were left for dead too. This is the NFL, you can rebound from a couple of bad weeks. “Eagles lost to Raiders – they are terrible”…. It is that mentality that makes people argue so much.
I have long thought that the Giants were overated – especially this year but they are not as bad as they were yesterday. Florio is ripping the Giants but he had them on the top of his power rankings for weeks. Where is the analysis?
One other thing. Brandon Jocobs is the most overrated player in the NFL.
Kudo’s to Florio for being fair and unbiased in breakdown not marred with the love for his favorite team.
Nice Honest Work – G Men will bounce back, just hopefully not against the Boys.
Keep in mind, we gotta play dem Saints too!
SMush youre wrong, pierce is the most overrated player in football. I didnt anticipate all the injuries the giants would have. Giant fans whine about kenny phillips, how come he doesnt knock peoples helmets off, i thought he was a big hitter etc etc…Truth is, hes 21 yrs old, big for a safety and was a ball hawk, ill trade in the big hits for his coverage any day of the week, cc brown is the worst NFL player i have ever seen. giants will get healthy, but it has to be soon.
The coaching staff is not going to “get healthy”. They lost the path… lost their identity as a team. I doubt that they can get it back with Coughlin at the helm.
Most philly fans will be on here bashing eli, but truth be told its the injuries on D have caught up to them and they are SLOW, SLOW, SLOW out there and clueless.
I’m not buying that brand. The DL is still intact and if you’re depending on a backup player to make that much of an impact, you’re drawing at straws.
It all starts upfront and your boys are just NOT getting it done. No quickness off the edges and your interior is just getting pushed around. That’s uninspired football. There is talent there. That’s not an excuse. I, for one, was shocked at the lack of fire in the pass rush. McNabb might not have been sacked in a YEAR by the Giants up to that point, but the Eagles are well aware of the pass rush they can put on you. Yet, it was a non factor all day, especially on the big plays. The Jackson TD was more of a shocker not from the execution but from the fact it took so long to develop AND IT STILL WORKED. Amazing.
If your DL was playing better, you wouldn’t worry about the backfield so much. Fact.
Nice win Birds. How in the hell did you lose to the Raiders!!! We should be 6-1. Oh well, let’s see if they play with some consitency now. Balance ANDY!!! We were almost 50-50 with run/pass and we blew a team out. Wow, what a concept!!
Giants look sloppy on D once they get behind, looked snappy to start the game, aside from the big run. Once they were down 2 touchdowns they lost any fire they had.
Eli looked like a clown in the pocket before he was really even pressured.
WTF happened to the Giants “dynasty” I kept hearing about?
Lot of excuses.
This is the NFL, you can rebound from a couple of bad weeks. “Eagles lost to Raiders – they are terrible”…. It is that mentality that makes people argue so much.
Unless you’re an idiot Dallas fan.
Ask these clowns what mattered more for which team:
The fact they lose to a 2 win conference opponent in St Louis or the Eagles TIE a (then) hapless Bengals team on the road.
If the Pokes took care of business against the Rams, the last game would have been meaningless. Regardless of the loss vs the Ravens the previous week or the impending bloodletting that awaited them in Philadelphia, they would have eliminated the Eagles with a better division AND conference record; Win or lose, they would have already QUALIFIED.
The TIE actually saved the Eagles’ bacon ( in addition to the playoffs Rubik’s cube scenario that actually transpired) since they had fewer LOSSES.
Yet these idiots still babble on about a non conference loss against a completely inferior team which is going to be meaningless come playoff seedings.
Tip: If you’re going to tank a game, don’t do it against either a division OR conference opponent.
DJ- the Giants DL is intact in name only. Osi is not the same as he was pre-injury and Tuck has a bumb shoulder complements of the dirtiest player in the NFL, Flozell Adams. A decent amount of the pass rushing scheme was supposed to come from Tuck moving inside, which he can’t do right now (as pointed out during the game) and having a healthy Osi and Kiwi pressure from the outside. These aren’t excuses but your statement is just wrong.
Also Ralphie- dynasty or no dynasty no one talks more sh** than the Eagles and their fans, especially for a franchise with ZERO hardware.
For what it’s worth,
the Eagles and cowboys are not tied in the division. true they have the same record right now, but, the Eagles are 2-0 against division teams, the cowboys are 0-1. not really a tie there.
Chris canty will help out the line when he returns. Giants cant blitz or send anyone because their secondary is so banged up that the coordinators refuse to leave them high and dry out there. At this point, whats the difference? CC Brown is going to get burnt regardless…hes a bum
i heard once ross comes back they might give terrell thomas some burn at S
“Again, it appears that the 5-0 start was influenced in large part by the fact that the Giants primarily played bad teams (Redskins, Bucs, Chiefs, Raiders). ”
Yet, Florio, you continually insisted 0n making them #1 in your power rankings.
“…and they’ve moved to 5-2, good for a first-place tie with the Cowboys.”
Technically, no. Eagles take first place with the tie-breaker. If that means anything at this point in the season, which is really doesn’t.
Giants D didnt cause Eli to throw the pics yesterday! This 1 game the Birds and Giants usually split the games……ALSO, I think Pierce is the weak spot on the Giants D…get him matched up on a TE or RB and it is over…….the Giantts to seem to be very slow…I think Osi isn’t 100% yet…AND JACOBS has been reeling almost all yr….. I look for game #2 in the Meadowlands to be a lot tougher for the Birds…with the Giants being favored to win….
@Bavaro
If they aren’t excuses, why are you using them?
If you have players that aren’t the same “pre-injury” why start them? Could it be that one of them made his bones in ONE GAME two years ago and has been living off that ever since? Perhaps?
If there are players that aren’t able to contribute, why are they on the field?
And if anyone is talking shit about the Eagles is either an idiot, moron or both. Anyone with any sense can see that, while they are still extremely talented and explosive, they are far from a finished product. The QB keeps repeating this, but obviously noone is listening.
The thing about firing Sheridan is Giants fans – the Eagles don’t have any coaches we feel like letting you have at the moment.
Oh and they are starting with the SB rings argument now…even though it has ZERO to do with what we are talking about. It’s like this weak little defense mechanism for you guys – “HEY, we won some SB’s in the 80′s so this game doesn’t even matter!!!”
See you at the next scrimmage VaGiants, and maybe next time Florio can give the Eagles a little more credit for things rather than just say “oh well the Giants didn’t do this the Giants didn’t do that”.
I know it kills you to do it Florio, but it’s called being an unbiased professional.
“Magical Mystery Tour” Krow?
Or the greatest playoff run in the history of football–Don’t be bitter because your franchise still hasn’t won anything. You’re still in the bottom half of NFL all time teams. Once you realize your place in this world you’ll be better off. Haah.
As a Giants fan, I can very easily admit that they got smoked in every aspect of the game. Something has happened to this team as a whole, and most of it appears to be mental rather than physical. The Saints really took the wind out of their sails, the Cards fired the first torpedo, and the Eagles sank the son of a bitch. Not much else to say about it, other than congrats to the Eagles.
Will they get things straightened out? Not as long as C.C Brown is on the roster. I’m not even sure he’d hold down a roster spot in the AFL(if it were still around)
@bavaro89 says:
November 2, 2009 11:01 AM
“Also Ralphie- dynasty or no dynasty no one talks more sh** than the Eagles and their fans, especially for a franchise with ZERO hardware.”
_______________________________________
I normally would agree with that, but Giants fans have done their fair share also. However, NOBODY outdoes Jets fans (or their players and HC) when it comes to talking shit.
I aint an Eagles fan either. I just been hearing a lot of “dynasty” talk from Giants fans the past few years. Which is pretty funny because before the Giants caught lightning in a bottle starting in December of 07 the fans and Tabloids pretty much wanted Eli and Coughlin’s head on a stake for several years before that for inconsistent play and coaching. A Lombardi will get you a pass for a few years, but getting punched out by Philly last year in the playoffs and the way the Giants have looked playing real teams the past few weeks makes you wonder. I think Spagnuolo was the real MVP of that SB team, not Eli. Eli’s a middle of the road QB, and when all is said it done his record and stats will bear that out. No way is he even close to his brother.
The maddening thing about the Eagles is that they seem to play at the level of the oppositions reputation. When the teams are supposed to be good they play well, when the team allegedly sucks, they play poorly. I don’t think anyone really knows yet what the Eagles team is. I know I don’t.
This isn’t new this year, but it sure is annoying as hell.
They aren’t excuses they are facts. You said the DL is the same and I said they are the same in name only because they are hurt. How is that an excuse? The Eagles are better right now.
Ralphie, glad you aren’t an Eagle fan, the less the better. World is a quieter, more educated place without them.
Dynasty talk was clearly overblown, however a storng relatively young D and an excellent O line with, at least a serviceable QB, would get almost any fan base excited – especially if it was built off of a SB win. I admit Jints fans have been fickle w/ Eli, which is unfortunate.
Philadelphia Eagles: League Champions in ’48, ’49, & ’60. Thusly, hardware is present!
Philly can’t help it that the league re-structured to this “watered down” Super Bowl era.
Plus Philly is the ONLY team, EVER, to beat a Lombardi coached team in the playoffs.
Just sayin’! Can’t wait until next Sunday night…better get your popcorn ready!
Bavaro,
Nobody talks more crap than Eagles fans? Please refer back to any NFC east story on this site over the past three seasons and note how much crap Mr. Veritas talks – at least in the weeks his team hasn’t been demolished. Follow that with his loser pals, Hap and Chapnasty and various others over the years, and you may want to re-evaluate your original statement.
Giants fans sop your wining take this loss and grow from it. The Eagles did that with the loos to the Raiders. Even though I am a die hard Eagle fan it is only 1 win impressive as it was only 1 win. We need to show some consistency to prove our selves and a win over the cowgirls is a step in that direction. I would agree with rick but I think TO took the popcorn with him to Buffalo Go Eagles
Please stop the comments about the Giants and Their Injuries. Remember, the Eagles also have a lot of injuries too.
To name a few, Stew Bradley: middle LB lost for the year, Omar Gaither: another LB, lost for the year. Kevin Curtis, Shaun Andrews, Victor Abiramiri, Macho Harris, and the Big Injury for the Giants/Eagles games. The Giant Killer himself, BRIAN WESTBROOK.
So stop with the injury talk, the Eagles had it bad too. Face it, the Eagles just beat you in every phase of the game.
The only thing you have to look into Florio is I think the Cowboys have 5 prime time games before week 17. Which you know is the limit per year. I know the Eagles only have 4 so they would be ok for the Flex game. But you should check to see if the cowboys are eligible. That was the problem last year. The cowboys already had there 5 games so they couldnt flex out the week 17 Eagles vs Cowboys game that decided the last wild card spot in the NFC.
McNabb is a #2 overall pick that has only lost NFC Championships that he should have won(Bucs & Cards). Romo is an UNDRAFTED QB that is outplaying his status and has years to improve and do what McNabb can’t and won’t do. Dallas has lost 2 games by 9 pts. Eagz blown out by Saints and couldn’t score a TD in loss to Raiders. Eagz have much to do before they are in Dallas class as an organization. Please stick with McNabb and Reid! We see what that’s done the last ten years. Your #2 pick(McNabb) just keeps losing the biggest games. Our QB, starting his 3rd year has many years to improve on what McNabb and Eagles couldn’t do. Win a Super Bowl Eagles fans, til then…Shut Up!
BigD5….
What have u cheered for during the last 10 Januarys?
Nothing
And while Romo is qb that trend will continue
san diego’s defense last year under COTTRELL a man a complete failure at every position he had in the nfl with any team, FIRED HIM AT THE BYE WEEK and chargers defense rapidly improved the rest of the way even upsetting colts AGAIN in playoffs last season.
THEY WOULD NEVER HAD EVEN GOT CLOSE TO THE PLAYOFFS IF THEY KEPT COTTRELL!
Giants players obviously have no respect for sheridan and it’s been evident right from that Chicago preseason game!
This season is far from over if he is fired now! It is over if sheridan who is nothing more than pretending he is running the defense remains there. Coiughlin is running the defense, Coughlin is running the offense. COUGHLIN IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN A CONTROL FREAK!
Somethings have floated beneath the radar:
1- Tynes missed another FG though I blame Coughlin for even going for it at that precise time and score of that game and not going for the first down.
and
2- who in hell is coaching the special teams now- ANOTHER TOTAL INCOMPETANT!
UNLESS
This team has indeed quit on the coaching staff and their old old ways of thinking!
BigD5….
What have u cheered for during the last 10 Januarys?
Nothing
And while Romo is qb that trend will continue
I’ve cheered for Mcnabb and Eagles to keep losing NFC Championships that they should have won..For them to keep underachieving…For Mcnabb to get benched…I’ve cheered for the Eagz not to win the Super Bowl and for Mcnabb to keep failing..Know what? It’s worked!!!
I hear a lot off complaints about the Giants D being injured. People seem to forget that the starting MLB for the Eagles Stewart Bradley was out for the year since training camp. Not to mention Shawn Andrews, at one point one of the most dominant lineman, is out for the year as well. In fact, on opening day 2/5 of the line were projected starters. Yet the Eagles looks like they’re in pretty good shape right now.The Eagles demolished the Giants even without Brian Westbrook.
My point is, you can’t blame injuries for the inability to execute. Sure, Kenny Phillips was a major loss for the Giants. But good football teams manage to win games despite injuries to key players. They might have to adjust their schemes to more blitzes with CC Brown, who is a very aggressive (at times, overly agressive) safety but not a good pass defender. They might need to sign veterans. But one way or another, they need to fix this if they want a legitimate shot at winning the NFC East. It remains to be seen whether the Giants can bounce back from these poor performances. Once the Giants get everything clicking, they are a very dangerous team.
“I’ve cheered for Mcnabb and Eagles to keep losing NFC Championships that they should have won..For them to keep underachieving…For Mcnabb to get benched…I’ve cheered for the Eagz not to win the Super Bowl and for Mcnabb to keep failing..Know what? It’s worked!!!”
And this is the difference between Eagles and Cowboys fans. Eagles fans cheer for their team in the playoffs. Cowboys fans cheer for some other team to lose… because nobody cares if Tony Romo loses a game of Madden while he’s sitting on his couch in January!
“And this is the difference between Eagles and Cowboys fans. Eagles fans cheer for their team in the playoffs. Cowboys fans cheer for some other team to lose… because nobody cares if Tony Romo loses a game of Madden while he’s sitting on his couch in January!”
I’ve done too much cheering in January over my lifetime…Sure, Dallas has been down….But yet so has the Eagles…You mean to tell me that you enjoy the feeling of losing 5 of 8 NFC Championships, 3 in a row and never winning a Super Bowl? I and YOU have watched Dallas win many Super Bowls in my life. the difference between Cowboys fans and Eagles fans is that Cowboys fans know the feeling of winning the ultimate prize and Eagle fans know the feeling of losing it…again and again.
When Dallas won 3 out of 4 Super Bowls in the 90′s, watching football was different for me…Like, wow? This isn’t even a challenge anymore because Dallas keeps rolling through everyone to another title. Pretty funny that every team in the NFC East has a title except the Eagles. Cheering for another team to lose? Seems McNabb could’ve joined Romo on the couch for the last few Februarys. If you don’t win it all…what does it matter? Let the Eagz #2 overall pick keep choking/puking his chance away. Undrafted Romo, from Eastern Illinois has years to make good on what McNabb hasn’t been able to do in his time. Romo will win a ring, McNabb had his chance…Likely to be benched AGAIN in place of winning a ring.