Superfan: Giants vs. Cowboys UNCUT (1/15/08)

I Really Hope I Don’t Wake Up Soon… by Blue-Blooded

The scenario: 2 buddies at a bar in North Jersey. It’s December 17, 2007, the Monday night after the Giants’ gut-wrenching Sunday night loss at home to the rival Washington Redskins…

Guy 1: “That’s it, man. Season over. Eli sucks! There’s no way a guy like that can lead us anywhere, even if we make the playoffs!”

Guy 2: “Don’t worry. Just you watch – the Giants will not only make the playoffs, but tear into it after a crazy game against the Patriots in which they almost beat them, and Eli throws 4 touchdown passes. You know that guy returning kicks for us? Something Bradshaw? He’s gonna wind up being one of the largest contributors in our run to the playoffs out of the backfield. Then, next thing you know, Eli’s gonna win two straight playoff games on the road, while throwing NO interceptions. Then, BAM, we’re in the NFC championship game, just like that.”

Guy 1 says nothing. He just sits there, staring. Then, slowly, he stands up, looks at Guy 2, shakes his head, smacks him upside the face, and walks out of the bar.

Sounds about right. If someone were to tell me a month or so ago that we’d be in the situation we’re in now, while looking as good as we are, I’d have recommended they seek professional help.
But, well, HOW ‘BOUT THEM G-MEN?!? I thought it was going to be a long time before I could have this much fun as a Giants fan again. I mean, taking down a team with the #1 ranked defense in the league on the road in the first round was great, but the Cowboys?? In Irving?? The great thing about beating a team like Dallas in their home stadium is that when you win, Jerry Jones is moping around right there on the field. If that doesn’t motivate a defense, I don’t know what does. Great camera work at the end of the game, FOX. As if all that wasn’t enough, T.O. finally gave the popcorn-worthy performance we’ve all been waiting for this season. We all just didn’t realize it was going to take place at the post-game press conference.

And the Academy Award for best male crybaby in a sympathetic role goes to…

Seriously, you’d think he was planning to ask Romo to move in with him and help decorate the upstairs bathroom. Man up! Romo isn’t crying. Clearly, this isn’t affecting him as much as it’s affecting you. No one’s even accused him of anything, yet. I’m pretty sure most everyone understands that his little “hiatus” had nothing to do with the fact that the Giants D-line was in the backfield nearly every play of the second half.
I don’t think the Cowboys felt they’d have to contend with such a productive Giants offense. Let’s think about it: the Cowboys just pulled off an incredible 20-play, ten-plus-minute drive to pull ahead 14-7 with LESS THAN A MINUTE remaining in the half. All was well for America’s team, they’d go into the locker at halftime with the lead, and get to start the second half with the ball to try and add on to it. Then, with 47 seconds left, Eli and the Giants pull off a seven-play scoring drive to completely negate what the Cowboys had just spent so much time and effort doing. All of a sudden, Romo and the ‘Boys were reassured that this was NOT the same Giants team they faced twice in the regular season. This was not the quarterback who was unsure of himself, who doubted himself, who forced passes, who would never mature into the quarterback everyone expected him to be. This was not the secondary that would give up on routes and get mixed up in coverage. This was a contender. These guys were the real deal, not some hurdle on the way to a Super Bowl run. This was not the game to give extra NFC championship game tickets to your players beforehand, Jerry. And now you know.
The only negative I’m taking away from this whole experience is that we have to watch them play on FOX again this weekend, therefore having to listen to Troy Aikman help call the game again. I understand he used to play for the Cowboys, but Troy, you’re a professional. Act like it, you homer. Every time a call went against the Cowboys, or a call wasn’t made against the Giants, Troy was complaining about it. Which I suppose made it that much sweeter when we won, but still. It was like I was listening to the game on a Dallas radio station. And you know he’ll be pulling for the Packers next week, because no one at FOX wants Brett Favre to not be playing in the Super Bowl they’re airing. Let’s just hope all the guys keep picking against the Giants in the pre-game show. It’s a system that’s been working well for us so far.
As for the gameday system, well, it’s obviously still working. All the familiar faces were back at my house to watch the game. I had a constant flow of iced diet soda flowing in and out of my body throughout. Robby went back to school, so the jersey went back on the dog. My buddy once again made the one-day trip from Delaware for the sole purpose of watching the game.
Yet, even though we won again, my dad still seems to need convincing for next weekend. He’s been thinking about going to Green Bay to watch the Giants play this Sunday, but I’m not letting him. If he wants the Giants to have a shot at going to the Super Bowl, he’ll have to make the sacrifice and stay home for this one. Same room, same seat. DON’T MESS WITH THE SYSTEM WHEN IT WORKS!
Some people seem to be worried about the cold weather expected for Sunday’s game in Green Bay. I’m looking forward to it. Honestly, the game there last weekend looked like a lot of fun. And who doesn’t want to watch an NFC championship game in the cold, frigid, snow-covered frozen tundra? (grrrrrr…) It’s the epitome of playoff football. It’s the kind of conditions you dream about playing in as a kid in your backyard (if you live up north). Plus, it’ll help take away their deep threat (Ryan Grant is another issue). And Brandon Jacobs will simply go from a steamroller to a snow-plow.
This is it, baby! One more win! Let’s go stun-and-silence one more home crowd and head to Arizona. This is our year, I’m really feeling it now. It’s time to go make it happen!