One week at a time, please…
By SuperFan
After week two, I can conclude two things: the Giants are the most mistake-free team in the NFC East so far (knock on wood), and NFL analysts have very selective memories. I’m hearing a whole lot of sports talk lately about how the Jaguars are down-and-out because they lost their first two games, Gerrard has thrown as many interceptions (3) as he did all last season. and the Patriots are all but finished because Brady went down. First of all, the Jaguars played a lot better in their first two losses than the Giants did last year, and we went on to win the Super Bowl. Three interceptions in two games isn’t great, but did anyone really think Gerrard was only going to throw three all season again? And, lastly, of all the teams in the NFL, wouldn’t the Patriots be the last for people to assume can fall apart because of one significant injury? They still have an incredible team, all Cassel has to do is follow Belichick’s orders. EACH TEAM HAS ONLY PLAYED TWO GAMES, PEOPLE! STOP TRYING TO PREDICT HOW THE SEASON WILL PLAY OUT EVERY WEEK BY THE MOST RECENT PERFORMANCE! The season needs simply to play out. Let it be. Seriously, it doesn’t matter that only so-and-so percent of teams who’ve started their seasons 0-3, with their first game at home, the second on the road, and the third back at home, since 1974, have gone on to win the Super Bowl. Yes, I made that all up. But doesn’t it still sound like something you’d hear next week on NFL Live? Ridiculous. Anyway, back to the G-Men…
Is it just me, or does everyone else feel really different while watching the Giants this season? Each time they walk up to the line of scrimmage, both offensively and defensively, there’s a new confidence and swagger that I haven’t seen in a long, long time. The players and coaches look like they fully recognize how great this team is capable of being, and carry themselves the way the defending Super Bowl champions ought to. This feels like it could be another special season (that’s not an analysis or a prediction, just a feeling).
I discovered last Sunday that superstition is superb, whether my roommate will admit it or not. He was still asleep (hence NOT ON THE COUCH) when the Giants scored their first touchdown bright and early Sunday morning, West Coast time, of course. That’s another thing I’ll never get used to. NFL football games starting at 10 am. What’s up with that? It’s a good thing the game was on locally, because I couldn’t see myself going into a bar at 10 am on a Sunday, even to watch football. Anyway, they G-Men stalled a bit in the second quarter, when Ryan was awake and on the couch. At the beginning of the second half, he ran out for a late breakfast, and he Giants scored. Then, when he left to run errands in the fourth quarter, the points just kept building. Ryan, you’re an awesome guy and an even better roommate, but when the Giants are on offense, I may very well want NOTHING to do with you as a couch observer.
Looking at the state of the NFC East, it is safe to say that after two weeks of football, the Giants are the only team to play two complete games so far. Yes, I understand their opponents were both rather weak, but it’s not like they can help it. We can only play the teams on our schedule each week. Some fans are saying those 13 points were even too many to give up to a lowly Rams offense. Listen, that kicker made two 54-yard field goals. Nothing the defense could do about that.
By the way, only Ron Jaworski would compare a simple week-two potential game-winning drive for the Eagles to Eli Manning driving the field for one of the most miraculous Super Bowl upsets of all time. You wish, Jaws. In that very same telecast, Tony Kornheiser, in my opinion arguably the greatest play-by-play guy in the history of sports television (clear throat), had the nerve to say that the Cowboys, especially their blue star, had become more popular and recognizable in the world of sports than the Yankees. Right. Because there are so many kids in Japan sporting fresh, fitted Cowboy hats, and none sporting the vintage “blue Yankee fitted.” Tony, you totally get it.
This has nothing much to do with anything, but what the hell am I supposed to do with my “NFC Champions” t-shirt? Now that they’ve won the Super Bowl, it only seems half-true and not even worth wearing. I mean, why wear that when I can just wear the “Super Bowl Champions” t-shirt? I guess the shirts only have value for more than a week if your team loses the Super Bowl. After that, I suppose they might best be suited as a smock.
Numerous tangents aside, I’m feeling really good if I’m a Giants fan right now. Our defense is playing like one of the best in the league. Eli’s spreading the ball around and going deep a little more often. Our star-studded backfield finally released the change-up, and he jumped right out with two TDs. Nicely done, Ahmad. Now we look ahead to Cincinnati, and if we keep playing the way we’re playing, it could be yet another step to the start of a magical season (that too was not a prediction – just a possibility, relying on certain factors remaining equal).
Lastly, I would love to hear from you fans. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at gmensuperfan@gmail.com. Go big blue!
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