So I, and all of my colleagues, wrote in today's papers that the Giants still control their own playoff fate... Er, not exactly.
There is a scenario in which a 9-7 Giants team misses the playoffs: The Cowboys lose to the Eagles and beat the Lions, the Eagles lose to the Falcons in the season finale with the Falcons having already beaten the Panthers. That would leave the Giants, Falcons and Eagles at 9-7. NFL rules say that a three-way tie with two teams in the same division must have the divisional tie broken first; the Eagles would have the better divisional record, so the Giants would be left out.
The Falcons would get the No. 5 seed by virture of having beaten the Eagles, and the Eagles would get the No. 6 seed.
Got it?
Of course, there are other scenarios, one of which does include the 7-9 Giants getting the last playoff spot... But it's very complicated. And, as Plaxico Burress noted after yesterday's game, none of it matters if the Giants can't take care of business.
And boy, did they ever not take care of business yesterday. Four turnovers, a couple costly penalties, paper-thin run defense and very tentative red-zone offense... Not exactly a team ready for crunch time.
A few thoughts:
-- How could the Giants be so physically overmatched in the two first-and-goal situations that ended in FGs? Tiki Barber didn't get two steps before he had Eagles draped on him. That would've happened to Brandon Jacobs too -- TC said today that Jacobs had a sore ankle, which kept him on the sidelines for two quarters after his fumble -- so it wasn't really the personnel. Just being physically unprepared, it seemed.
-- I'd ask the same question of the D-line. The Eagles did what they wanted, run or pass; Brian Westbrook got open on crossing routes an awful lot, which should make Reggie Bush's mouth water for this Sunday. The Giants simply could not get a consistent pass rush on Jeff Garcia, nor could they out-physical the Eagles O-line, which hasn't happened often this season.
TC said today that Michael Strahan asked to suit up on Sunday morning, but was turned down. Think No. 92 could have helped shore up that run defense, among other things?
The coach did say that he hoped this would be the week Strahan could get a full week of practice in before the staff could make a real decision on him playing.
Comments (8)
I have always been a strong supporter of Coach Coughlin and his staff. Early in the season when many were looking for his head on a stick, I was urging patience.
However, after seeing such a talented team play so poorly and look so unprepared, I can think of no one else to blame but the coach. Sure there are a lot of egos on the team, but it is the coaches job to keep them in check and prepare the team to do its job. Yes, I know there have been many injuries that have contributed, but I don't think that should be an excuse.
At the very least I think the Giants should be looking for a new offensive and defensive coach for next season.
So if the Giants, Eagles, and Falcons all finish 9-7, the NYG win over ATL is completely disregarded?
Wouldn't it make more sense for the division to be settled first - so Philadelphia leaves the mix and is in as the 5 seed - and then the Giants and Falcons are left standing around? So NYG gets in as the #6 by virtue of their win over ATL?
Has anyone else noticed these little repeated occurrences during the year:
1) 2nd and long = A Tiki run up the middle for a loss or no gain
2) Most Giant scores are answered by an 80+ yd drive by the opposing team.
3) An Eli toss at the opposing line's headgear about once a game.
4) A Giant defender thumping his chest after making a play and then getting burned or out of position on the next big play.
5) The Giant team with their mouth's shut and playing hard-nose, smart football.
OK I was back in the 80's for the last one.
Arthur - I was playing GM in my head last night... Looking @ 2007 - What does this team need? Here is my list (No particular order):
#1 Charlie Weis: A cool-headed game coach. A tough, no-nonsense personality. A good developer of young QBs.
#2 Another starting OLB. Someone physical. (Lavar can't be counted on. Emmons must go.)
#3 Another good DT. (Robbins and Coefield are fine to start).
#4 Running Back: Speed back to play with Jacobs.
#5 Another quality CB.
#6 Someone to replace Whitfield (I'm assuming he retires)
#7 Another WR (I'm assuming Toomer will never be the same)
The main thing though: THERE IS NOT MUCH MISSING FORM THIS TEAM!!! ITS BETTER THAN MANY TEAMS THAT ARE 100% HEADED TO THE PLAYOFFS. SO... ITS COUGHLIN!!!!! HE MUST GO!
So after the division tiebreaks are set, the Giants would be eliminated from Wild Card contention?
It would seem to me that if you had NYG, PHI, and ATL at 9-7, the Eagles would be in because of their divisional standing over the Giants. Then, the Giants and Falcons would square off for the tiebreaking issue.
Forget the playoffs - the Giants don't deserve to be there. They are a bad, bad team.
Fire Coughlin. Now.
I would have to agree that this is a poorly-coached team. Too many players out of position, too many strange play calls, too many stupid things like the 108-yard field goal return by Devin Hester. I don't put all of that on Coughlin, but I also believe some new blood is needed on the coaching staff.
The Giants WERE out- coached, while I am a Fan of Coughlin, these other assistant coaches need to skip town NOW!!!
Tim Lewis' game plan not only sunday but half the season was woefully bad. Do we simply not have the personnal on defense despite the injuries..all I know is YOU DON'T SIT BACK ANY LONGER IN THIS LEAGUE..you get after the QB!!!