How Sweet It Is

Going into the game, the Giants knew they couldn't win a shoot out with Dallas. They needed long time consuming drives to eat the clock and limit the number of Dallas possessions. And that's just what happened. Two monster 14 and 20 plays drives that consumed 18:35 minutes of the game. That it wasn't the Giants consuming the clock just misses the point. The Giants defense took away the big play and forced Dallas into the type of game they didn't want to play. Those two drives almost guaranteed this wasn't going to be another shoot out like the first two games.

Meanwhile the Giants three scoring drives took 6 plays in 3:10, 7 plays in 0:46, and 6 plays in 2:24. The 46 second drive to end the first half knotted at 14 was all Manning at his very best. I've never believed individual statistics are particularly enlightening in the world of football, especially the QB rating. But in this instance Eli's 100+ QB rating for three straight games is huge. Eli Manning is standing tall when it counts.

And it isn't only Manning who is "stepping up". Webster has turned his game around. Smith has been a huge contributor in the two playoff games. As has Boss. We all know about Bradshaw. And it isn't just the young guys. McQuarters played a huge game. Strahan, Osi, Tuck and Pierce got pressure on Romo. And Toomer may very well deserve MVP thus far in the playoffs. And have you noticed when Whimper has been inserted into the line up over the past month? Maybe not because it has been a silent smooth transition when he's been forced onto the field. Whimper is ready folks. Watch for him next year.

Playing as they are as underdogs the past three games, I truly believe this Giants team has tremendous togetherness and momentum that has changed the dynamics of this playoff season. You can bet NE is silently praying Green Bay wins on Sunday.

Oh, and by the way, I am smiling broadly when I think of Tiki Barber. How sweet it is. Just icing on the cake to this fan.