Giants Stumble Amongst Whirling Winds

The Giants couldn't deal with the variety of winds whirling around Giants stadium last Sunday - from the windstorm left in the wake of Plaxico Burress shooting himself - to the actual winds blowing in the stadium itself. By the end of the day the Giants were no longer the highest scoring offense in the NFL. Blame the offense if you want – after all, the NFL’s top scoring offense was essentially shut out, scoring its only points in garbage time (a TD with 15 seconds left) in the 20-14 loss to the Birds. But it was the Giants vaunted defense that was responsible for this loss. The Eagles converted on 9 of 13 third downs. There was no pass rush. And they couldn't stop Brian Westbrook all day - on the ground or in the air. Bottom line – the Eagles dominated the time of possession and the tone of the game. As a result the Giants offense had a very low number of possessions.

Yes, there were some missed opportunities such as Hixon's drop on a wide open monster down field pass. But the Giants success this season has been ball control - starting with the defense getting the ball to the offense, whether by three and outs or turnovers. There are two common themes to the only two times the Giants have lost a game thus far in 2008: the inability of the Giants defense to get off the field. Against Cleveland they had a stunning zero percent success rate - they failed to stop Cleveland even once - not one single turnover or punt. While the game against the Eagles wasn't as bad, the result was the same. The difference, this time, was that with limited possessions there wasn't any room for misfires such as Hixon's drop. Add in the wind which allowed the Eagles to load up against the run, and the result was almost ordained.

So, in my mind, the loss had nothing to do with Plaxico Burress. Indeed I wish it did - that would be more understandable and less disconcerting. What was perhaps most distressing is the total failure of the Giants to stop the run. You can't win games in this league if you can't stop the run. The Giants offense has been proving that in virtually every game all year long. The Giants defense provided further evidence last week. Stopping the run doesn't mean you will win - but failure to stop the run almost surely means you will lose.

Tonight the Giants travel to Dallas to play the most arrogant franchise in sports history. I don't tend to get emotional about other teams, but I must admit to a weakness when it comes to the Cowboys - a hatred for a franchise I developed in the 1970's and which has never lessened. Humility, a very positive character trait, has never been a word associated with this franchise - from its owners to every one of its players. I detest everything about them. I don't see much hope of the Giants prevailing tonight - and frankly next week's game carries far more importance - but I can't think of anything more satisfying than helping push this teetering franchise over the cliff into complete disarray with a victory tonight.