One of the All Time Greatest Games

I've been watching Giants football since the 1950's and I believe the Giants' defeat of the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago was one of the greatest games in Giants' history. A nationally televised Monday night game, in Dallas, with the Cowboys season on the line. The Giants receive the opening kickoff and Manning throws two interceptions on the first two drives resulting in a stunningly quick 10-0 Dallas lead 6 minutes into the game.

Little did the millions of viewers know the game was over at that point. By half time the score was 24-20 Giants and Tony Romo had been knocked out of the game. The Giants totally dominated and literally ripped the throats out of the Cowboys, their owner, and their fans. All this despite 5 Giant turnovers together with a 93 yard Dallas punt return for a touchdown. The 41-35 final score, the result of two "garbage time" touchdowns during the last 5 minutes of the game, made it appear closer than it really was. It was not a close game. Dallas was physically, statistically, and emotionally dominated in every conceivable manner starting the moment the Giants took the field down 10-0.

It was a thrilling game and put a dagger into the heart of the most arrogant franchise in sports history. Few things in life could be much sweeter.

One would be the continued great play by the Giants themselves. They find themselves ranked 2nd in the league in overall defense and 3rd in overall offense. The defense is having a monster year shutting down the run and getting after the QB. And on the other side of the ball, Bradshaw was leading the league in rushing when the gun sounded Monday night while Jacobs has averaged over 5 yards a carry during the four game winning streak. Meanwhile, the passing game is almost unstoppable - except for that one Achilles heel - the 11 interceptions, 7 of which were tipped balls.

Suddenly the schedule no longer appears so daunting. Barring a major injury, the Giants should be favored in every game the rest of the year. They are unlikely to win them all, but which 2 or 3 they lose will, more likely than not, simply be a function of statistics than talent. At this point in their season, they need to stay healthy, correct the turnover issue, and focus on refining their play and carrying momentum into the post season. That may sound a bit brash, but what their play speaks for itself against some very good talent. There are only two things that will derail this train, neither of which is another NFC opponent: injuries or their own mistakes.

This afternoon they travel to Seattle where they last won almost 30 years ago in 1981. Seattle is a perfect 3-0 at home this year. But that is clearly a misleading statistic. They are suffering major injuries on both sides of the ball. Their QB is about to start the first game of his eight year NFL career. The Giants should dominate but they will need to start winning the turnover battles and tightening up their kickoff and punt coverage teams - and there is no better time to begin than this afternoon.