Week 13: Giants vs Packers

"I think they'll be competitive." I said this about this before Sunday, before they went toe to toe with the best team in the NFL. But to be perfectly honest, I didn't think it would be that close or exciting, and I also said the same about the Giants/Saints game. I never said I knew what I was talking about.

The Giants did catch some tough breaks and made some bad mistakes. Eli chucked a vintage "Eli pick" which was housed. Will Blackmon, CB #36 (I had to look him up), got smoked by Jordy Nelson so much that after the game he was found eating Funyuns and watching Super Troopers. Everybody standing there like a bunch of goons after Eli's fumble. Also, I'm not sure if the Packers drive with a minute left was more of the defense falling flat or if it was Rodgers being Rodgers. Either way it was tough to watch.



I ain't readin no pamphlet. I gotta chick who's DTF!

 I could also go off on the officiating but that's about as useless and providing safe sex pamphlets for the Jersey Shore house. The calls were technically right, but some of them were Downey soft and wouldn't be called in most games. Some were just bad calls. I still think Jennings never had possession of that touchdown catch. But a perfect team coming off of a Super Bowl season will get those calls.

Now let's focus on the positive. There is no such thing as a good loss, but this was as good as it gets. The entire team was energized and they all put together their best effort (last drive is still under review). It looks like the Giant team that I know and love. A tough, physical team who delivers punches just as well as they absorb them. I'd even venture to say the fact that the Giants loss will most likely keep them hungry and prevent them from becoming complacent.

The most menacing sack celebration.

The D-Line was shot out of a cannon and hitting Rodgers whenever they could. JP2 unleashed the beast and was all over the field hitting people. Seeing Tuck make plays including a sack was incredible. But It wasn't as good as seeing the Tollefson spin kick into the Discount Double Check. And that wasn't as good as seeing Chase Blackburn back in a Giant's uniform and making a huge interception which led to a touchdown. Welcome back, Chase.

Eli was solid as usual. He had one terrible read which was very costly, but threw for 347 yds with 3 TDs. Nicks with his 1st basemen glove like hands reemerged as a dominant receiver. He had full awareness of where the sidelines were and made some great And 1 Mix Tape catches. Bradshaw came back, played good football and contributed to their first 100 yd rushing game since week 9 against New England (Their last win. Coincidence?). Eli was also protected well for most of the game. Mitch Petrus, who filled in at left guard while Kevin Boothe moved to center to fill in for Davis Baas, deserves some recognition for stepping up and playing well on the Giant's O-Line.

So here is what I learned from this game: This game inspired the Giants and gave them a much, much needed confidence boost. They showed us, and more importantly themselves, how good they can play.

Also, thanks to the Falcons, Bears, Lions and Cowboys, they didn't lose any ground.

If they go into Jerry-atric World and play how they played against the Packers, they'll come back with a win. And if they keep that momentum going, they could very well run the table. They just can't soften up. I don't care how they do it (might I suggest watching 300 after every practice) but they need to keep their edge. With how well they played on Sunday their toughest opponent might be themselves.