Week 17: Giants vs Eagles

Well, they finally won. After two games of getting treated like a cow being lowered into a Velociraptor cage, ala Jurassic Park, they finally got their act together just in time to get bounced from the playoffs.

I smell burgers.

Talk about too little too late. I know the Eagles aren't anywhere near as good as the Falcons or Ravens, but the Giants looked sharp.

Here is the recap to a now pointless game.

First Quarter:
The Giants were set to receive the ball for the start of the game. They were caught by surprise when the Eagles kicked and recovered an onside kick. Last game of the season, can't hold anything back.
However, they gave up the ball after a few plays with an interception by the reliable Stevie Brown.
The Giants didn't squander away that opportunity and Eli threw a touchdown pass to Rueben Randle.
The Eagles gave the ball right back on a three and out, and the Giants scored again with another Randle touchdown.
After another Philly three and out, the Giants score again but this time with a David Wilson catch.
Score: Giants 21-Eagles 0

Second Quarter:
Philly got their only points of the game early in the second quarter with a Mike Vick pass to Jeremy Maclin.
After a long, ten play drive, Bradshaw punched the ball into the endzone with a one yard run.
After a missed Philly field goal, a Giants' punt, and an Eagles' turnover on downs, the Giants scored another touchdown. This time, it was a pass to Victor Cruz.
Score: Giants 35-Eagles 7

It's a dancing Hynocerous!

Third Quarter:
There was no scoring. So I'm fast forwarding...

Fourth Quarter:
To cap off a sixteen play drive,  Eli Manning completes a one yard pass to the Hynocerous, Henry Hynoski. And Hynoski showed the world his Hynocerous dance.
After that dance, both teams sent in the backups and the Giants ended the season on a good note.
Final Score: Giants 42-Eagles 7

Despite winning in dominant fashion on Sunday, the Giants were still eliminated from the playoffs by both the Bears and the Vikings. But that's what happens when you crap all over yourself two weeks in a row. They played themselves out of a repeat, or as I would have called it, a "G-Peat". I'm telling you that would have stuck.

Eli had a career-high, five touchdown pass game. There were no "oopsie" throws, no Eli face, and no "What the hecks!?" It was him flinging around the pigskin like he should have been doing all year.

This goes for the entire Giants team. They played inspired football. Even if it didn't get them in the playoffs, it was good to see that they didn't roll over and die.

Plus, it was a nice send off for Andy Reid. Knowing that his last game as an Eagle before he goes waddling off somewhere was a blowout takes away some of the sting of missing the playoffs.

So what have I learned?

After winning the Super Bowl last year, not even making the playoffs is a real punch to the gut. Knowing that I won't see another live Giants game until August feels like I started a fight at the Double Deuce, and Swayze just kicked my ass.

"Roadhouse!"

Here's the Giants off-season regiment.

I think this season will be a wake-up call for the Giants. They lost the eye of the tiger. They were soft and unmotivated. This off-season, they will reflect, get healthy, rebuild a bit, and grow a pair.

Getting healthy is the main part of it. Hakeem Nicks was banged up the entire season, which hurt the offense in a big way. Ahmad Bradshaw was a weekly game-time decision. Justin Tuck was the lemon of the NASCAR package this season.

Here's what it boils down to: it's very difficult to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Plus, with the Giants winning two of them in a five year span makes it hard to be that upset. Having said that, there is a standard that Giant fans expect from their team. Hopefully next year the Giants will meet that standard.