(Long Island, NY) No one said that it was going to be easy. As soon as the NFL schedules were released, the first three games for the New York Giants stood out. Kicking off the season against the offensive powerhouse Indianapolis Colts. Going on the road to face their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. And then going cross-country for a rematch against the defending NFC champions, the Seattle Seahawks.
The problem is not that the Giants’ record stands at 1-2 heading into a much-needed bye week. A tough road against quality competition will do that to a team. But barring a few breaks that didn’t go their way in the Eagle game, the ‘Jints can easily be 0-3.
In the opening game, the Giants secondary dropped a few sure interceptions that would have made big brother Peyton Manning’s night much worse. An offensive pass interference call did not help the Giants’ cause. But one play (or call) does not make an entire game.
Eli Manning had a bad game in Seattle. There’s no way to sugar-coat that. Three interceptions will not get it done. Even though he threw three touchdowns in garbage time, the game was out of reach. But Manning was not the only one to have a rough day in the Pacific North West. Plaxico Burress followed up his big overtime winning touchdown reception in Philadelphia with an invisible day. He only had one reception for 23 yards, and one fumble. Tiki Barber was taken out of the game early when the Giants fell behind 42-3 after three quarters. He finished with 64 yards on 14 carries.
The Giants were only two for nine on third down efficiency as compared to Seattle’s 10 for 16. That’s a big difference. Seattle also ran 74 offensive plays to the Giants’ 52. Looking at the penalties, the Giants’ committed eight (63 yards) in comparison to the Seahawks’ four (22 yards). These numbers don’t lie. This was a total domination by Seattle, and the Giants’ came undone early. This was a far cry from the close loss out there last season, when missed field goals were the problem.
A major problem coming out of the game was the Giant bench openly arguing during the game and the comments by Jeremy Shockey in the locker room following the debacle. By Shockey stating that his team was outplayed and out coached, he was taking a shot at Head Coach Tom Coughlin. This can cause further dissention on a team that appears fragile before October even rolls around.
It is still early enough where the Giants can rebound and get back on the right track. Their division, which was picked in the pre-season as one of the best, seems a bit overrated at this stage of the season. The Giants face the Washington Redskins in their next game at home. They can right the ship quickly against a weak opponent that they should be able to handle. The jury is still out on the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. The best thing for the Giants to do is to take it one game at a time. They won their division last season, and there is no reason to think that they will not do it again. Slow start and all, they have the most talent and should be able to find their winning ways.
