The reality is, it is a long season. After all the dust settled and the shock of the last three games started to fade, the realization that the Giants are 5-3 and still in good shape is starting to sink in. 5-3 to this point, and 2-1 in the Division with a win over the Cowboys on the road, is actually a good start. Looking back at the teams played this season, a win at New Orleans, be it by the Giants or any other team in the NFL, looks to be a difficult proposition. A few tough games seemed obvious at the start of the season, and the games against the Defending NFC Champs and Philadelphia on the road, certainly looked to be two of them.
The bye week is still a week away and the San Diego contest, a game that under most circumstances would mean very little, now seems to be very significant. Wins, even those over AFC opponents, would appear to be more precious this season than last. The Giants’ recent play, current health, and performance of the NFC East rivals makes this game more important, but there is still a long way to go.
The Giants need to regroup. Whether or not they can do that this week, over the bye week, or even in a month remains to be seen, but they do have time. I could go into all the specifics – Eli’s accuracy, big plays given up by the Defense, injuries…..- but the real issue may be something some fans started to notice last week.
The loss to New Orleans seemed like an aberration. The defeat to the Cards was easily dismissed. Mistakes were made that were correctable, they just blew it. But maybe the Giants play is different, because they are different. It is the doubt in their eyes, the lack of confidence in their body language, the “oh no, not again” expressions on their faces in Philly. They appeared complacent. Maybe the 5-0 start made them think they were better than they were. Philly wasn’t the same type of loss as the first two. It was different. It was embarrassing, and maybe that’s what this team needed.
The Eagles aren’t just any team in the NFL. They are the team that brought the reality check that ended last season where the Giants seemed headed for back-to-back Superbowl appearances. They know how to play the Giants, and they know how to beat them, when it matters. I think if the Giants come out of the funk they are in and are able to have some success going forward and make the playoffs, we will look back at this game as the game where the individuals became a team again. It will be the slap in the face that will make the team insist that this season won’t end like the last one.
Of course, the game could also be remembered as the one where the Giants season started to fall apart. I don’t know which direction this team is going but I have my suspicions. Now is the time for guys in that locker room to step up and drag this team to a win over San Diego. Maybe it will be Peirce and Eli and Umenyiora. Maybe it will be no one. That’s my fear. I don’t see this as an Xs and Os issue. It’s about heart. If the Giants have it, the time to show it is now.
