Giants 24, Patriots 20. What a game, what a win, and what a nice 6-2 start. And can the Giants play the Patriots every year? The Giants keep winning close games, and give fans blood pressure tests in the process.
I try not to put too much into one game, win or lose, but with all the injuries, this was really a character-building type win. It wasn't perfect, but like the other 5 wins the Giants had banked against lesser opponents earlier in the year, they did what it took to get the W. The (depleted) secondary had their hands full but for the most part kept a top tier passing attack bottled up. The fumble by Ross on the punt return hurt, but the Giants didn't quit when they had seemingly lost all momentum. Jacobs ran like the Jacobs of old - and like he should have been running all along. Eli Manning continues to play like an elite QB...as one NJ.com commentor wrote, "I wonder if Tom Brady thinks he is in Eli's class?" Ramses Barden looks to belong, and Jake Ballard and Victor Cruz continue to prove they do. And the Pats had a 20 game home winning streak coming into the game. Again, the Giants seem to be pretty good at ending Patriots streaks.
As my friend Matt often points out, the Giants played to the level of their competition. Another theme to come from this win, is I am no longer afraid. Firstly with regards to anyone getting injured - with the only exception being Manning. This team really has a "next man up" quality to it. I'm also no longer afraid of the remaining schedule. Antrel Rolle is just about my least favorite Giant, but he produced the season's best quote last week and it's now even more meaningful..."We're not worried about our schedule, our schedule should be worried about us." Really, after beating a good team on the road without your #1 receiver, running back, and center, is there any reason to be afraid of the 49ers, Cowboys, Saints, or Jets? I think not. They are capable of beating anyone. There could be something special about this team.
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