Giant Win

Today I watched the New York Giants beat the Atlanta Falcons at home in a blow out.  It was the first home win in the playoffs since 2000 and it was pulled off in impressive fashion.  The Giants ran, passed and played defense like they hadn't in long time.  Their play today sparked memories of the team that made a playoff run to the Super Bowl and upset the New England Patriots.  It is amazing what this team can do when it is healthy.

Ever since the preseason the Giants have been devastated by injuries.  They lost all but 2 of their starting defensive backfield, their starting middle linebacker and the defensive line hasn't been complete all season.  The defensive backfield is still in shambles but they have had an entire season to learn how to play with each other.  They have found ways to create turnovers and don't give up big plays very often.  The middle linebacker position has been filled recently by Chase Blackburn, a former Giant that was resigned and made an immediate impact and solidified the linebacking core.  For the first time all season, it feels like, the defensive line is a full strength.  Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck appear to be healthy and have been getting after the QB like years past.  That coupled with Jason Pierre-Paul's emergence as an elite player is making this defensive line look even better than the one that won a Super Bowl a few years ago.

Health is also the main reason that the Giants offense is clicking on all cylinders right now as well.  Through the season, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs have dealt with several injuries each.  For the most part the were rarely played together this season.  That plus new faces and frequent injuries on the offensive line caused the Giants to have the worst rushing attack in the NFL.  Now the offensive line is stable and the Backs are as healthy as they have been all season long and Brandon Jacobs is running like he was when the Giants won the Super Bowl.

There is one thing about the Giants that isn't looking like it did when they won the Super Bowl.  That would be the play of Eli Manning.  Before the season he was asked if he considered himself an elite QB in the NFL and he answered the only way that a starting QB should, with a yes.  He received quite a bit of criticism for those comments, but throughout the season he has proven to be one of the elite in the game.  He is playing better than he ever has and he is doing it without his 2 favorite targets from the last few seasons.  Victor Cruz has become the big play receiver for Manning and he has come a long way in just his first season as a starter. 

With all the pieces falling into place at the right time I am not reminded of the Super Bowl team of a few years ago.  I see a better team that is finally clicking and capable of beating any team left in the playoffs.  As long as the Giants can rush the passer with just 4 defensive linemen and can rush for over 100 yards a game then this team will be hard to beat.