Chasing History: New England (15-0) at New York (10-5)

[UNHWildCats]

New England has wrapped up the #1 seed in the AFC long ago and with Minnesota's loss last night the Giants are locked into the 5 spot... New England has a bye and New York doesn't. The Giants have no reason to play their starters all game except to end the Patriots perfect season, they would be better off trying that in the Super Bowl.

The Giants are 7-1 on the road so I don't think its impossible for them to make it through the NFC.

Has anyone seen I Am Legend??? In the first scene when the TV reporter is talking, at the bottom of the headline scrolls it says something like "Giants lose to Patriots for second time this season" :p If the Patriots go 19-0 and beat the Giants in SB XLII that clip should be sent to Canton.

[FCS Preview]

Well, will NE play their starters all game?

The Giants will play theirs as long as the Pats play theirs.

[UNHWildCats]

Well, will NE play their starters all game?

The Giants will play theirs as long as the Pats play theirs.
The patriots have a bye and giving too much time off isnt wise.... if the game is close the Pats will play the starters the whole game, if its a blowout, BRady and Moss leave early...

I think the Giants need to be concerned with the playoffs, they get nothiong for beating the Patriots Saturday night, they have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC and the best way to do that is give its starters some rest.... I wouldnt play Manning and Co past the first qtr.

[TheValleyRaider]

Well, will NE play their starters all game?

The Giants will play theirs as long as the Pats play theirs.

I don't really think the Giants will concern themselves with what New England is doing. NY has a responsibility to get themselves ready for the postseason. I can easily see them resting Burriss, and not giving Jacobs that many carries.

This does not mean they'll sit their starters. These are professionals, have some pride, and should be willing to play the game. That goes for the coaching staff too. If the game starts to get out of hand, yeah, then you'll start to see guys like Eli and Osi sit.

My guess, the Giants will go as all-out as possible as long as the game is within reach. You may not see backups until midway through the 4th, if at all. They'll play to win, but will probably keep things close to the vest so Tampa doesn't get too much to look at for next week (not that they didn't already have 15 other games of footage to look at).

[813Jag]

I don't really think the Giants will concern themselves with what New England is doing. NY has a responsibility to get themselves ready for the postseason. I can easily see them resting Burriss, and not giving Jacobs that many carries.

This does not mean they'll sit their starters. These are professionals, have some pride, and should be willing to play the game. That goes for the coaching staff too. If the game starts to get out of hand, yeah, then you'll start to see guys like Eli and Osi sit.

My guess, the Giants will go as all-out as possible as long as the game is within reach. You may not see backups until midway through the 4th, if at all. They'll play to win, but will probably keep things close to the vest so Tampa doesn't get too much to look at for next week (not that they didn't already have 15 other games of footage to look at).
I hope they don't keep things as close to the vest as the Bucs did yesterday. Talk about a vanilla game.

[FCS Preview]

If the Giants don't try their hardest to win, and NE goes unbeaten because of it, they will be chastised by most of the NFL.

Of course, unless the Pats win the SB, it will be considered a disappointment.

There was a FB coach once who said:

"I'd rather go 7-3 than 9-1. If you go 7-3, people talk about the games you won. If you go 9-1, people only talk about the game you lost."

(It was in a calendar I had once. I can't remember who said it)

[TheValleyRaider]

If the Giants don't try their hardest to win, and NE goes unbeaten because of it, they will be chastised by most of the NFL.

Why should the Giants care what the rest of the NFL thinks? 12 other teams had a chance to beat the Pats this year (and Buf/NYJ/Miami had 2 chances), and they couldn't do it. If they want to chastize someone, how about the Ravens, who did everything in their power to throw that game away?

The Giants should only care about themselves here. You'll probably see a defensive gameplan similar to what the Eagles did to slow down Brady, given NY's DC was an Eagles assistant. If they can succeed in putting some heat on Brady and effectively start jamming the recievers, this game could remain close. The weather in the Meadowlands may also play a factor, but no telling as of yet what it'll be like.

[UNHWildCats]

to me the Giants cant play game 16 just to be the team to beat the Patriots, because it shows they think they cant win the Super Bowl.... you need to do what you need to to make your chances better to get to and win the Super Bowl, then you can possibly have your shot at them then.... But because the Giants dont have a Bye, they should give atleast partial rest to the starters, New England has the Bye and dont want too much rest.... so they have the luxury of playinbg the starters longer if they want.

[tribe_pride]

If the Giants don't try their hardest to win, and NE goes unbeaten because of it, they will be chastised by most of the NFL.

They'll be chastised by the 72 Dolphins but I don't see anyone else chastising them unless they just want to whine that the Pats went 16-0 (assuming that happens).

The Giants have a responsibility to get themselves ready for the playoffs. They don't have any other responsibility. This is no different than if Indy rests their starters after a quarter against the Titans who need this win to get a spot in the playoffs or the Cowboys if they do the same against the Skins (little different because each has a bye week but they have earned that right if they choose to do so). Crennel has even said that if Indy chooses to rest some of its players during next game, he will not complain because the Browns will have been the ones who did not take care of business.

[UNHWildCats]

They'll be chastised by the 72 Dolphins but I don't see anyone else chastising them unless they just want to whine that the Pats went 16-0 (assuming that happens).

The Giants have a responsibility to get themselves ready for the playoffs. They don't have any other responsibility. This is no different than if Indy rests their starters after a quarter against the Titans who need this win to get a spot in the playoffs or the Cowboys if they do the same against the Skins (little different because each has a bye week but they have earned that right if they choose to do so). Crennel has even said that if Indy chooses to rest some of its players during next game, he will not complain because the Browns will have been the ones who did not take care of business.
i owe you a rep hit later for this post..... xbowx xthumbsupx

[danefan]

My wife and her brothers (and sister-in-law) will be at Giants Stadium, sitting 50 yard line, 10th row.

I'm a little jealous (but I'll be in Vegas so its not really bad).

The giants need to play their offense. They need to work out the kinks before going into the playoffs. But I wouldn't expect to see Brandon Jacobs as he is a little banged up. I don't think the G-men Defense will get too many reps though.

[UNHWildCats]

wooo 1 box to 6...nice

[UNHWildCats]

As if the Patriots didnt have enough incentive to win Saturday, now some Giants players are talking trash......

[Cleets]

As if the Patriots didnt have enough incentive to win Saturday, now some Giants players are talking trash......

where..?
article please....

[ngineer]

ONe of the few times in my life I'll be rooting for the Giants. I just don't want to see NE get this record..mainly due to my reaction about Belichek's cheating episode...Sends the wrong message that cheating is okay to get ahead, even when you're good enough not to cheat...paranoid guy IMO. LIke Nixon in 1972..McGovern didn't have a snowball's chance, yet Tricky Dick's henchmen are bugging the opposition political party's offices. Something I'd expect the KGB to do..Same with Belichek. Winning isn't the 'only thing' if you don't know how to do it.

[UNHWildCats]

About 100 minutes to kickoff.... networks should be beggining pre game shows shortly, if CBS and NBC are doing shows...

My prediction....

Patriots 42 Giants 13

Brady gets 4 TDs to set a new NFL record at 52.

Moss gets 2 TDs to set a new NFL record* at 23

The Patriots set the new scoring mark for a season.

[UNHWildCats]

not surprisingly, Roger Goodell is at the game.

[whitey]

For the love of God can the Giants just beat the Pats tonight...not because of the record. I could care less about that...I just want to see UNHWildCats stop cluttering up the front page of "Other Sports" with Patriots related threads. xlolx




j/k UNHWC.

[UNHWildCats]

in any case... it all ends by the first week of February :p of course the World Series defense starts shortly there after :p

[grizband]

About 100 minutes to kickoff.... networks should be beggining pre game shows shortly, if CBS and NBC are doing shows...

My prediction....

Patriots 42 Giants 13

Brady gets 4 TDs to set a new NFL record at 52.

Moss gets 2 TDs to set a new NFL record* at 23

The Patriots set the new scoring mark for a season.
If Brady throws 381 yards, it would give him 4,831; this would be the second highest total in a season, behind only Dan Marino's 5,084.

[FCS Preview]

Giants already have 14 :D
So much for 42-13 xlolx

[UNHWildCats]

bogus penalty on Moss there...

Anyway with the Pats TD the Patriots set the NFl scoring record and Brady and Moss tied the TD records.

[FCS Preview]

bogus penalty on Moss there...

I disagree. As soon as he slammed the ball like that I was expecting a penalty...

FG, 14-13 NYG

[Grizalltheway]

I disagree. As soon as he slammed the ball like that I was expecting a penalty...

FG, 14-13 NYG

If I'm not mistaken spiking isn't allowed anymore...

[Ivytalk]

Go, Jints!:D Hold 'em off!xnodx

[brownbear]

TD Giants

[FCS Preview]

TOUCHDOWN GIANTS

[brownbear]

Giants up 28-16!!!

[siuham]

Fell asleep at halftime and woke up to 28-16...That was interesting...Pats just scored again. Good game going on here.

[Peems]

Here we go GGGGGG-MEEEEENNN

[Peems]

Eli is looking better than both Peyton and Tom!!!!

[FCS Preview]

what the hell was that call on 3rd and 11?????

[crunifan]

I think I am one of the few outside the Northeast, let alone in Iowa rooting for the Patriots!

[furpal87]

Two terrible calls against the Giants, then the real Eli (who sucks) shows up with an INT.

[FCS Preview]

giants are folding

[siuham]

giants are folding

Yup.

Maroney just pussy footed his way into the end zone...I declare this game to be ova.

[NDSUFREAK]

THEY DID IT!!

CONGRATS NEW ENGLAND!

[UNHWildCats]

wow what a great game.

[dbackjon]

Congrats to NE.

[UNHWildCats]

The Celtics just moved to 3-0 on their west coast trip too...25-3 for them

[NDSUFREAK]

The Celtics just moved to 3-0 on their west coast trip too...25-3 for them

they play football? xconfusedx
you can make a new thread for that...oh, and you're welcome for Minnesota players
Garnett - Maroney - Moss xlolx

[UNHWildCats]

Also, very nice how the Giants congratulated the Patriots between 1st and 2nd down there at the end.

[CCUCheer]

Yayyyy PATRIOTS!!!!! Now they need to step it up a little bit and prepare for playoffs. SUPER BOWL BOUND! GO PATS!
xoxo

[Peems]

Still not the Dolphins yet, if they make it through the postseason unscathed, then big time congrats, and remember the super bowl champs are still kicking!!!

[patssle]

Nobody will care if they don't win the Super Bowl.

[TheValleyRaider]

So nice to see so many people pulling for the Giants tonight :) Almost brings a tear to my hardened NY heart :p

Brady was a beast tonight, and they deserved not only to win this game, but also the undefeated season. It is not the be-all end-all, but still a fantastic accomplishment all the same xbowx

Unfortunately, the Giants blew this one. Playcalling and execution were atrocious in the 4th Quarter, and the Defense wasn't given any chance to rest. You could see it in the sloppy tackling on the last couple of Patriot drives. Oh well, no shame in 10-6 this season. On to Tampa next week (boy I'd love for them to get some good shots in on Garcia at last)

[JohnStOnge]

Unfortunately, the Giants blew this one.

I don't watch the NFL much any more but I was switching back and forth between this game and the Penn State/Texas A&M bowl and I one thing I did see that was unbelievable was when the Giants were leading by five, got beat deep by Moss who dropped a pass that was a little short, then got beat again deep by Moss on the same side of the field for a TD on the very next play.

How on EARTH do you get burned like that once then have it happen to you AGAIN on the very next play?

Just amazing.

[813Jag]

So nice to see so many people pulling for the Giants tonight :) Almost brings a tear to my hardened NY heart :p

Brady was a beast tonight, and they deserved not only to win this game, but also the undefeated season. It is not the be-all end-all, but still a fantastic accomplishment all the same xbowx

Unfortunately, the Giants blew this one. Playcalling and execution were atrocious in the 4th Quarter, and the Defense wasn't given any chance to rest. You could see it in the sloppy tackling on the last couple of Patriot drives. Oh well, no shame in 10-6 this season. On to Tampa next week (boy I'd love for them to get some good shots in on Garcia at last)
I tried hard to pull for the Giants but as a Cowboys fan, I think that's against the law. xlolx That touchdown to Moss in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. He ran by that zone coverage like he was on the field by himself.
Good luck to both teams in the playoffs.

[spelunker64]

Great game by both, Eli strikes again...


Thanks for Rivers and Merriman by the way :D

[spelunker64]

I like the NFL's new Joe's cafe commercial with the cable-guy in it. Great marketing by the NFL, knowing this would be on CBS and NBC...

hmmmmm, makes you wonder when they filmed that commercial...

[bodoyle]

Nobody will care if they don't win the Super Bowl.

You are absolutely right! I tied to tell "someone" on here that, but they disagreed with me. 16-0 is nice and all that, but if you don't win the big one it doesn't matter if you were 16-0 and never allowed a 1st down all season.

[Col Hogan]

You are absolutely right! I tied to tell "someone" on here that, but they disagreed with me. 16-0 is nice and all that, but if you don't win the big one it doesn't matter if you were 16-0 and never allowed a 1st down all season.

I don't know who disagreed with your statement...but as a full-blooded Patriots/Red Sox/Celtics fan, I agree...this year is nice, but not a whole lot of anything else without the ring...

[UNHWildCats]

First NFL team to go 16-0 in the regular season.
Tom Brady NFL record 50 touchdown passes. (49)
Randy Moss NFL record 23 touchdown receptions. (22)
Patriots NFL record 589 points scored. (556)
Patriots NFL record 19th consecutive regular season win. (18)
Patriots NFL record 21 players scoring a touchdown. (tied)
Patriots NFL record 23 touchdowns for QB/WR duo. (18)
Patriots NFL record 75 total touchdowns. (70)

[UNHWildCats]

Wes Welker Patriots team record 112 receptions. (102)
Tom Brady Patriots team record 4806 passing yards. (4555)
Patriots record 6580 total yards of offense. (5965)
First Patriots team to go undefeated in division.

[spelunker64]

First NFL team to go 16-0 in the regular season.
Tom Brady NFL record 50 touchdown passes. (49)
Randy Moss NFL record 23 touchdown receptions*. (22)
Patriots NFL record 589 points scored. (556)
Patriots NFL record 19th consecutive regular season win. (18)
Patriots NFL record 21 players scoring a touchdown. (tied)
Patriots NFL record 23 touchdowns for QB/WR duo. (18)
Patriots NFL record 75 total touchdowns. (70)

fixed it...xrolleyesx :D

[Peems]

First NFL team to go 16-0 in the regular season.
Tom Brady NFL record 50 touchdown passes*. (49)
Randy Moss NFL record 23 touchdown receptions*. (22)
Patriots NFL record 589 points scored. (556)
Patriots NFL record 19th consecutive regular season win. (18)
Patriots NFL record 21 players scoring a touchdown. (tied)
Patriots NFL record 23 touchdowns for QB/WR duo. (18)
Patriots NFL record 75 total touchdowns. (70)

I'll up one the asterik. Peyton Manning got his in 15 games...

[UNHWildCats]

I'll up one the asterik. Peyton Manning got his in 15 games...


xboringx xboringx xboringx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx

[Peems]

xboringx xboringx xboringx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx xblahblahx

I knew you would like that:D

[brownbear]

First NFL team to go 16-0 in the regular season.
Tom Brady NFL record 50 touchdown passes. *(49)
Randy Moss NFL record 23 touchdown receptions. *(22)
Patriots NFL record 589 points scored.* (556)
Patriots NFL record 19th consecutive regular season win. (18)
Patriots NFL record 21 players scoring a touchdown. (tied)
Patriots NFL record 23 touchdowns for QB/WR duo. (18)
Patriots NFL record 75 total touchdowns. (70)

I'll add another asterisk for the scoring record. The 1950 Rams scored 466 points in 12 games (38.8 points per game) while the Pats scored 589 in 16 games (36.8 points per game).

[Grizalltheway]

You are absolutely right! I tied to tell "someone" on here that, but they disagreed with me. 16-0 is nice and all that, but if you don't win the big one it doesn't matter if you were 16-0 and never allowed a 1st down all season.

Not only that, but they'll overtake the Vikings as the biggest choke-job ever, and Randy Moss will have been on both teams. Sweet revenge for Montana fans. :D

[Grizalltheway]

First NFL team to go 16-0 in the regular season.
Tom Brady NFL record 50 touchdown passes. (49)
Randy Moss NFL record 23 touchdown receptions. (22)
Patriots NFL record 589 points scored. (556)
Patriots NFL record 19th consecutive regular season win. (18)
Patriots NFL record 21 players scoring a touchdown. (tied)
Patriots NFL record 23 touchdowns for QB/WR duo. (18)
Patriots NFL record 75 total touchdowns. (70)
*They cheated


Just one more. :D

[brownbear]

Not only that, but they'll overtake the Vikings as the biggest choke-job ever, and Randy Moss will have been on both teams. Sweet revenge for Montana fans. :D

The Steelers when 15-1 too in 2004, but they got blown out by the Patriots in the AFC Championship, so their amazing season (Ben Roethlisberger goes 13-0 during regular season) meant nothing. At least the had revenge the next year.

[UNHWildCats]

Unlike the Steelers and Vikings, the Patriots have been here before, they know how to win in January.

[UNHWildCats]

Just one more. :D
They may have tried to, but were stopped in the first game of the season before putting any use to what they got.... Nothing they have done this season on the field is at all tainted.

[Peems]

UNH gave me some rep for my Mannning thing so I'll admit it Brady is great...But having the most talented player in the NFL in Randy Moss helps...I had to do it:D

[UNHWildCats]

UNH gave me some rep for my Mannning thing so I'll admit it Brady is great...But having the most talented player in the NFL in Randy Moss helps...I had to do it:D
Sorta like all those years that Manning had the great WRs?

Only difference is Brady won 3 Super Bowls without great WRs.... Brady was proven great before Moss, Stallworth or Welker even came on the Pats radar.

[Cleets]

Brady even said Randy Moss is the smartest player he's ever played with..!!!
xnodx

[NDSUFREAK]

don't even start with the vikings :pumpuke: :pumpuke: xpissedx

[NDSUFREAK]

Not only that, but they'll overtake the Vikings as the biggest choke-job ever, and Randy Moss will have been on both teams. Sweet revenge for Montana fans. :D

lose in the conference title game by a field goal in over time...still xbangx xbangx xbangx xsplatx after 10 years...

[spelunker64]

lose in the conference title game by a field goal in over time...still xbangx xbangx xbangx xsplatx after 10 years...

And you were what 3 when that happened xrolleyesx xsmiley_wix

[spelunker64]

Did Wilfork get fined for poking Jacobs in the eye yet???

[UNHWildCats]

the NFL generally mails out fine notices on Monday but with the holiday the letters probably wont arrive until Wednesday.

[UNHWildCats]

I'll up one the asterik. Peyton Manning got his in 15 games...
A couple more things....

Manning played 10 games indoors, plus a game in Florida, he didnt play a game outside after November 21.

Brady's final 7 games, all after November 18, were outdoors in the North, Brady played in a dome just once this season....