Gasp...do the Giants win the NFC East with a win on Sunday night?

I am calling it now

The winner of this game this week will win the division. I realize that I could very possibly be wrong because if the Giants won that game but lost their next two and dallas won their next two then week 17 wouldn’t matter. The giants can only get even with us in this game so we still kind of have the upper hand on them, but it most likely means needing to win week 17 at NY.

However, if the Cowboys win Sunday night, one more win will clinch the division. So if the Cowboys pull off a win, they have 3 weeks to get into the playoffs. @TB and then Home for the Eagles before the Giants would have a chance to do anything to stop us again. I hope we win the next two, then its playoff’s guaranteed with two weeks to play. The only reason I wouldn’t want that is for my fantasy league because I have Miles Austin and DeMarco Murray on my team, but then again I also have Marshawn Lynch, MoJo Drew, and Steven Jackson on my team and I am 11-2 right now with Miles out most of the year…

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Dec 9, 2011 11:49 AM CST reply actions

Do you think this team would go soft against Phi and NYG even with the Divsion clinch?

1. There’d possible be seeding to play for maybe #2 or #3
2. This team isn’t known to just “turn it on”
3. I hate that strategy I pray that doesn’t happen. I am tired of a bye is win crap.

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 9, 2011 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

Noted

We would still be fighting for a #2 or #3 seed possibly (although #2 means SF has to lose 3 of its last 4, not likely especially when 3 of them are against NFC West teams, who all suck royally), however needing the saints to lose 2 games isn’t all that likely either, but more likely than SF losing 3. I just want a team that has a really good chance at beating GB in the divisional round as I don’t want them even sniffing a SB.

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Dec 9, 2011 12:01 PM CST up reply actions

See my reply below to ProBowlFactory

Dallas does not clinch the division before week 16 if the Giants do not lose and the Cowboys beat New York this Sunday and Tampa Bay a week from Saturday.

by ScarletO on Dec 9, 2011 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

Dallas will not be playing for the #2 seed. Child, please....

They will be wondering what happened after Sunday night.

I’m feeling confident right now that the Giants will win behind a better QB/pass attack aided by a horrible Cowboy defensive backfield and a superior pass rush.

Giants D has been stopping the run of late, so I am less worried about that than I have been a few weeks ago.

Gaints running game has 44 back in the attack so I feel good about this too, of course.

Bottom line, I think the Giants are better and will win but I am worried AS HELL that they won’t.

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 9, 2011 9:42 PM CST up reply actions

When is the last time the Giants had a winning record

In the second half of a season? I’m not too worried.

1st, Better qb? Similar this season, maybe, but Romo has historically been far superior. Your defensive backfield is as bad as, if not worse than, ours. You do realize you’ve been blown out 4 times this year, right? Cowboys…once. And since when do the Giants have a pass rush? They always talk about it, but, really? Let’s compare sack leaders…

The Giants haven’t been stopping the run. No one has needed to run on them to win. Refer back to porous secondary and blowout losses.

Giants running game? Didn’t that running game go for all of 40 yards against the Eagles terrible run D? Sure, you get 44 back, but you’re missing blockers due to injury.

As for the bottom line, I’ll take a team who just had its 4 game winning steak broken over a team that’s still building a 4+ game streak the other way when I’m saying who’s better. Good job on that moral victory last week, though. Not gonna help you win the division, but art least, when you’re watching Cowboys-Packers this January, you’ll be able to say “hey, we played hard against both of them. We were really good for a .500 team.”

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 1:40 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

yeah I can't talk ANY smack, really.

My team has lost 4 straight.

But hey, I was feeling good about the game last night and thought I would share some thoughts with my frenemies over here on BTB. I still feel good about the game and look forward to watching it.

As for your final sentence, nice one, I took it on the chin right there. :-)

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 8:33 AM CST up reply actions

Good sport. I like it.

Moral victories were pretty common under Wade last year, so I laugh pretty hard when the media doles them out, these days.

Looking forward to the game. It’ll be good.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 3:27 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Of course!

I’m not here to make enemies, just to have fun.

It gets boring just conversing with other Giant fans. But I have to take issue with your statement that we got blown out 4 times. It was once, @ NO.

There has been no other game where the Giants weren’t “in it” all the way through the fourth quarter. I"ll try to classify a blowout, as it can be a subjective thing to measure, but as you will see, NO was the only blowout loss. Something like always trailing by at least 13 points and never really being in any type of position to get close on the scoreboard sounds pretty good to me as a blowout.

Here are our loses:

WAS loss. Tied 14-14 at the half. Giants down 21-14 entering the fourth. No blowout
SEA loss. Tied 14-14 at the half. Giants led 16-14 entering the fourth. No blowout
SF loss. Giants down 9-3 at the half, Giants led 13-12 entering the fourth. Again, no blowout
Phi loss. Giants down 10-3 at the half, down 10-3 entering the fourth. No blowout, see the trend here, Sax?
NO loss. BLOWOUT
GB loss. Nailbiter, nooooo blowout.

Wanna rethink the statement about the Giants getting blown out 4 times?

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 5:32 PM CST up reply actions

Okay. Correction.

Giants lost 4 games before the final possession? Or, simply, Giants lost 4 by more than 7. 2-4 in games decided by more than 7.

Cowboys, 3-1.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 7:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

As I said below, I made a mistake.

Giants are 2-3 in games decided by more than 7.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 7:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Not that I'm comparing the two...

… by any stretch of the imagination, but what’d that McCoy guy do versus the Cowboys vaunted run D? What’d our lot do versus theirs? Oh goody, twice as much. Big whoop. Or is that butt whup? Oh, passing game had something to do with that, didn’t it? Division rival games. Irksome things.

Chicken. Egg. Or is that “Egg. Chicken.” I haven’t figured that kinda counting.

Egg, as in “laying one”. Egg, as in “on face”. Egg, as in “On”.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 10, 2011 10:50 AM CST up reply actions

That egg may cost us a seed.

Hopefully which seed, and not all of them.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 3:29 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Egg? Seed?

Pregnant pause. Pa’s?

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 10, 2011 4:50 PM CST up reply actions

You reap what you sew.

We’re our own fathers, and farmers.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 7:20 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I want the #3 seed

That way if we win in the wild card round and the Saints take care of business as they should, then that means NO plays at Green Bay in the divisional round. New Orleans has the best chance of beating the Packers, and being that I hate the Packers, always have and always will, I want them to lose. I don’t want them even sniffing another super bowl. Although nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing the Cowboys knock them out of the playoffs, but I think New Orleans has a better chance at doing it than anyone else.

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Dec 9, 2011 11:57 AM CST up reply actions

The Giants can beat the Packers.

If you haven’t watched last weeks game, you should. Then you would believe this as well.

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 9, 2011 9:44 PM CST up reply actions

The Giants ~~can~~ didn’t beat the Packers.
You’re welcome.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 9, 2011 11:03 PM CST up reply actions

Thank you

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 8:38 AM CST up reply actions

My pleasure.

My concern’s not how either Cowboys or Giants fare vs other teams but how they fare vs each other. That said, barnburner of a game that Giants/Packers tilt.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 10, 2011 10:36 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, no doubt.

I bet this Sunday nights game will be similar.

Anybody here wanna do a SB Nation signature type of bet for this game?

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

Jinx I am wagering I should take the Giants

I. Just. Won’t.
Consider it a favour.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 10, 2011 6:49 PM CST up reply actions

Open invitation to anyone

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 8:17 PM CST up reply actions

And you weren't even close

In 4 of your other losses. You’ve either been blown out, beaten, or almost beaten (since almost matters so much to you) in all but 2 games this year.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 1:44 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

And you have some bad losses yourself.

With your QB literally giving away two games (DET NYJ). And if memory serves Romo had to give away the DET game 3 times in the second half before finally finishing the choke, while it only took two disaster plays in the Jet game to get the job done.

And you lost last week, just like we did. Only we lost to an undefeated team while you lost to a, what 4 win team?

See you Sunday night!

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 8:41 AM CST up reply actions

What's a bad loss, exactly? I'll qualify my comments

It’s fairly widely believed that one-possession games are determined largely by luck, as teams, over time, trends towards .500 in 7-point-or-less contests. Luck is less likely to blame when winning or losing by more than 7. That said, Cowboys are 4-4 in close games. Exactly where they should be. Giants are 4-2, which can be considered lucky.

To better judge a team’s quality, you can look at the other games, and see that the Cowboys have 3 large-margin victorious, and one large-margin loss. In the same category, the Giants are 2-4. In truth, if they weren’t somewhat lucky in close games, they would be 5-7 now.

How about this: there is a 1-in-12 chance the Cowboys lose by more than 7. There’s a 1-in-4 chance the Giants do.

More stats? You pointed out Romo’s mistakes in games that were still close at the end. Despite special teams failures and defensive let downs, you would still like to blame Romo. These were high-scoring games. Romo kept Dallas in them as much as he took them out. Anyway, despite all of the press, Eli has still managed to commit more turnovers than Romo. He’s also lost more games. Oh, and in 4 games this season, he couldn’t even keep the score close.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 3:42 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, no doubt.

See my comments above about “blowout” losses by the Giants.

And to expand I will put the final scores of the Giants losses.

WAS 28 NYG 14. 14 point loss in a game that was tied at the half, and we were down by 7 entering the fourth.
SEA 36 NYG 25. 11 point loss that was a tight game all the way through until the final minutes of the game.
SF 27 NYG 20. 7 point loss in a close game.
PHI 17 NYG 10. 7 point loss in a tight game.
NO blowout, this we know.
GB 3 point loss in a tight game.

Meh, it was it is, but the Giants have only been blown out once, and have blown out 2 teams.

It’s all window dressing, Sunday night is what it’s all about as we know. But hey, I gotta set ya straight about that 4 blowout comment. :-)

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

My mistake, I was given faulty data.

Giants are 4-3 in close games, 2-3 in less close games. Half game lucky rather than a whole. Do you take solace in the fact that your team kept things close in most games, then fell apart in many fourth quarters? I don’t know about your"blowout wins", either, if you want to call losing by 14 to Washington and being shut out in the second half a close game. You blew out Philly? No. You were losing entering the fourth. The Rams? Not as close, but only 12 points.

We have a 10-point, 27-point, and a 37-point victory. A single 27-point loss.

You have a 12 and 13 point win, and losses by 25, 14, and 11. Every other game was within 7 for both of us. You can see why I like this comparison, I’m sure. Blowouts…real blowouts…you haven’t served any. We’ve dished two. And we’ve each suffered one. Call a 25 point game a blowout. 4 possessions.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 7:55 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Sounds ok to me. No blowouts, your right.

The Giants are not a great team by any measure. They have a very good offense led by a great QB/pass attack. Their defense sucks for the most part but plays well when our idiot DC plays his personnel properly. They have not very special special teams, and they have a good HC.

But they barely lost to GB and SF, the #1 and #2 teams in the NFC, and beat NE, tied for the #2 seed in the AFC. All while having the 6th most players on IR in the NFL, and having the third most missed starts by starters in the NFL. (this is from someone else at BBV, would give credit if I remember who, sorry)

That’s all I got to hang my hat on at this point cause, my team is 6-6. Most “experts” looked at our team in the summer and thought 9-7, 8-8. And then the injuries started mounting and most thought 8-8 AT BEST. So I guess I will just be thankful that my team can enter into Sunday nights game against a Dallas team that is not much better, if at all better, than the Giants. This with a chance to take a lead in the division race.

Best part is I am confident of a win going into a game for the first time in 3 weeks. :-)

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 8:16 PM CST up reply actions

and we beat SF and barely lost to NE

And I would bet that We could hang with GB (if not beat them)

and this is with Dallas missing its #1 WR for half the season, its #2 WR dealing with a leg injury for the first 5 games, a QB that played with broken ribs, and didn’t have its best Full back until half way through the season.

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST

by I am Ironman!!! on Dec 10, 2011 10:28 PM CST up reply actions

Our 1-5 start last year

Was similar in some ways to what you’ve been suffering through. We were in every game, never losing by more than 7, and beating Houston convincingly. Once Romo went down, things fell apart. Two points there. First, I know how it feels to scrape for optimism amidst a string of tough losses. But also, I’ve learned that, sometimes, it’s a false hope.

As an aside, a brief exercise. Our teams are widely considered evenly matched going into this game. If Romo and Eli both went down, which team would be better?

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Dec 10, 2011 11:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Actually, a win on Sunday night and a win against the Buccaneers does not clinch the East for Dallas.

It does eliminate the Eagles from winning the division, since Philadelphia would have 8 losses and the Cowboys would have 9 wins. Beating the Giants and Buccaneers in successive weeks, however, does not clinch the NFC East because the Giants could win out, and Dallas could lose to Philadelphia. In that case, both teams finish at 9-7, but the Giants would have a better record among similar opponents (the third tie-breaker), and would thus win the NFC East.

This scenario is much like what happened in 2008, where the Cowboys just needed to win at home against the Ravens in the last game at Texas Stadium, or beat the Eagles in Philadelphia. The Eagles needed to win out and have several teams lose in order to claim the final playoff spot.

No need to remind everyone how that concluded…

by ScarletO on Dec 9, 2011 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

I thought the tie-breaker would be conference wins and Dallas would have more than the Giants

by Troy on Dec 9, 2011 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

Tie breaker procedure for divisional champions:

1. Head to head
2. Better divisional record
3. Win-loss record in games against the same opponents
4. Win-loss record against NFC teams

Head to head is currently 0-0 (A sweep by the Cowboys clinches the NFC East for Dallas because the Cowboys could be no worse than 9-7, and the Giants could be no better than 8-8.)

Divisional records are Dallas 2-1, New York 1-2 (Each team has two division games left. If the Cowboys and Giants split, the Giants could do no better than 3-3. With a split against the Giants, the Cowboys could still go 4-2 with a win versus Philadelphia. Therefore, Dallas would win this tie-breaker with a split versus the Giants and winning in Arlington against the Eagles.)

Win-loss record v. same opponents is currently New York 6-4 to Dallas’ 7-4 (If Dallas beats Tampa Bay, this remains 7-4. With wins against the Redskins and Jets, the Giants could go up to 8-4. Therefore, a loss to Philadelphia would drop Dallas to 7-5, and the Giants win this tie-breaker.)

Win-loss record v. NFC opponents is currently Dallas 5-3 to New York 3-6 (New York plays the Jets, so the best the Giants could do with a split versus the Cowboys is 5-7. In that case, the worse the Cowboys could do is 6-6. Therefore, the Cowboys win this tie-breaker.)

by ScarletO on Dec 9, 2011 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

Actually the third tie-breaker is conference record

similar opponents is the last one and the Giants have lost all of their games in conference…

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Dec 10, 2011 12:35 AM CST up reply actions

Okay I was wrong

stupid to have it in that order though, but that is a lot of if’s for the Giants to win out the season after playing us, especially getting us again, Also playing the Jets and the Skins already beat them this year (handily I might add), that is a tall order for those three games. Jets will give them a tough time especially with Burress wanting some vengeance as well as that pass defense probably slowing if not shutting down the Giants pass game, which they completely lean on with a 32nd ranked rush attack against a rush defense that ranks 15th after being one of the worst in the league at the beginning of the season, so now playing much better

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Dec 10, 2011 1:04 AM CST up reply actions

Rethink that

“stupid to have it in that order though”

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 10, 2011 11:00 AM CST up reply actions

This is it.

This is where it counts. This is where the Cowboys show what they are made of.

Sure, they could conceiveably slip into the playoffs even if they lose, but would anybody bet more than 5 cents on their chances if they sort of stumble into the tournament as a team that didn’t suck quite as much as the next team?

It is time for a statement win. The Cowboys were close to such a game against the Lions and against the Patriots but squandered the opportunity. I don’t believe in momentum, I don’t believe in clutchness. But I do believe that good teams need to dominate at some point if they want to be more than a perennially 8-8 team. Never a better time than this Sunday.

by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 9, 2011 11:57 AM CST reply actions

Also don't believe in momentum much

Rob Ryan kind of disproved that against the Pats. Pats would get some insane “momentum” going and then the Cowboys would rip the ball right out of their hands or pick off Brady. Great game, but “momentum” doesn’t just shift on a whim. Momentum comes to a screeching halt, not shift and go the other direction in an instant.

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Dec 9, 2011 12:05 PM CST up reply actions

I would like to see Dallas win this weekend also, but...

only because it gives them a better chance to make the playoffs. this team needs to play well enough to win in the post season. That is it.

As with the stock market, past performance is not indicative of future results in today’s NFL. Green Bay, Arizona, and of course New York have represented the NFC in 3 of the last 4 Super Bowls, with the Packers and Giants winning it all. Arizona came within one drive of owning a championship (and a few questionable referee calls).

Remember that New Orleans lost to the Cowboys in December of 2009, but still managed to win the Super Bowl the only other year. The Saints actually lost their last three games (24-17 to Dallas, 20-17 in OT to Tampa Bay, and 23-10 to Carolina) that season. The previous two weeks, the Saints beat the Redskins in a dramatic come from behind win (33-30 in OT), and squeaked by Atlanta 26-23.

Winning in the NFC playoffs is no longer about playing well in December and January. Making a run over the last five games of the season to gain “momentum” does not exist.

During the respective seasons that New York, Arizona, New Orleans and Green Bay represented the NFC in the Super Bowl, winning three of the last four Super Bowls, those teams are a combined 10-10 (10 wins and 10 losses) in their last five games during mostly December and January. In addition, the points scored versus the points against in these 20 games is 451 points (for) and 465 points (against).

Contrary to what the media will make one think, winning in December and January is only valuable to helping a team get to the post season. Once in the post season, the NFL is all about match-ups.

If Dallas wins the NFC East and hosts (for instance) a Chicago Bears team that lacks Cutler and possibly Forte, the Cowboys could advance to face a 49ers team that it has beaten this season. Whether the Cowboys are the 3rd or the 4th seed is not all that relevant, as Atlanta could upset New Orleans (or vice versa) and send a lower seed to Green Bay.

Projecting way ahead (with little data to support it, rather it is more conjecture), the Cowboys could duplicate their success against San Francisco and either visit Green Bay or host the NFC Championship game if the Packers lose. Remember that Rex Ryan held the Packers to 9 points during the regular season last year.

It is all about match-ups in the post season. The regular season really does not matter once the playoffs begin. Just look at the data.

by ScarletO on Dec 9, 2011 2:04 PM CST up reply actions 7 recs

Where do sign?

No disagreements whatsoever. In fact, I might turn this into a post in January :-)

by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 9, 2011 4:57 PM CST up reply actions

Sure.

Hopefully, the Cowboys will still be playing.

by ScarletO on Dec 9, 2011 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

yep that gets a rec Scarlet

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST

by I am Ironman!!! on Dec 9, 2011 7:21 PM CST up reply actions

Well said, agreed, and rec'd.

Just need to point out that the saints had nothing to play for at the end of 2009 as they started 13-0, I believe, and then shut it down until the post season started, so highlighting their games at the end of the season doesn’t mean much when describing NFC end of the season records, playoff matchups, etc.

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 9, 2011 9:51 PM CST up reply actions

Yes

I think they do.

The momentum would be with them. Dallas would be doing its annual “here we go again” with Romo, December and whatever else people could conjure up for headlines.

The NFC East is won and lost this weekend.

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

by 5Blings on Dec 9, 2011 11:59 AM CST reply actions

Awww, man...

And here I figured you dealt in Reality, Fact, both numerically and narratively.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 9, 2011 11:14 PM CST up reply actions

I just want to see this team play well past November

and beat teams that don’t stink. I don’t know if I’ll see that this year, but as a fan, I have to hope.

We’re about as healthy as we’ve been, and we can put the division away just by beating people who are very beatable. In several games (Cards, Lions, Jets) we actually seemed to play better than the opponent, but somehow found a way way to lose. I want to see us find a way to win.

If we don’t turn on the gas now, I don’t know when we will.

by boyman on Dec 9, 2011 12:39 PM CST reply actions

So let me get this straight

Dallas wins Tonight

Eagles lose today

Giants also lose next week

all that happens, then Dallas wins the Division right?

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST

by I am Ironman!!! on Dec 9, 2011 1:33 PM CST reply actions

My apologies. To simplify:

If Dallas wins on Sunday night versus New York, the Cowboys win the NFC East if:

1. Dallas wins at Tampa Bay and the Giants lose one more game.
2. Dallas beats the Eagles.
3. Dallas wins at the New Meadowlands in January.
4. New York and Philadelphia lose one more game.

That’s it if Dallas wins Sunday night.

by ScarletO on Dec 9, 2011 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

I'm just going to throw this out there

It is harder for the Giants to win the division than for the Cowboys to win it.
The Giants would almost HAVE to sweep the Cowboys to win the division. Even if the Cowboys split the series, the Giants have less than a 50% chance at winning the division due to the fact they they don’t own tie breakers. If the Cowboys win this week, I am 90% sure they will win the division. Losing won’t throw us out of the playoffs.

by Zeno on Dec 9, 2011 2:12 PM CST reply actions

Yup, Giants pretty much have to sweep the Cowboys.

Unless the Boys lose to both the Bucs and the Eagles which is in no way out of the question.

Spoilers do alot of damage every year.

But say the Giants win Sunday night, they will have their own spoilers to deal with: NYJ, WAS

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 9, 2011 9:54 PM CST up reply actions

I'm excited.

For once I’m not dreading a big game. I think this game is going to be a close one. Should be fun.

Realist.

by DCyanks21 on Dec 9, 2011 4:10 PM CST reply actions

This is exactly why the Arizona game was so important to win.

We would have had a 2 game lead and could have clinched the division title this week with 3 games left. But that didn’t happen so now we are looking at all the scenarios just to make the playoffs. I’m a little concerned having 3 of the last 4 within the division. Let’s just hope.

by Mikellie on Dec 10, 2011 7:11 AM CST reply actions

Honestly...

…I don’t want to limp in as a 9-7 football team or worse.

The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.

by gee-roj on Dec 10, 2011 9:13 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Nobody likes going in limp.

Only time to is after the business is done. Go limp, that is.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 10, 2011 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

Post is spot on

It’s a must-win for the Giants. Not so for the Cowboys,

I expect the Giants to play with some fire. If they don’t there are some big changes coming in New York.

Even should the Giants escape with a victory, it basically just becomes a 3-game season. If the Giants win it probably comes down to week 17.

nygmen123: Again, without Vick or Maclin, or Cromartie. Injuries don't seem to bother them. They just bring in guys to make plays
nygmen123: Stopped the Pats on the first series. Planted Brady twice. Guess what gang? This team isn't quitting. Or making excuses.
Simms-McC: Yeah -- I wish the Giants were more like the Eagles
nygmen123: In intensity and fight? Right now, so do I.
EAGLES LOSE, 38-20.

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 10, 2011 11:06 AM CST reply actions

I think it i a must win for the Cowboys as well, not in the same sense that it is for the Giants, but still a must

I remember a few years back the Cowboys had to win two of their last four games to win the NFC East, and failed to do so, including the 44-6 debacle. I don’t want anything coming down to week 17

Lifelong Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
My Beer Blog: http://tiltingsuds.wordpress.com/

I would love to show you the finer points to a muay thai clinch whipped knee to the face seanrude
by matt575 on Nov 22, 2011 3:09 AM EST

by Seanrude on Dec 10, 2011 11:39 AM CST up reply actions

I see where you're coming from, still

You’re talking about clinching it sooner rather than later. I’m talking about staying alive!

nygmen123: Again, without Vick or Maclin, or Cromartie. Injuries don't seem to bother them. They just bring in guys to make plays
nygmen123: Stopped the Pats on the first series. Planted Brady twice. Guess what gang? This team isn't quitting. Or making excuses.
Simms-McC: Yeah -- I wish the Giants were more like the Eagles
nygmen123: In intensity and fight? Right now, so do I.
EAGLES LOSE, 38-20.

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 10, 2011 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

Giant Fans

Will they be dancing Sunday Night

Or will they be clinging for life?

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 10, 2011 1:02 PM CST up reply actions

Will this be rob ryan on Monday morning?

Or will this be Big Blue View:

nygmen123: Again, without Vick or Maclin, or Cromartie. Injuries don't seem to bother them. They just bring in guys to make plays
nygmen123: Stopped the Pats on the first series. Planted Brady twice. Guess what gang? This team isn't quitting. Or making excuses.
Simms-McC: Yeah -- I wish the Giants were more like the Eagles
nygmen123: In intensity and fight? Right now, so do I.
EAGLES LOSE, 38-20.

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 10, 2011 1:48 PM CST up reply actions

For Big Blue View? In a tu-tu?

Hmmm, down to New Years Day…

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Dec 10, 2011 4:56 PM CST up reply actions

The Cowboy Killer.......

That is the real question for this game I believe….

How will the Giants offense fair without, whom I believe, has been the most effective Cowboy Killer, Steve Smith?

Nothing against any of the other Giant Recievers, cause they are great. But will they be able to do what Smith did?

This, I believe, is as big an issue as any in the game.

It’s not that the Giants offense isn’t formidable without Smith- it is. It’s just the type of receptions Smith made. They were for first downs. They were drive continuers. Is Victor Cruz up to the task?

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Dec 10, 2011 9:06 PM CST up reply actions

interesting question

But I think it’s not a crucial point. I think most Giants thought of Plaxico as a Cowboy killer, not SS12.

In any case, the Giants do NOT have a “3rd down receiver” — and I think they’re better off as a result. The Giants now throw to Cruz, Nicks, Manningham, Ballard, and their backs on 3rd down — the spread it around philosophy that works so well in today’s NFL.

The question you should be asking is, how will Eli do? He makes his receivers better. They don’t make him. To answer your question, the Giants are NOT missing Steve Smith.

Here is my prediction: The quarterback with a better day will be the stat most closely correlated to the win.

nygmen123: Again, without Vick or Maclin, or Cromartie. Injuries don't seem to bother them. They just bring in guys to make plays
nygmen123: Stopped the Pats on the first series. Planted Brady twice. Guess what gang? This team isn't quitting. Or making excuses.
Simms-McC: Yeah -- I wish the Giants were more like the Eagles
nygmen123: In intensity and fight? Right now, so do I.
EAGLES LOSE, 38-20.

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 10, 2011 9:43 PM CST up reply actions

Cowboy Killers....

Plaxico Vs. Smith?

I think most Cowboy fans would pick Smith for sure. We got sick seeing clutch catch after clutch catch for first downs. Kinda like the way a slow poison kills you- You live for awhile, but eventually…..

Scandrick was being schooled most of the time by Smith, so the issue is a cornerback matchup issue. Steve Smith had a knack for getting open and moving the chains against the Cowboys with frightening regularity.

Although Plaxico had success, I don’t believe he had the success Smith had against the Cowboys.

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Dec 11, 2011 10:19 AM CST up reply actions

looking at the stats

you have a valid point:

Plax: 7 games, 32 recs, 440 yards, 5 TDs

SS: 6 games, 38 recs, 449 yards, 3 TD

I guess what I’m saying is the Giants aren’t missing Steve in the pass game. True, they don’t have a high-percentage, catch-and-fall guy who runs tight routes. But I think they’ve adjusted accordingly.

Another thing to watch for tonight, I guess!

nygmen123: Again, without Vick or Maclin, or Cromartie. Injuries don't seem to bother them. They just bring in guys to make plays
nygmen123: Stopped the Pats on the first series. Planted Brady twice. Guess what gang? This team isn't quitting. Or making excuses.
Simms-McC: Yeah -- I wish the Giants were more like the Eagles
nygmen123: In intensity and fight? Right now, so do I.
EAGLES LOSE, 38-20.

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 11, 2011 12:57 PM CST up reply actions

Cruz has been everything anyone could want in a WR, a football player for that matter.

But he has not played in a game of this magnitude, so, we’ll see.

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 10, 2011 10:20 PM CST up reply actions

No, No, No. It certainly evens out the race, but doesn't end the race

The Cowboys have two easy games after this game, and with a division lead and the tie breaker, the Giants have to win both matches. It’s not beyond the Cowboys to blow it though

"How 'Bout them Cowboys!"---Jimmy Johnson

"...and the Cowboys...STUN the Bills!"--ESPN MNF

by ScottB1985 on Dec 11, 2011 9:22 AM CST reply actions