Giants De-Claw Cats, Reclaim Hope

First, the Giants had the big game against Da Bears for Conference Supremacy. That didn’t go so well. Then they had the big game against Dallas for Divisional Supremacy. That didn’t go so well either. Sunday, they had another big game, this one to stay pace with the wild card front runners in the dredges of the mediocre NFC. Eureka! Giants found a matchup much more to their liking and defeated the Carolina Panthers, thus ending their four game losing streak. Their effort in fact pretty much put the game away in the first half. Could the sky still be the limit for these Big Blue warriors?

The game was furiously contested, back and forth (in the first half). It wasn’t decided until the final whistle (of the first half). Tiki Barber was the most dominant player (of the first half). The Giants were able to gain the momentum with their 17-10 advantage right before the break, and in the second half they provided an opportunity for Giants fans to wrap holiday gifts and happily check in with the score once in a while as Big Blue coasted to victory, led by Eli Manning’s second straight strong, mistake-free performance.

Carolina was without their starting QB Jake Delhomme, and had to clear the cobwebs off the arm of untested former Heisman winner Chris Weinke, and this Cat coughed up intercept-able passes for the Giants D like they were furballs. Furthermore, both starting Carolina cornerbacks were out with injuries, so when five minutes into the game backup CB Christian Morton goes down with a hamstring himself, it was obvious there would be every opportunity for Eli and Plaxico Burress to shine against third team pass protection.

The histrionics of Burress commanded center stage as the petulant pass-catcher pouted then preened in front of cameras and mocking Carolina fans throughout the first half. Fox commentator Joe Buck referred to the “familiar shot” of Plax moping on the sideline with his Giants visor askew, and indeed this pose was often struck in reaction to balls not being thrown to him or perceived penalties. The complaining of Plax was so annoying after a perceived “catch” in the dirt that Coach Coughlin somehow caved in and tossed his red challenge flag, later causing him to hesitate to throw his final challenge flag of the game on a more advantageous opportunity, when Carolina seemed to fumble on the Giants 10. Could have been significant if the game didn’t get away from the overmanned Cats.

Plax did break through beautifully after his clamoring and yammering. There was the 45-yard rainbow from Manning as Eli was getting pinballed around in the pocket by mighty bumpers of the Carolina defensive front, Peppers and Jenkins. This game changer was rapidly followed by Plax’s 28-yard TD grab while backpedaling in traffic at the open of the second quarter.

Plax’s turn from sulky to bulky set the tone for Jeremy Shockey, who was able to flash his garishly patriotic tattoos in victory as he delicately tiptoed the endline for the last TD of the first half, putting the G-men ahead for good, 17-10. Then in the third quarter the final blow was struck on D, as Gibril Wilson ‘s quick reaction to a floating tip turned into an interception and 25 yard return to the Panther 14, and shortly thereafter an insurmountable 27-10 advantage. Gibril, whose name sometimes sounds like “gerbil”, and who sometimes plays like one, was more like a hamster this time.

After losing four in a row, joy over the Giants victory injects hope into the Big Blue Nation. Just how realistic is the thought that the Carolina victory signals any kind of positive trend? Coming in as fellow 6-6ers, Giants got the advantage on Carolina, and stayed pace with the now 7-6 Falcons and Eagles. Eagles are without starting QB McNabb, and unless you have faith that The Redemption of Jeff Garcia will one day be a major motion picture starring Mark Wahlberg then you have counted them out of any major contention, and have chalked up today’s Eagles victory to the lameness of the Skins. Meanwhile, Grind It Out Sports reporters have learned that the Falcons, while victorious, had their entire running game carted off the field, as Warrick Dunn and his backup Jerious Norwood were both unable to return from injuries. Clearly, Giants seem to have the edge over the NFC wildcard slop bucket.

After losing four in a row, all the discussions of playoff possibilities had to create the constant grumbling caveat: “assuming we ever win again” in the minds of the Giants. Now that they’ve won one, would Big Blue really be a serious contender? After the Giants weren’t dressed up enough to get in with the Cowboys and Bears at the swanky Club NFC, they’ve found a nice barstool right next to the jukebox at the Wild Card Bar & Grill, where they are much more comfortable. Only problem is, someone put in a song by the Eagles, whom they hate more than Lebowski. However, Giants can Take It Easy and rely on their home bar advantage in the upcoming Wild Card Darts Match with Philly -- plus, finally, a little winning momentum.