TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Giants Think They Have What It Takes To Beat Pats

ADVERTISEMENT

By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2008

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - In the harsh world of professional football, close isn't nearly good enough.

Even casual sports fans have heard NFL players repudiate any notion of moral victories. Vince Lombardi became linked to the phrase "winning is the only thing," and another Hall of Fame coach, George Allen, once remarked that "when you lose, you die a little."

So why did the NFC champion Giants feel reborn on the evening of Dec. 29, when they dropped a 38-35 decision that capped New England's perfect regular season?

Despite frittering away a 28-16 lead in the second half and seeing three regulars go down with injuries, New York coach Tom Coughlin and many of his players sounded triumphant after proving the Giants could trade punches with the league's unchallenged heavyweight.

That riveting setback galvanized the Giants, who enter the Feb. 3 Super Bowl against New England with 10 consecutive road victories, including playoff wins at Tampa, Dallas and Green Bay.

"We know the Patriots are a great team, but we also know how to beat them," said Eli Manning, who hasn't thrown an interception in the postseason, despite facing three defenses ranked in the top 11.

Manning fired four touchdown passes against the Patriots last month and Coughlin went with his starters, even though the Giants were locked into the NFC's No. 5 playoff seed and already knew they would face the Buccaneers the following week.

By backing up his pregame vow that he wouldn't rest his regulars, Coughlin generated new respect from competitors eager for an opportunity to hand the Pats their first loss.

When the game ended at 11:22 p.m., Giants fans roared their approval for a dynamic effort in the nationally televised matchup, which proved to be one of the most entertaining games in years.

"We know what we're dealing with the Giants," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "We had a great game with them last month and it looks like they've done nothing but get better."

The Patriots come off a 21-12 triumph against San Diego in an AFC title game that seems downright pedestrian compared to New York's latest road trip, a 23-20 overtime thriller at Lambeau Field.

"We wouldn't want it any other way," Giants center Shaun O'Hara said of the Super Bowl rematch against an 18-0 juggernaut.

O'Hara was one of the New York starters injured against the Patriots last month, along with former standout USF linebacker Kawika Mitchell and veteran cornerback Sam Madison. Mitchell played the following week at Raymond James Stadium, but O'Hara missed the Tampa Bay game. Madison returned Sunday in Green Bay but didn't start.

Manning's poised effort in that regular-season slugfest against New England has given Peyton's kid brother enhanced confidence.

A fourth-quarter pick by New England's Ellis Hobbs marks the last time Manning has thrown to the wrong jersey. A New York attack that was sloppy for much of the year has grown into a mature unit that rarely places the defense in poor field position.

"We went against every quarterback and everybody said you can't beat that guy," Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "You can't beat Jeff Garcia, you can't beat Tony Romo, you can't beat Brett Favre in cold weather."

Now the NFL's sack leaders retrain their sights on Tom Brady, the league MVP who threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns in the comeback win at Giants Stadium, including a go-ahead 65-yard scoring pass to Randy Moss with 11:06 remaining.

That bomb down the right sideline stunned the crowd and set two major single-season NFL records. Brady's 50th touchdown pass topped Peyton Manning's mark and Moss displaced Jerry Rice in the record book with his 23rd scoring catch.

Moss has been unusually quiet in the playoffs, catching one pass apiece against Jacksonville and San Diego.

While Moss may return to his Pro Bowl form in the rematch at Glendale, Ariz., the Giants (13-6) haven't been the same since finding themselves on a chilly night at the Meadowlands.

The Patriots opened as 14-point favorites, but Giants fans believe their blue-collar club already owns one distinct advantage. The NFC champions will be designated as the road team at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833 or ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT