New York Giants Swagger To Carry Them To The Superbowl?
Written by Adrian Gregory Glover // January 21, 2012 // NFL // 3 Comments
Four quarters, Two halves and 60 minutes. That is all that separates the New York Giants from heading to Lucas Oil Stadium for the right to play for the Lombardi trophy.
Eli is taking control.
This wouldn’t be Osi’s first, or Tom’s first trip to a Super Bowl. Not Corey’s, and certainly, not Eli’s.
Four years ago, they had their moment.
It was back in 2007 where the magic number was four. Four wins would equal a Super Bowl Championship. That math equation was solved.
Four years later, the magic number has been reduced to two. Two wins until these 2011 Giants write their own script. Two wins until the 2011 Road Warriors cement their own legacy in NFL history as one of the most unlikely champions in Super Bowl history.
In 2007, it was a week 15 loss to the Washington Redskins, their third straight at home, which left the Giants playoff hopes in limbo. While a win would have locked up a postseason slot for the Giants, the loss left many wondering, will the Giants even make the playoffs?
We all know how that season ended.
Here we are, four years later, and another week 15 loss to the Redskins left the 2011 playoffs much in doubt for Big Blue. And this season, while there won’t be the undefeated New England Patriots waiting for the Giants inIndianapolis; I know at least the Giants will be there.
But unlike in 2007, where 72,928 screaming cheeseheads and one quarterback wearing the number four jersey stood in the way of a trip to the Super Bowl, on Sunday, a sea of red consisting of 70,207 people, will be envisioning moments of the time number sixteen found number eighty-seven in the end zone twenty years ago, hoping that moment will take a backseat, while a new chapter in San Francisco 49ers history will be written.
On Sunday, two former number one picks with battle for the second time in conference championship history (Manning in 2004, Smith in 2005). On Sunday, the Giants will play for a trip to Super Bowl 46.
From feeling downright at home at Lambeau Field in the postseason for the second straight time, the comparisons between the 2007 and 2011 team will continue. From the dominating defensive front-four, to the “Catch” Part II, the 2011 Giants are creating their own legacy, and so is Alex Smith.
Smith had his one shining moment during the thriller at Candlestick last weekend. As the clock was ticking on not only Smith’s career, but on the 49ers season, Smith had a career defining moment. A moment that for some will last a lifetime, but a moment that for the 49ers, will be their last great moment of the 2011 season.
There are certain moments in a season where players have a chance to do something magical, to do something special, and to do something great.
On Sunday, the 2011 Giants have that chance. A chance to play for the Lombardi Trophy. A chance to be a Super Bowl champion forever.
One hour is all the separates the Giants from getting that chance. Sunday at 6:30 EST, the clock begins to tick.
The clock is eventually going to run-out on the Giants season. But it’s not going to be on Sunday.
-Adam Rosen
