This was the toughest loss I can think of. I mean, last year was bad, it took me a few weeks to turn on the tv; I missed the Super Bowl for the first time in a good decade or so. But this one is worst. I was pretty confident the defense had Eli's number. The almost sack play basically won the game. I'm not sure how he got away. If you ask me 99 times out of 100 he is sacked, but he got it, and the catch was spectacular.
Even after the near INTs, and the huge **** up by Hobbs, I still thought Tom could pull it off. He almost did, but I can't even blame him. He was hit every single play. Not to take anything away from the Giants' front four, but it seems like the O-line laid an egg. If it wasn't getting pushed back so Tom couldn't step up, it was an offside call for a 3rd and long. Or, of course, a sack. You can't expect to win with those mental errors, especially with all that pressure.
That blown coverage by Rodney was the turn around for the Giants, he usually never gives that much room. But it was a great pass, and maybe he underestimated Boss. Who knows. After that, the offense finally looked alive for that drive, but the defense couldn't hold on.
I mostly feel bad for Seau, he deserves a ring. And he played his ass off. Maybe he'll be back next year, even if it he plays a minimal role. I'd love to see him get a ring.
I'm already looking forward to next season. Tom will have a year under his belt with his receivers, I think the pressure will be far less than this. So he'll be fine. If Moss is re-signed, which I'm sure he will, and hopefully Donte' or Gaffney are re-signed as well, there's a great tandem.
There are a lot of questions on defense; Bruschi might retire, same for Seau, Samuel wants big money, so he might leave. I'm hoping there aren't a lot of losses, because the draft should be good. And the depth is needed.
Anyway, this was hard to swallow, but I've accepted it. For some weird reason I still like Eli. He doesn't have the annoying-ness that his brother has, so better him than Mr. Egghead. Of course, if we play them again next year, I want him to be buried to the ground every single play.
Manning!