In the wonderful world of professional sports, the hungry and the hunted can change before your very eyes.
Just a year ago, the Giants were the team that overcame a rough midseason to rally late in the year and went on a ridiculous hot streak that they rode all the way to the title. This year, to our astonishment, the Birds could be very well following in their footsteps.
I had an inkling pretty early on Sunday that the Birds could be moving to the next round. After a non descript run play in the first quarter, Derek Ward went after B Dawk after a borderline hit. Stew Bradley quickly interceded and pushed Ward away from Dawk and a couple other Birds got into his face. Shockingly, none of the G Men came to the rescue of one of their guys. It sure looked like the Gints were not as hyped up to play as the Birds, which was absolutely stunning considering the stakes.
While that play was the key to demonstrating the emotions each team was playing with, the other key plays were made by D Mac on the drive that gave the Birds the lead for good. On the 3rd and 20 and 3rd and 10 first down conversions, it sure looked like Donovan turned the clock back about 5 or 6 years as he moved around in the pocket to let the open man uncover and then delivered a perfect strike that allowed Avant and Buck, respectively, run for the first down. Other than the bomb to D Jax late in the game, these two plays were the lonely highlights by the offense as today's game was won by the guys on the other side of the ball.
Just a year ago, the Giants were the team that overcame a rough midseason to rally late in the year and went on a ridiculous hot streak that they rode all the way to the title. This year, to our astonishment, the Birds could be very well following in their footsteps.
I had an inkling pretty early on Sunday that the Birds could be moving to the next round. After a non descript run play in the first quarter, Derek Ward went after B Dawk after a borderline hit. Stew Bradley quickly interceded and pushed Ward away from Dawk and a couple other Birds got into his face. Shockingly, none of the G Men came to the rescue of one of their guys. It sure looked like the Gints were not as hyped up to play as the Birds, which was absolutely stunning considering the stakes.
While that play was the key to demonstrating the emotions each team was playing with, the other key plays were made by D Mac on the drive that gave the Birds the lead for good. On the 3rd and 20 and 3rd and 10 first down conversions, it sure looked like Donovan turned the clock back about 5 or 6 years as he moved around in the pocket to let the open man uncover and then delivered a perfect strike that allowed Avant and Buck, respectively, run for the first down. Other than the bomb to D Jax late in the game, these two plays were the lonely highlights by the offense as today's game was won by the guys on the other side of the ball.
Seriously, what more can you say about the defense? This is the best group of Eagles defenders since the stellar '91 defense of Reggie White, Jerome Brown and Crew. They keep making play after play and the surprising thing is that everyone contributes. You see B Dawk make a play in the run game, then you see Stew Bradley stuff a running play, or you'll see Juqua Parker string out a run to the outside, and then you'll see Trent Cole pressure the QB into making a bad thrown. The two fourth down and short stops were brilliant examples of gang tackling and team defense.
Today, they set the tone with big play after big play, highlighted by another Asante Samuel pick and huge return. Plus, as my buddy the Captain said, "I'm not getting nervous until we give up a TD." The Giants never scored a TD, so I guess he never got nervous. Sure, the offense is sporadic as hell, but the way the defense is playing right now, can you honestly not see this team advancing to Tampa?
I'm just going to enjoy the ride because if this Eagles team is to continue to mirror the '07 Giants, then we have two phenomenal games left!
2 comments:
T - I knew the Giants were done, when they only got 3 points on the first series, wasting a great runback from Bradshaw.
I love this line from Gene Wojekowski (however you spell it)from espn.com:
"The Eagles are about as elegant as dirt. They leave deep-tissue bruises. If it were up to free safety Brian Dawkins, he'd hit you when you stepped off the bus."
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