Were The Giants The Best Team? Or Just Lucky?

The Giants have been complaining that they're not getting the respect they expect coming off the Superbowl. Tom Coughlin said that he was upset that the day after the Superbowl he saw the postseason rankings and saw them at 6.

The best teams in the NFL last season were the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Jags, Cowboys, and Packers.

The Giants got hot at the right time. They had everything clicking at the exact right time of the season much like Pittsburgh got rolling the same way in their Superbowl year. They got to practice against JV quality talent in Buffalo and rolled from there.

They were the hottest team at the end of last season but they weren't the best team.

I understand the need for the team to get "riled up" but I think this is the wrong way to do it.

The Giants have been complaining that they're not getting the respect they expect coming off the Superbowl. Tom Coughlin said that he was upset that the day after the Superbowl he saw the postseason rankings and saw them at 6.

The best teams in the NFL last season were the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Jags, Cowboys, and Packers.

The Giants got hot at the right time. They had everything clicking at the exact right time of the season much like Pittsburgh got rolling the same way in their Superbowl year. They got to practice against JV quality talent in Buffalo and rolled from there.

They were the hottest team at the end of last season but they weren't the best team.

I understand the need for the team to get "riled up" but I think this is the wrong way to do it.

Jaysonguy

I agree, many teams were (and still are) better then the Giants. They're not even the best team in the NFC East.

I don't think this is the wrong way to fire up the team; this is exactly what they did last year toward the end of the season.

The Giants won when it counted. Being "better team" but not able to win when you must win is pointless.

The NFL has playoffs, not some popularity contest where people vote based on stats and hypothetical crap.

The Giants won when it counted. Being "better team" but not able to win when you must win is pointless.

The NFL has playoffs, not some popularity contest where people vote based on stats and hypothetical crap.

duxup

As a Pats fan im prob gonna catch some flak for this, but you play that superbowl 10 times, the pats i think would win 9 of em. It didnt help that they were getting attacked on all sides, including potential trouble with the federal government in the same week. Not to say the Giants weren't a great team, and they did get hot and focused when it mattered. In sumation, the Pats were the best team part of the year, the giants were the best team part of the year

for most of the season no, but during the second quarter against tampa in the playoffs they became the best in the league. they learned a lot playing against the pats the first time.

i think if they played again that same day, the giants still would have won. the pats looked pretty bad the entire game.

that and the fact that the first time they played the pats, it was close. so obviously they stepped it up. its not hard to say the giants were the best in the league by superbowl time.

i doubt the giants would have narrowly escaped the ravens....

The Giants won when it counted. Being "better team" but not able to win when you must win is pointless.

The NFL has playoffs, not some popularity contest where people vote based on stats and hypothetical crap.

duxup

You make a valid point but the Giants are more of a Cinderella story rather then a team destined to win.

No team that pulls that many upsets should be upset when people say they're not the favorites the next season. That's like NC State wondering why they weren't listed as the number 1 team coming off their championship.

[QUOTE="duxup"]

The Giants won when it counted. Being "better team" but not able to win when you must win is pointless.

The NFL has playoffs, not some popularity contest where people vote based on stats and hypothetical crap.

Jaysonguy

You make a valid point but the Giants are more of a Cinderella story rather then a team destined to win.

No team that pulls that many upsets should be upset when people say they're not the favorites the next season. That's like NC State wondering why they weren't listed as the number 1 team coming off their championship.

Well if the Pats or other teams want to hang up a banner that says "We think we were the best team that year and destined to win it all and despite the fact that we lost we think we're better anyway." they can go ahead but arguing your or any other team that couldn't win in the playoffs is better than someone who could get the job done always seems a bit silly.

I guess maybe they could join an alternate league where we even factor in injuries and rhetoric, but in the meantime they play in the NFL and in the NFL you have to win when it counts to prove how good you are.

Everyone knows the rules, if you can't win when you need to win that says something about that team no matter how good people might THINK they are.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"][QUOTE="duxup"]

The Giants won when it counted. Being "better team" but not able to win when you must win is pointless.

The NFL has playoffs, not some popularity contest where people vote based on stats and hypothetical crap.

duxup

You make a valid point but the Giants are more of a Cinderella story rather then a team destined to win.

No team that pulls that many upsets should be upset when people say they're not the favorites the next season. That's like NC State wondering why they weren't listed as the number 1 team coming off their championship.

Well if the Pats or other teams want to hang up a banner that says "We think we were the best team that year and destined to win it all and despite the fact that we lost we think we're better anyway." they can go ahead but arguing your or any other team that couldn't win in the playoffs is better than someone who could get the job done always seems a bit silly.

I guess maybe they could join an alternate league where we even factor in injuries and rhetoric, but in the meantime they play in the NFL and in the NFL you have to win when it counts to prove how good you are.

Everyone knows the rules, if you can't win when you need to win that says something about that team no matter how good people might THINK they are.

Agreed 110%.

And also, in my opinion, winning 4 tough playoff games, on the road, against quality opponents and 2 in EXTREMELY hostile conditions, there's no luck involved. Thats playing with guts and heart.

The sign of a great team is how they overcome adversity. At least thats my opinion.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"][QUOTE="duxup"]

The Giants won when it counted. Being "better team" but not able to win when you must win is pointless.

The NFL has playoffs, not some popularity contest where people vote based on stats and hypothetical crap.

duxup

You make a valid point but the Giants are more of a Cinderella story rather then a team destined to win.

No team that pulls that many upsets should be upset when people say they're not the favorites the next season. That's like NC State wondering why they weren't listed as the number 1 team coming off their championship.

Well if the Pats or other teams want to hang up a banner that says "We think we were the best team that year and destined to win it all and despite the fact that we lost we think we're better anyway." they can go ahead but arguing your or any other team that couldn't win in the playoffs is better than someone who could get the job done always seems a bit silly.

I guess maybe they could join an alternate league where we even factor in injuries and rhetoric, but in the meantime they play in the NFL and in the NFL you have to win when it counts to prove how good you are.

Everyone knows the rules, if you can't win when you need to win that says something about that team no matter how good people might THINK they are.

So what you're saying is that there's no Cinderella stories, every team that wins a championship is the best team.

[QUOTE="duxup"][QUOTE="Jaysonguy"][QUOTE="duxup"]

The Giants won when it counted. Being "better team" but not able to win when you must win is pointless.

The NFL has playoffs, not some popularity contest where people vote based on stats and hypothetical crap.

Jaysonguy

You make a valid point but the Giants are more of a Cinderella story rather then a team destined to win.

No team that pulls that many upsets should be upset when people say they're not the favorites the next season. That's like NC State wondering why they weren't listed as the number 1 team coming off their championship.

Well if the Pats or other teams want to hang up a banner that says "We think we were the best team that year and destined to win it all and despite the fact that we lost we think we're better anyway." they can go ahead but arguing your or any other team that couldn't win in the playoffs is better than someone who could get the job done always seems a bit silly.

I guess maybe they could join an alternate league where we even factor in injuries and rhetoric, but in the meantime they play in the NFL and in the NFL you have to win when it counts to prove how good you are.

Everyone knows the rules, if you can't win when you need to win that says something about that team no matter how good people might THINK they are.

So what you're saying is that there's no Cinderella stories, every team that wins a championship is the best team.

I'm saying the best team might not always be the team that people calculate is the best team. Some people might call them Cinderella stories, but that it is all about perception.

The Giants didn't just happen to the Pats while they were standing at a bus stop not paying attention, the Pats were on the field too. If the Pats were as great as people say they were they should have beaten the Giants, convincingly even. They couldn't do it.

You can't win a Super Bowl on luck. It's a game of inches and stragedy. They didn't get 'hot' at the right time, they just wanted it more.

The Giants were the suprise of the playoffs, the Patriots had their share of success in the playoffs too, hoping to keep the streak up. The Patriots lost because of the Helmet Catch, the stupid 4th down decision by Belichick, and the PERFECT SEASON PRESSURE. But the REAL THING is, the Giants played their best football, even in the Super Bowl. But, you can't call a team good, unless they REPEAT. One Super Bowl ring is NOT ENOUGH. This is not coming from a Patriots fan either.killazunlimited

So the '85 Bears weren't good? '91 Redskins weren't good? I think your statement is completely inaccurate.

And the Giants have won 3 super bowls, not just one.

The Giants D won them a Super Bowl ring, and they got lucky in a lot of spots so why is it so hard to believe that they are not the top team in the league? If the Patriots CB held onto the ball when it was thrown right to him with less than 2 minutes to go the end result would have been the Pats hoisting another trophy. If Green Bay would have held onto the ball the last two possessions in the playoffs they would have been heading to the Super Bowl.

They should just be thanking God they got a ring at all, and just hope the future is as lucky as their past season was. Its like March Madness, the best all around team doesn't usually win it all. Thats why we have tournaments, for the outside chance the underdog comes through when it counts. Thats what happened.

They shouldn't even care if people don't label them the best team or not. All that matters are those Super Bowl rings on their fingers. CommanderShiro

QFT

The Giants were the suprise of the playoffs, the Patriots had their share of success in the playoffs too, hoping to keep the streak up. The Patriots lost because of the Helmet Catch, the stupid 4th down decision by Belichick, and the PERFECT SEASON PRESSURE. But the REAL THING is, the Giants played their best football, even in the Super Bowl. But, you can't call a team good, unless they REPEAT. One Super Bowl ring is NOT ENOUGH. This is not coming from a Patriots fan either.killazunlimited

Who are you a fan of? Just out of curiousity. I think your extremely wrong too.

Brady got MANHANDLED, and the Offense did well enough to win.If thats what it took to win SO BE IT. It might not've been dominant or pretty, but a win is a win and they won on the biggest stage in football.

Its funny when people get upset from being tagged as "lucky". Whats wrong with being lucky if it gets you to the top? Instead of a getting slaughtered in the Super Bowl, which is what most people thought would happen, the Giants Defense played well, Brady threw an easy touchdown pass wayyyyy off, the Giants offense got lucky breaks all night, and it resulted in a great upset. I am not saying the Giants suck by any means but they got lucky and thats fine too.

If the Giants played the Pats 9 more times, the Giants would most likely be 1-10. But thats the beauty of the playoffs.

If you go by luck, then they could beat the pats 10 out 10 times, if its only based off luck.

No luck in this game, its called rising the challenge and outplaying your opponent. Luck is just an excuse for the losing team to claim for the winning team.

If you go by luck, then they could beat the pats 10 out 10 times, if its only based off luck.

No luck in this game, its called rising the challenge and outplaying your opponent. Luck is just an excuse for the losing team to claim for the winning team.

mrgab

Its funny when people get upset from being tagged as "lucky". Whats wrong with being lucky if it gets you to the top? Instead of a getting slaughtered in the Super Bowl, which is what most people thought would happen, the Giants Defense played well, Brady threw an easy touchdown pass wayyyyy off, the Giants offense got lucky breaks all night, and it resulted in a great upset. I am not saying the Giants suck by any means but they got lucky and thats fine too.

If the Giants played the Pats 9 more times, the Giants would most likely be 1-10. But thats the beauty of the playoffs.

Lostboy1224

Cause saying they "got lucky" is diminishing the achievement?

This is basically the textbook definition of how to get riled up.

Beyond that, I agree the Giants aren't the best team in the league, but neither were the Steelers when they won the SB two years ago. From what I've seen, the Giants haven't gotten close to the same respect the Steelers got. Also they weren't "lucky", they were hot. There's a difference. The Giants didn't win b/c the borderline calls went for them or b/c of injuries to the Pats- that'd be luck. The Giants simply played better. Yes I admit they still aren't better than the Pats, but that game they were. The Giants didn't win b/c they were the best team or b/c they were lucky. They won b/c they were hot.

its hard to be lucky in the nfl. the game requires too much strategy.

however, there are sometimes when there is luck. for example when the patriots beat baltimore. if that timeout wasnt called (it shouldnt have been, by the book) then they would be 17-2. the patriots are a good team, but they arent the best team. the best team knows when to rest their starters. the pats dont know anything about that so they got exhausted. that alone makes them not the best team. if you cant get it done right, you didnt get it done period.

THey won the Super Bowl didnt they? THerefore theyre the best team. They are the World Champions. They may not be the sexiest team of indiviual players, but they work well as a team, and thats what matters.

THey won the Super Bowl didnt they? THerefore theyre the best team. They are the World Champions. They may not be the sexiest team of indiviual players, but they work well as a team, and thats what matters.

sullivan352

Exactly. To win the Superbowl you have to be the best, not lucky. To even get to the Superbowl requires incredible skill. The Giants were the best team people have to learn to accept this.

Anyone who watched the pats season could tell you that they didn't play up to their potential in the super bowl. It was ugly. I grew up in New England and i grew up watching the Pats. They should have won, the Patriots were the better team. But its football. It's just 1 game. if it was a best out of 4 i truly believe the pats would win but thats not football. Anyone can win on any day. Manning did throw an unbelievable pass and Tyree made a ridiculously good catch. But stuff like that happens in football. It breaks my heart. :cry:

For me, to be called the best is coming through when it counts. Thats the mark of a Championship team, and to not show up on the most important game of the year to me takes you down a few notches when it comes to greatness.

The Giants went out and earned that Championship, as every Championship team has to do.

THey won the Super Bowl didnt they? THerefore theyre the best team. They are the World Champions. They may not be the sexiest team of indiviual players, but they work well as a team, and thats what matters.

sullivan352

Interesting

So you think there is no such thing as an underdog, no such thing as a Cinderella team.

Whatever teams wins is the best team

The Pats could not handle all the attention and media pressure. 2 weeks before the Super Bowl all you saw on ESPN and other sports networks were Tom Brady's ankle and Spygate. The Giants got no attention and it was for the better. When gameday came though the Giants brought blitz packages that Patriots could not stop. Double Moss on the outside and blitz 5 or 6 and you can have a hayday with that. Add the fact that you had Osi and Strathan rushing on the outside and he was a defensive show to behold. Also, playing them the last week of the season helped as well. They could not stop their regular season record of 16-0, but they stop their SB dreams from coming true.

[QUOTE="sullivan352"]

THey won the Super Bowl didnt they? THerefore theyre the best team. They are the World Champions. They may not be the sexiest team of indiviual players, but they work well as a team, and thats what matters.

Jaysonguy

Interesting

So you think there is no such thing as an underdog, no such thing as a Cinderella team.

Whatever teams wins is the best team

Well im a Giants fan so its hard to say the Giants got lucky, but they are Champions so i think they are the best. Thres no such thing as a Cinderella team, they are just teams that people dont pay attention to, even though they might be the best team. All of the peoples attention was on the Pats who set all the records for their offence. Plain and simple, the Giants were the best team last year.

Can i go with neither? They weren't the best team but i don't think they got lucky either.dcowboys3315