Archive for the ‘NFL’
Antonio Pierce Interview on WFAN
Antonio Pierce talked to Mike Francesa of WFAN today about beating up on the Dallas Cowboys and heading to Philly for an NFC East Showdown with the Eagles. Pierce usually sounds like an intelligent, confident player in these weekly interviews. However, AP was arrogant yet hysterical after sending the Cowboys back to Dallas realizing that they might not make the Playoffs. This interview was full of one-liners worth listening to. To hear the interview in its entirety, click here.
My Thoughts on Giants Victory Over Cowboys
Before I begin, allow me to provide you with this disclaimer…I hate the Cowboys more than any professional sports franchise. Jerry Jones flew his pathetic, injured team to New York, and the Giants showed America how small his Cowboys are. When it rains, it pours…and it’s pouring in Little D. The Cowboys began the game with their second string quarterback, Brad Johnson, and finished it with their third string quarterback, Brooks Bollinger. Johnson was unable to put together a successful drive, and Bollinger only put together one successful scoring drive in the 4th Quarter when he found the wide receiver that was crying after Giants beat the Cowboys in the Divisional Playoffs, yeah T.O. Do you remember when Troy Aikman said the Cowboys have a “great defense” during the Cowboys-Cardinals game? Of course you do. This “great defense” was ranked 10th in the NFL in yards allowed (298.6) and 17th in points allowed (23) prior to kickoff. When was the last time you saw a “great defense” give up over 20 points per game? I guess the last time you watched a game through the eyes of Troy Aikman. I have no idea how Aikman is able to not only keep his job when speaking in absolutes without anything to back it up. FOX Sports doesn’t even remove him from their #1 team. The Giants’ offense put up all 35 points on the Cowboys’ “great defense”. Now the team that was already crowned the Super Bowl Champions before the season began already has 4 losses, it forces them to have to go at least 6-1 after their bye week to have any hopes of winning the NFC East. It doesn’t look like that is happening. Oh well…I cannot wait to hear what Jerry Jones has to say to his pathetic team this week. I absolutely loved how the Giants never let up when they were down, and I hope that Big Blue can continue to dominate the rest of their opponents in ‘08.
Offense
The Giants offense was extremely productive yesterday, but they did have a few miscues worth noting. The offense found the end zone 5 times, but they turned the ball over 3 times. Eli Manning had decent statistics as he went 16/27 which is a 59.26% completion percentage and threw for 147 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT. I was really pissed off when Eli threw the interception because of where they were on the field which made it way to easy for Mike Jenkins to return it 23 yards to the house. Besides the interception, the Cowboys’ defense had 3 Sacks and 2 Forced Fumbles which were recovered by them. WR Steve Smith had 5 receptions for 29 yards while WR Plaxico Burress had 3 receptions for 34 yards. Eli threw his 3 Touch Down passes to Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, and Amani Toomer. The Cowboys didn’t want any part of stopping the Giants’ rushing attack because the Giants rushed for 200 yards on 34 attempts which is 5.88 yards per carry. Brandon Jacobs led with 117 yards on 17 carries. Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward each had 1 rushing TD. The Giants’ offense put up 35 of the 35 points.
Defense
The Giants defense put on another show for America yesterday. They were just nasty for all four quarters. The Giants’ defense had 4 Sacks, 3 INTs, and 1 Forced Fumble. Justin Tuck had 2.5 Sacks, Mathias Kiwanuka has 1 Sack, and Jay Alford had a 0.5 Sack. Corey Webster had 2 Interceptions during the game, and James Butler had 1 interception. Antonio Pierce stripped the ball out of Terrell Owens’ hands which made me laugh. I was surprised that AP did not give T.O. any popcorn. You cannot ask for better stat lines than this against one of the best teams in the NFL. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 35 points.
Special Teams
Carney was 0/0 in Field Goal Attempts which shows you how much of a lead the Giants had. The Cowboys also didn’t have any field goal attempts. Domenik Hixon along with the defense gave the Giants great field position all day. The Giants’ special teams put up 0 of the 35 points.
So the Giants won their seventh game which makes them 7-1. How will Big Blue fair in the next 8 games? I predicted them to be 7-1 after the first 8 games, and they are 7-1. I got 2 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers. I predicted the Giants to be 5-3 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Giants will travel to Philly to take on the Eagles on Sunday Night Football.
Video: Cowboys - Giants Recap
ESPN discussed the Giants victory over the Cowboys.
Week 9 PostGame: Cowboys 14 - Giants 35
The Giants devoured the Cowboys who came limping into Giants Stadium today giving Big Blue their seventh win of the 2008 Regular Season.
1st Quarter
The Giants scored on their opening drive as they went 75 yards, and Eli Manning capped it off by throwing a floater to Kevin Boss who was along the right sideline at the 1 yardline and ran in for a 13-yard Touch Down with 8:47 remaining.
On 1st and 10 at the Giants’ 25 yardline, Brad Johnson threw an interception to Corey Webster who returned it 57 yards down the right sideline to the Cowboys’ 27 yardline with 2:48 remaining.
The Giants capitalized on the Cowboys’ turnover as Eli Manning completed a 5-yard Touch Down pass to Steve Smith who was in the middle of field at about the 1 yardline and ran it into the end zone for a Touch Down with 0:41 remaining.
2nd Quarter
On 3rd and 7, Justin Tuck sacked Brad Johnson on the first play of the quarter for a loss of 5 yards with 14:56 remaining which led to a Cowboys punt.
On 3rd and 12, the ball came out of Eli Manning’s hands as he brought his arm back, and DeMarcus Ware recovered the football at the Giants’ 16 yardline with 11:25 remaining.
On 2nd and 11, Johnson fired a 5-yard pass to Owens over the middle, but Antonio Pierce stripped the ball out of Terrell Owens‘ hands and Michael Johnson recovered it at the 6 yardline with 10:40 remaining.
On 2nd and 8, Mike Jenkins jumped the route as Eli Manning tried to hook up with Burress along the right sideline, and Jenkins returned it down the sideline untouched a 23-yard Touch Down return with 8:38 remaining.
On 2nd and 6, Bradie James sacked Eli Manning for a 6-yard loss with 7:43 remaining. Ward reception for 17, Ward for 9, Jacobs, . Later on during the same drive, Chris Canty also sacked Eli Manning for a loss of 12 yards on 3rd and 10 with 4:58 remaining which led to a Giants punt.
The Cowboys were marching down the field as Barber kept moving the chains, but then Brad Johnson threw an interception to Corey Webster along the right sideline and he ran it out of bounds at the 48 yardline with 2:48 remaining.
The Giants ate up 1:20 as they went on a five play scoring drive before the end of the first half, and Eli Manning found Amani Toomer in the middle of the end zone for a 11-yard Touch Down with 1:28 remaining.
As the Cowboys were trying to put some points on the scoreboard before Halftime, Brad Johnson got sacked by Jay Alford and Justin Tuck for a loss of 7 yards on 2nd and 10 with 1:09 remaining.
3rd Quarter
The Cowboys replaced Johnson with Bollinger, and Brooks Bollinger threw an interception to James Butler on his first pass attempt as Butler returned it to the Cowboys’ 18 yardline with 14:06 remaining.
It only took the Giants two running plays by Jacobs to reach the end zone, and Brandon Jacobs ran up the middle breaking three tackles for a 12-yard Touch Down run with 13:16 remaining.
Bollinger handed the ball off to Barber who gained 3 yards before Barber lost 12 yards on the next reception which set up a 3rd and 19 where Justin Tuck and Fred Robbins sacked Brooks Bollinger for a loss of 9 yards with 11:51 remaining which forced the Cowboys to punt from their own 2 yardline.
The Giants second possession resulted in a Punt.
The Cowboys third possession resulted in a Punt.
With 7:31 remaining, DeMarcus Ware knocked the ball out of Eli Manning’s hands on the first play of the drive and James Bradie fell on it at the 25 yardline.
4th Quarter
The Cowboys were finally able to put a successful scoring drive together as they went 75 yards, and they capped it off when Brooks Bollinger hooked up with Terrell Owens in the left side of the end zone for an 8-yard Touch Down pass with 14:07 remaining.
The Giants immediately retaliated on their next possession as Jacobs had a huge 31-yard run which moved the Giants into Cowboys’ territory, and Derrick Ward ran 17 yards up the middle for a Touch Down on 2nd and Goal with 8:20 remaining.
The Cowboys fifth possession began at the 33 yardline. With 7:32 remaining, Mathias Kiwanuka came around and sacked Brooks Bollinger from the blindside for a loss of 4 yards on a drive which ultimately led to a punt.
Wrap Up
Eli Manning went 16/27 and threw for 147 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT.
Brandon Jacobs led in Rushing Attempts and Rushing Yards with 17 and 117 respectively.
Steve Smith led in Receptions with 5 and Plaxico Burress led in Receiving Yards with 34.
Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward each had a Rushing TD, and Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, and Amani Toomer each had 1 Receiving TD.
John Carney went 0/0 in Field Goal Attempts which shows you what kind of game it was.
Sammy Knight and Justin Tuck led the team in Tackles with 5.
Justin Tuck had 2.5 Sacks while Mathias Kiwanuka had 1 Sack and Jay Alford each had 0.5 Sacks.
Corey Webster had 2 INTs, and James Butler had 1 INT.
Antonio Pierce each had 1 Forced Fumble.
The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.
Week 9 PreGame: Cowboys (5-3) at Giants (6-1)
The Dallas Cowboys will face the New York Giants at Giants Stadium.
TV Info:
Game: Dallas Cowboys (5-3) @ New York Giants (6-1)
TV: FOX (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver)
Radio: WFAN (Bob Papa, Carl Banks, Howard Cross)
Time: November 2, 2008; 4:15 p.m. ET
Game Notes:
- This is the first time the Giants will face the Cowboys in the 2008 Season, and it is only the second division game of the season.
- The Giants and Cowboys will battle for the 93rd time Sunday in Giants Stadium.
- Dallas leads the regular season series, 54-35-2. The Giants really need to make a dent in that record by sweeping the Cowboys this season.
- In 2007, Dallas won both regular season meetings (by 10 and 11 points) on their way to an NFC-best 13-3 record and what they were certain would be a conference championship and a berth in the Super Bowl, but the Giants had their own Super Bowl ambitions when they upset the Cowboys in the Divisional Playoffs which was the last time these two teams faced each other.
- The Giants hold a 17-14 advantage over the Cowboys in games played in Giants Stadium.
- The Giants hold a 1-0-0 advantage over the Cowboys in the Postseason.
- Last week, New York defeated Pittsburgh 21-14 to improve to 6-1.
- Last week, Dallas beat Tampa Bay 13-9 to improve to 5-3.
- Dallas’ offense is missing several key players, including quarterback Tony Romo, who will miss his third game since fracturing the pinky on his throwing hand at Arizona on Oct. 12, running back Felix Jones and guard Kyle Kosier. Four-time Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten reportedly suffered a fractured rib last week vs. Tampa Bay, but will try to play.
- The Giants’ total offense is ranked third in the NFL averaging 378.9 yards per game. The Giants are first in rushing (157.3), thirteenth in passing (221.6), and sixth in scoring (27.3).
- The Cowboys’ total offense is ranked sixth in the NFL averaging 365.5 yards per game. The Cowboys are tenth in rushing (120.1), eighth in passing (245.4), and tenth in scoring (25.2).
- The Giants’ total defense is ranked third in the NFL allowing 271.4 yards per game. The Giants are seventh against the run (86.0), fifth against the pass (185.4), and sixth in points allowed (16.4).
- The Cowboys’ total defense is ranked tenth in the NFL allowing 298.6 yards per game. The Cowboys are eleventh against the run (95.5), fourteenth against the pass (203.1), and seventeenth in points allowed (23).
- Last week, Giants DE Mathias Kiwanuka got the game ball for applying constant pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and forcing him into several errant throws. Kiwanuka finished the game with a career-high three sacks and a forced fumble.
- Last week, Cowboys K Sam Paulescu got the game ball for injecting energy into what seemed like a lifeless team in the midst of a slump. The Cowboys started this game sluggishly, too, looking much like the team that had lost three of its last four, until punter Sam Paulescu made a big hit to turn the momentum in the first quarter.
- The Line: The Giants are favored by 9. Over/Under is 41.0.
Injury Report:
Cowboys - Out of Game: RB Felix Jones (Hamstring), CB Terence Newman (Abdomen), QB Tony Romo (Right Finger), G Kyle Kosier (Foot). Questionable: TE Jason Witten (Ribs). Probable: CB Anthony Henry (Thigh), LB Anthony Spencer (Hamstring), S Patrick Watkins (Neck).
Giants - Out of Game: CB Kevin Dockery (Back), LB Gerris Wilkinson (Knee). Probable: LB Bryan Kehl (Toe), DT Fred Robbins (Hand).
Quote of the week:
“Very physical, very intense, great rivalries, great franchise rivalries, great city rivalries, great team rivalries. Lots of emotion poured into the games. Everyone is aware throughout the league that you have a limited number of divisional games. So there is no question that every game is critically important. But these games carry tremendous impact.” - Coach Tom Coughlin on NFC East games
Open Thread:
Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Giants fans from around the world.
Cowboys/Giants Preview Podcast
Die Hard Giants Fan would like to wish all of you a Happy Halloween! Matt Loede of NFLGridironGab invited me to call him up for a Q&A Session about the Cowboys-Giants game on Sunday. I was a virgin of the Podcast, and I sure sounded like one so I apologize to you if you go ahead and listen to it. To hear the Cowboys-Giants preview in it’s entirety, click here. It is part of the ‘Gridiron Preview Week Nine Podcast Show’ which covers various games so you can fast forward to 9:00 minutes if you just want to listen to the part about the Cowboys-Giants, and it lasts about 8 minutes. Thanks again to Matt for the opportunity.
New York Giants Bloggers Wanted
At the beginning of the 2008 Season, I wrote a post that we are looking to hire two Giants Bloggers for Die Hard Giants Fan. So far, nobody accepted the offer so I am repeating myself hoping to get different results as we are about to head into Week 9. We are looking for one Blogger to write between midnight and 2 p.m. and another Blogger to write between 2 p.m. and midnight.
Die Hard Giants Fan had a very successful rookie season, and we are looking to improve upon what we’ve started. Please see the ‘Write for Us’ page if you are interested.
Video: Cowboys - Giants Preview
Tim Hasselbeck of ESPN talks about what the Cowboys need to do to have success vs. the Giants.
Giants Overtake Steelers for No. 2 Spot in Power Rankings
This is your Week 8 Power Rankings from a Giants fans’ perspective of course. Big Blue was ranked No. 2 by ESPN and No. 3 by CBSSportsline last week so I expect that they move up at least to the No. 2 spot on both after beating the Steelers head-to-head. Let’s find out.
After Week 7, ESPN had the Jints in the No. 2 spot behind the Titans. After Week 8, ESPN has the Giants in the No. 2 spot again in their Power Rankings. The Giants have been in the No. 2 spot for consecutive weeks now, but the Titans deserve the top spot as the only undefeated team remaining. The Panthers, the Steelers, and the Redskins round out their Top 5 this week. The Cowboys climbed from No. 15 to No. 8 after beating the Bucs. The Eagles climbed a notch from No. 11 to No. 10 after beating the Falcons. All 4 NFC East teams are back in the top 10 since all 4 teams won in Week 8.
After Week 7, CBSSportsline had the G-MEN in the No. 3 spot behind the Titans and the Steelers. After Week 8, CBSSportsline has the Giants in the No. 2 spot in their Power Rankings behind the Titans. The Redskins, the Panthers, and the Steelers round out their top 5. The Cowboys climbed up from No. 10 to No. 6. The Eagles climbed up from No. 17 to No. 10. So all 4 NFC East teams made their top 10 also.
4 out of 4 NFC Beast teams won their games which got them in the top 10 of both Power Rankings. We’ll have to keep track of the division this week since the banged up Cowboys will face the Giants, the Eagles are playing in Seattle where the Seahawks barely lose, and the Redskins will host the Steelers on Monday Night Football. Maybe all of the other NFC East teams will lose. The Panthers are earning respect now by climbing their way into the top 5 of both Power Rankings. The Giants are 6-1 with a 1-0 division record. Big Blue has 9 tough opponents left. Dallas is coming to the Meadowlands with a bunch of injured players. After Dallas, they will face the Eagles, the Ravens, the Cardinals, and the Redskins. I can’t wait till we play them. I’m not upset at all with the Power Rankings this week. Our boys in blue are ranked better than 30 teams so what else could I ask for? Not losing to Cleveland…We won’t face the Titans head-to-head so we should pass them once they lose a game.
