Ever since the Giants were officially eliminated from playoff contention after losing in San Diego last week, coach Tom Coughlin has been preaching the gospel of professional pride and still pressing on even as their post-season dreams were long vanquished. Whatever words of wisdom that Coughlin had in his repertoire of decades of experience usually carry heavy enough weight that his players respond in effort if not on the scoreboard.
On this day, however, against the NFC’s best in the Seattle Seahawks, whatever Coughlin had said was only noise, as the Giants appeared to finally bottom out on a season that never seemed to be on their side from the opening play from scrimmage of this season with two more games yet to go.
Eli Manning’s Fall From Grace is Startling: Manning’s nightmare season continued even to a degree that likely causes even his staunchest supporters to wonder where he’s headed long-term. Manning was picked off a career-worst five times today, setting a new career high in interceptions. It’s clear that Manning has no faith in his offensive line (and with good reason, as the collective effort of the group is essentially like water through a screen door) , and on the rare times Manning is afforded time, his inner clock tells him to rush. Add in bad luck and receivers who just don’t fight as often as they should and you have a quarterback with a shattered confidence for the first time in his career. Andre Brown was of no help, either (17 yards on 11 carries), so once again, Eli had little to no help. Thus, continued forced decisions that ended up with disastrous results.
Perry Fewell’s Troops Came to Play: For all of the Giants ineptitude on offense, the defense has continued their strong play as they kept the Giants in the game. Unfortunately, it was all for naught, as no level of effort would’ve helped the offense.
The Seahawks Looked the Part: They have it all. They are a machine. Russell Wilson is the Truth. Marshawn Lynch is every bit of Beast Mode that he has always been. The Giants made their day relatively easy, but Pete Carroll (despite the questionable ethics of a challenge on a Victor Cruz catch when the game was all but out of reach and Cruz seemingly knocked out for a moment) has some amazing Voodoo going on right now. The hype is real and justified.
Up Next: The Giants head to Detroit for a date with Megatron and his fellow Decepti-Lions. The Giants have no way to but up from here, win or lose.
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