the first one (way back when it was dark the first time) was a strange game in that there was only one offensive touchdown per team all the way through, and one defensive touchdown, something like six turnovers, one safety, and 8 field goals (between the two teams). smith seems to have come down to earth as quarterback...he still has the highest rating in the league since coming in to replace bunting, but it's mostly because he's riding the wave of those first two crazy games. we ended up winning 22-19, but since i don't really remember anything from yesterday/today, i have no pictures or anecdotes. it was a really weird, highly offensive game, but nobody could get in the end zone. the deciding factor was really a rashan holman touchdown on a punt that bounced off the punt returner's head as he was running under it and rolled into rashan's arms for a 20 yard run and touchdown late in the game.
the second game took place in a crushing FOG an RAIN and was even WEIRDER.
on the very first drive, the giants took the lead 3-0 when a field goal landed on the crossbar and actually balanced there for a split second before rolling over the edge for the three points.
the niners countered immediately with a drive featuring three 20-yard bowes runs, and things seemed to be well in hand. for a minute. then smith fumbled on the sideline during a quarterback sneak and strahan recovered in what was obviously one of the game's fake "error" calls, as the ball was clearly out of bounds. the very next play however, the giants running back got absolutely karate chopped in half and fumbled back, leading to a niner touchdown.
there was even an altercation after the play on account of the sheer brutality involved.
then it was 7-3. a few seconds later, jeremy shockey went 78 yards for a touchdown and made it 10-7. for a game that was being played in mud and fog, the usual no-offense-in-adverse-conditions condition didn't seem to be applying. things went back and forth around midfield for the rest of the half, including a giants punt that was turned into a first down due a roughing the kicker call and a giants interception that was given back to the niners due to a pass interference call.
at halftime it was 20-7 giants, and they had amassed 311 yards to the niners' 101. something changed significantly (apparently) in the second half because the giants ended with 390 yards and 20 points to the niners' 28. it didn't help the giants that akili smith led the team to a 12 for 16 third down conversion rate, including two touchdowns on third and long, including this toss to bunting on third and goal from the 21:
the giants were outscored 21-0 in the second half and put up 2 more fumbles and an interception...
last game of the season probably tomorrow against the packers. brett favre is already injured so i can't break his face this year like we did last year. pity.
bowes is 48 yards shy of 2000 on the season and 85 shy of his personal all-time rushing record of 2036. he also taught the giants an important lesson tonight, which was "GET OFF THE TRACKS WHEN THE TRAIN'S COMIN' THROUGH!!"
No comments:
Post a Comment