This year has been bizarre to say the least. A future Hall of Famer going out for the season in the first six minutes of the campaign, teams that are "rebuilding" are in playoff contention, ties, blowouts, a Cardinal team going to the playoffs, and a team going 0-16. You name it, we have had it.
This year, like last year, has been historic and wild.
Most notably: The 2007 New England Patriots.
But, how would the best team in the league this year stack up with arguably one of the best of all time?
The 16-0 Patriots vs. the 10-1 New York Giants
The Patriots were crowned as the greatest team of all time last year. Why not? I mean they did break numerous records such as most points scored in a season, most touchdowns scored in a season, and most victories. Almost every team they faced they obliterated, and we fell in love with them.
They were praised to the levels of Gods. They were the "greatest team of all time."
So how could any team, much less the Giants, be better than them?
The 7-9 Buffalo Bills, the 4-12 New York Jets, and the 1-15 Miami Dolphins.
That was the division that the New England Patriots played in last year. This equals an automatic six games that are cakewalk games. This is just under half the games they played, and only counting their division.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Last year, the Patriots only played six playoff teams all year in the regular season. They are the Chargers, Cowboys, Redskins, Colts, Steelers, and Giants.
The Chargers, Redskins, and Steelers they faced at home. I was reluctant to even include the Redskins in this as everyone seems to forget they made the playoffs last year. The road playoff teams they faced, Cowboys, Colts, and Giants, is far from impressive as well.
People often argue that the Patriots are the greatest of all time because of the way they would win and by how much.
The Giants have a certain level of professionalism that I have never seen in a great team. Looking at the Patriots of last year, yes they did blow teams out, but they also ran up the score as much as they could. Looking back, how many times did you see Tom Brady still in the game last year, in the middle of the fourth quarter, with a three or four touchdown lead in tact? This broke them a few extra records, and also made them look better.
This year, the New York Giants have played great football to say the least.
They are riding a six game winning streak right now. Four of those games have been against playoff teams. Three of those games have been on the road. The Giants have walked in to just about every stadium this year with a chip on their shoulder and won.
The Giants have already played five playoff caliber teams this year, with four more to go.
They also present the most versatile and balanced attack in the NFL. They mix their running game with their passing game superbly. Eli Manning has matured into a true NFL quarterback. The running game is clearly the best in the league. They use their three-headed-monster perfectly.
The Giants also enjoy having a noble defense, ranking in the top 10 in every category. Just like their offense, the Giants have a perfectly harmonized defense. They attack the quarterback, and clog all available holes for all runners.
The Giants present an ability that the Patriots never possessed, which is the strength to beat an opponent based on their weaknesses, rather than your strengths. Consider this, if Tom Brady struggled, the Patriots struggled. It eventually caught up with them, as we know.
Are the Giants the greatest team of all time?
Absolutely not, but the Giants of this year could easily be considered better than the Patriots of last year.
Adaptive to other teams weaknesses, a better defense, a flexible offense, and a tougher schedule, this Giant team has done all the things it takes to surpass the '07 Patriots.
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about 1 month ago
Not many are going to believe me, but I thought the Giants would win the Super Bowl by three after the first matchup. I saw how the Pats got consistently worse with the near-losses to New York Jets, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. I think the 08 Giants are better b/c they have it all. NE didn't run the ball a lot really.
However, are the Giants the best ever? No. Not in my opinion.
about 1 month ago
P.S. Did you know that it took Brady 16 games to beat Manning's 49 td record, but it took Manning only 15 to set it?
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the words of encouragement!
Yes, I did know that, Manning Sat out the final game of the season, while Brady played almost every game in its entierty. even the ones where they had already won.
Thanks for the read, comment and POTD
from about 1 month ago
Actually Nick you need a bit of research. Name the game where Brady played on a drive started in the fourth quarter while up more than two scores. Find one and you'll have point that every "reporter" at ESPN and such neglects to mention.
about 1 month ago
16-0 is greater than 15-1.
from about 1 month ago
William,
while this is indeed true, the Patriots had a cakewalk schedule last year. The 2007 Patriots were a beyond excellent team, but the Giants have been so themselves.
Also, right now if you have to pick a Superbowl champion, who would it be?
The Giants is correct, you can say the Jets if you want, but the Giants are favored. If the Giants go 18-1, isn't that the same record the Patriots finished with?
If the Giants go 17-2, 16-3 or anything like that for that matter, and win a ring, they had a better season.
Thanks for the read and comment.
from about 1 month ago
Alright lets see,
Week 14 against the Steelers, up by 3 scores after 3 quarters, Brady played the whole game
Week 16 against the Dolphins
Week 8 against the Redskins
Week 1 and week 7 were an embarassment that he was still on the field. I will give you week 7 if you want, but week 1, sure it was only a two score lead but they were dominating them
Thank you for another comment.
from about 1 month ago
Nick, you are confusing the schedule of 2008 with 2007.
In 2008 the schedule is a cake walk. In 2007 the Patriots faced the undefeated (at the time) Cowboys, the undefeated (at the time) Colts. The playoff bound Steelers. The playoff bound Chargers. The should have made the playoffs over the Titans but Dungy is friends with Fisher, Cleveland Browns. And the playoff bound Giants.
In 2008 the non-division games are easy but division games tough. In 2007 it was the opposite.
Week 1 vs. the Jets? Um, you are a giant fan right?
I assume the Giants' rival it Dallas. Add mutual stealing of coaches and players.
Steelers, have you heard of, who was it, Smith? Week 16 was blatant stat padding for Moss.
You seriously crying forthe Redskins.
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay?game_id=29308&displayPage=tab_play_by_play&season=2007&week=REG8&override=true
Read it again. The drives started in the 4th quarter were all Cassel or then 3rd string Guitierez. The drive started in the 3rd quarter was Brady.
Easy mistake. The Redskin players gave up. Matt Cassel, who was still Matt Cassel, was rushing for touchdowns as line backers jogged in "pursuit." Kyle "off the practice squad and not in football this year" Eckel was an unstoppable force because the Redskins stopped playing defense.
from about 1 month ago
Parts of the schedule were hard William. 6 of those games were against their division rivals. The Bengals were easy, and the Chargers were adjusting to a new coach.
about 1 month ago
William, First off sadly I am NOT a Giants fan.
I said the Patriots have no professionalism.
Stat Padding and running up scores on a guy who said we would beat you, is unprofessional, like I said. Running up scores on a guy who took your coach.... come on really? I mean it wasn't that big of a deal that he wanted to be a head coach was it?
Yes I am crying for the Redskins beacuse I am NOT a Giants fan. Also I cry about them beacuse Pretty Boy Tom Brady was on the field to start the 4th, in the middle of a 38-0 lead. Brady also went on to score a touchdown, so try again.
Also, you said stat padding. Confirming what I said that they ran up scores on people. Making there victories look better than they really were.
from about 1 month ago
Find an instance where a QB started a drive and was pulled during it but was not injured.
As for stat padding, yes Moss needed to be fed. The Patriots did not want him to go TO on the Eagles. It would have been a blow out if Brady threw to the wide open underneath guys. The Dolphins had Moss well covered. Cassel would've done the right thing and hit the wide open Welker as he was trained for 3 years (at the time). Stat padding actually improved the Dolphins score.
I guess you'd rather Cassel went in and took all those 9 yard passes to Welker (later Gaffney) which they turn into 25 yard gains.
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=29428&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&season=2007&week=REG16
See the 0 and 0 in the second half scoring for the Patriots? Put in Cassel and he stops trying to force it to Moss and those are 7, 10, or 14. Take your pick, stat padding or running up the score.
So you cry for the Redskins? Guys making waaaaay more than either of us to stop a running back jogged after Cassel. They lackadaisically play against the legendary Kyle Eckel for more money than you and I will see in our life. And you cry for them?
You are wasting your tears.
"Pretty boy" Tom Brady? Well finally the truth comes out. Either you are jealous or have frustrated homosexual tendencies.:) So this is about QB appearance. Eli (and Peyton) look goofy but I' be a fool to care.
about 1 month ago
I don't follow the teams, game by game, but there are two things to remember:
The Patriots had won three Super Bowls and looked as if they were headed for a fourth last year. Yes, the Giants almost beat them in regular season, but so did a couple of other teams, including the Eagles.
The perception is that the Patriots were a better team at this point, because they had three Super Bowls in this era, while the Giants have one Super Bowl, as well as one loss.
That being said, I believe this year's Giants would be beat last year's Patriots hands down.
This statement may not make sence, but I followed the perception about this year's Philadelphia Phillies. The media was in love with the Dodgers, with Manny; the Cubs, who had not won in years; the Red Sox, winners of two World Series in the 2000 decade; and the worst to first Rays. The Phillies were no one's darlings, except in Philadelphia, and won it all.
So, you are right about the Giants being a better equiped team this year than last year's Patriots. The Giants won the Super Bowl on defense and in the end, the Patriots paid too much attention to the receiving corps. But the perception, right or wrong, is that until the next undefeated team comes along, no one can touch the Pats record regular season. But for Giants fans, perhaps like you are, can take solice that the Giants last year beat the Pats, with Tom Brady.
And you can take satisfaction in that.
See you on the field on Dec. 6. Perception favors the Giants. Reality probably does to, but I can only hope the Eagles are on a winning streak of their own. Not that it will mean anything for the Eagles, who are going no where this year.
about 1 month ago
If they win a Super Bowl, they're better. Especially since the same basic team beat that Patriots team in last year's Super Bowl.
from about 1 month ago
Yes Sean, not only that but Strahan retired, and they haven't used Osi all year with his injury.
from about 1 month ago
Question is...without Strahan and Osi, would they have won the Super Bowl? If you can answer that question, then you can answer the 2008 Giants vs the 2007 Patriots question...
about 1 month ago
This argument should be more like this:
Who was a better team, the 2007 Patriots, or the 2007 (not the 2008) Giants?
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!
Anyone want to dispute this (and completely embarrass themselves)?
Patriot fans hate the fact that their team will be forever remembered as the team that CHOKED in the biggest game in the HISTORY of professional football, and despite three super bowl wins will forever be remembered as LOSERS who failed to reach immortality because they were bullied, dominated, and physically manhandled by the NY Giants with EVERYTHING on the line!
That is the legacy of the 2007 Patriots. They are remembered as the team that people will NOT salute, ...but rather, ...ridicule, mock and make fun of ...until the end of time!
from about 1 month ago
eddie, this is football, not wrestling. go away. again.
about 1 month ago
Only if the Giants win the superbowl again.
about 1 month ago
I agree with you because
1) Less dependent on the QB
2) a much better run offense
3) better overall defense
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