This matchup only comes around every 4 years. It's the battle of New York. It's Big Blue vs. Gang Green. It's the battle of the Meadowlands. Most importantly it's played in New York, which is arguably the most intense sports city in the nation. But, this year's matchup was incredibly important. The winner would be well on their way to a playoff berth, the loser would dig itself a six foot deep hole to hide out in.
The game started out slow with what looked to be a 7-3 Jets lead heading into halftime. But the unheralded Victor Cruz, made a catch at the 11 yard line, made a few Jets defenders miss and burst down the sideline for a franchise record 99 yard touchdown pass. This play completely changed the complexion of the game. The Jets had been dominating on defense and looked to have secured great field position leaving the Giants at their own 1 yard line after a second and ten, but the Giants converted the third down into a TD, sending them flying into halftime. Coming out of halftime the G-Men scored ten points to make the game 20-7 and looked in complete control when Mark Sanchez fumbled a snap into the end zone. But, Hakeem Nicks kept it interesting by inadvertently tipping a ball into the hands of David Harris giving the Jets a opportunity to score and make the game 20-14. Gang Green couldn't capitalize on their defensive stop and Mark Sanchez was sacked in the end zone for a safety. Ahmad Bradshaw stepped on the Giants throw by rushing for a 19 yard td.
This game wasn't truly memorialized as much on the field as it was off the field. The trash talking between Victor Cruz and Darelle Revis, along with the heated on field encounter between Brandon Jacobs and Rex Ryan, transformed this game into a forest fire from a simple bonfire. Ryan and Jacobs met at midfield after the game and exchanged some ill-advised words. That in turn led to some post-game trash talk in the press conference, that simply got old after a while. But the damage was done. The Jets, barring a miracle, cost themselves a playoff berth, while the Giants put themselves in favorable position heading into the NFC East Championship Game vs the Cowboys next week. This game will go down as one of the best in the rivalry's history, and will give Giants fans serious bragging rights for the next four years.
4. Cam Newton Sets Rookie Passing Record
Good 'ol Scam Newton. You either loved him or hated him in college. But now there is very little reason for angst against the Panthers rookie sensation. Newton burst on the scene after being first overall, but intelligently let the media do the talking for him. During the lockout, Newton attended one of the several Panther's player practices, and when he was interview by the media he was surprisingly humble and grateful to have the opportunity to play on the world's biggest stage. Starting with those interview, people began to realize that Newton might just have the mental capacity to handle a QB#1 role in the NFL. But nobody expected him to do what he did starting Week 1.
Newton exploded for 854 yards in his first two games and immediately raised eyebrows. Newton slowed down as the season went on, but that was expected, because, well, he plays for the Carolina Panthers. But Newtons' learning curve wasn't too steep. He, with one week remaining, has already captured the rooking passing yards record and has led the Panthers to a 4-1 record in their last five.
All of this record smashing was completely unexpected from Newton. Not because of the fact that he was a rookie or only started one true season of D1 ball, but instead, because of his style of play. Everyone saw Newton as the next Vince Young in college, and that in turn would lead to him being a NFL bust. But Cam's arm action was never seen as slow or inept mechanically, he just simply never had to throw that much in Gene Chizik's system. It's a true testament to Cam Newton's intelligence and professionalism how he not only can put up fat stats, but he has realized, and said in multiple press conferences, that it's not about my stats it's about the win and loss column. Folks, you heard it here, Cam Newton could completely revolutionized the QB position, and no I'm not talking Mike Vick, I'm thinking better.
3.Tim Tebow's Ridiculous Run Of 7 Straight
When Tim Tebow saddled up and took the reigns of the Denver Broncos the season had become a lost cause. Or so they thought. After leading a dramatic comeback in Miami for an overtime win, Tebow was brought back down to life when the Lions came into town and putting a 45-10 whopping on them. But after that Tebow reeled of six wins, including 2 OT wins and 2 late fourth quarter victories.
The magic was less in the fact Tebow was 7-1 as a starter going into a big matchup vs the Patriots, but it was more how he did it. Some of the plays literally seemed like miracles, as some heralded him, jokingly of course, as the coming of our savior. Whether its was the epic 99 yard drive to beat the Jets, Marion Barber's miracle fumble, or his ridiculous game vs. the Vikings, Tebow sent America into a frenzy. His late game dramatics were seemingly cinematic, week-after-week, producing a new episode.
But, Tebow came crashing down to life after the Patriots outgunned him in a shootout and then the Bills picked him off four times. Tim Tebow isn't an elite QB in the NFL and probably will never be, unless his gets his mechanics right. But at least for a 6 game stretch this year he was able to shock the world, repeatedly and for that, he deserves some credit.
2.The Eagles Don't Make The Playoffs
The "Dream Team" as backup quarterback, and now big-time clown Vince Young, proclaimed the Eagles in the preseason, were officially eliminated by the New York Giants in Week 16. Despite a strong finish to the season, the preseason NFC East favorites were more than a disappointment.
Between injuries, DeSean Jackson's immaturity and an underachieving defense, the Eagles were 2-4 going into their bye week and the world was laughing at them. Mike Vick's injury gave Vince Young an opportunity to publicly embarrass himself as the starting quarterback. Now, though the Eagles were bad, they were far from the worst team in the league. I'd even go as far to say that if the season had started Week 14 we'd be looking at a playoff team. But it didn't, and the preseason self-proclamations that probably made Andy Reid cringe, turned the Eagles into the laughing stock in the league even at 7-9 or 8-8.
I'm still going to pin the Eagles disappointment on injuries, as Mike Vick, Trent Cole, Jason Peters, Jeremy Maclin and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie all missed some time here and there. The inconsistent lineup combined with a short off season never allowed the new look Eagles to gel, and was the main two reasons why the "Dream Team" was a farce. The players that actually remained healthy, like LeSean McCoy and Jason Babbin had incredible seasons and were shining lights in what was a disastrous season. I'm just still not sure why they ever let Vince Young out of the looney bin. You knew he was going to go out and proclaim ridiculous things. Who does VY think he is? Lebron James?
1. The Lockout Ends
Let's be serious, no one expected the lockout to stretch into the preseason let alone the season. But everyone still celebrated like it was V-J Day when Roger Goodell announced there would be a season. Losing the NFL to America would have been like losing the Kardashians for Italian chicks from Jersey or losing McDonald's for fat people: disaster.
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