Shown L-R: Hall of Famer Andy Robustelli, Dick Modzelewski, Jim Katcavage, and Rosey Grier. Robustelli is unofficially credited with 14.5 Sacks in 1962 at age-37. (Sacks were not an official statistic until 1980. His total is attributed to film study.) Grier went on to prominence with the Los Angeles Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome” after Allie Sherman traded him in 1963.
That was not fun. Last week is one of those games that left a welt. The opening told the tale: Minnesota drove 61-yards in less than 4-minutes to go up by 7-points. Washington drove 83-yards on 15-plays chewing up nearly 9-minutes, and came up empty. Minnesota then drove the ball 98-yards on 19-plays taking right at 12-minutes off of the clock to go up 2-scores. Game Over. Unfortunately, there was enough game left to play to have the Quarterback hurt his already banged up arm. And, the 50-reception Tight End suffered a probably career-ending knee injury. All in all it was a good day to have done something other than watch the game.
One Step ≠ Three Steps
The players threw around a lot of descriptions to describe the game: “Unacceptable,” was one. “Embarrassing” was another. No one is arguing. But, what Dan Quinn told the team was direct and blunt: “Last week we took one step forward. This week we took three steps backwards.” Again, no one is arguing.
“Last week we took one step forward. This week we took three steps backwards.”
Dan Quinn
Fo’ Mo’
Back in the author’s youth most days in August were spent high up in the tie-poles of one of many Southern Maryland tobacco barns hanging sticks full of speared plants. It was a steaming and sweaty business. Late in the day while housing the last load one of the wiseacres in the crew had a bad habit of yelling “Fo’ Mo'” (Four More) It was such a lift to think the long hot day would be over in a few minutes. From up high you couldn’t see the trailer still half-loaded. Twenty sticks later would come another notification: “Fo’ Mo’ and I ain’t (kidding) this time.”
Yes, Sir. Four games left. And, all four are within the Division. The NFL got tired of players being rested on the final couple of weeks of the season. That’s why they started back-loading the schedule with Division Games. All over the schedule are teams playing three or four of their last games within their group. Washington gets the Giants first, Philly, then Dallas, then closes this desultory campaign in the mis-named City of Brotherly Love.
It would be delicious for this suffering team to knock out a hated rival here down the stretch. Is it possible? Philadelphia’s schedule has them playing Las Vegas at home, on the road for Washington and Buffalo, then home against Washington. If you add the wins of the teams in the four games the result is 17-wins. Dallas has Minnesota at home, the Chargers at home, then on the road to Washington, then the Giants. The total wins for the Dallas schedule is 18-wins. If you’re inclined to do math the average opponent for both is 4.5 wins or so. For teams trying to win the Division this is a nice setup.
This week right here could do in Dallas. Should Philly win over the Raiders (favored by 11.5-points) and Dallas stubs their toes on Minnesota that would be the golf equivalent of “Dormy.” (Three up with three to play.) Of course there are a myriad of tie-breakers. But, there’s plenty of time to delve into them later if needed.
If it goes “Chalk” then the Cowboys game here on Christmas Day could be the end of the line for the Cowboys. That would be a super Christmas gift for the beleaguered fanbase. It wouldn’t salve all the bruises from this year. But, it would give the Egg Nog a more pleasant taste.
Big Blue
There have been a lot of “Blue Mondays” in Big Blue territory for a good while now. There have been 2 playoff appearances since they last won the Super Bowl 14-years ago. During that time span the team has gone 81-143-1 (.360). They have not won the Division since that Super Bowl while finishing at an average position within the NFC East of 3.14 out of 4-teams. That’s a big drought for the Nation’s #1 Media Market. It’s eerily comparable to the period between 1963 and 1979. There the team had but 2-winning seasons and no playoff appearances. The ownership family, the Maras were in-fighting amongst themselves as to who would replace Andy Robustelli at the helm of the franchise. The official version is that the Maras compromised by hiring mystery candidate George Young. The unauthorized and unofficial version is that Pete Rozelle, the NFL Commissioner pressured the Maras to hire Young, who had been with the Dolphins. The League did not want the #1 Team in the #1 Market to be such a sinkhole.
This is a team that has fired its coach…again. That makes 4-coaches in 10-years. If you’re wondering that’s as many as the New York “J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets” have had. “Gang Green” has perfected the formula for perpetual irrelevance: Fire the Head Coach every other year or so. (Those wanting Dan Quinn’s head on a platter should pay attention.) This time around don’t look for the League to throw a Life Ring to the Giants. The League has arrived at a place where New York ratings don’t propel the financial ship. There are revenue streams from all corners. If the Giants are content to flounder the League is apparently willing to let them.
Demo Derby Dart
The Giants traded up to get what they hope will be a Franchise Quarterback. Jaxson Dart may prove to be just what they hoped for. There’s only one word to describe his style; Reckless. He hasn’t figured out that the Linebackers he’s attempting to bowl over are not the 19-year-olds he faced back in college. He was inserted into the lineup for Game#4. He suffered a concussion in Game #10. But, he returned to face the Patriots for Game #13. If you watched that game he attempted to gain an extra yard or so and was totally blown up for his efforts. He got back up and kept playing. How he did it had to be attributable to youth alone. He may or may not learn that the NFL is not Demolition Derby on turf.
Dart was going to save Bran Daboll’s job, or so Brian thought. It didn’t happen. But, he hasn’t played badly. He has 11-TDs vs. 3-INTs. And, he is the Energizer Bunny. His best receiver is out. Malik Nabers suffered from yet another torn ACL on the much maligned turf at Met Life Stadium. NFL types swear the data indicates that the turf there is not more likely to cause injury than grass. There’s no shortage of skepticism out and about for that claim.
When asked about the Giants Dan Quinn remarked on the speed of the Defense. It may well be a fast unit. But, the numbers are not good. They are 30th in overall yards allowed while being 31st against the rush. Chris Rodriguez is “Questionable” with a groin injury. It may be a week for “Bill” Jacory Croskey-Merritt to break out of his streak of less-than-50-yard-games which has grown to 7-games.
The game will be played in winter weather conditions. A snowfall is expected to end mid-morning. Clearing Northwest winds will blow making the below-freezing temperatures to be even less inviting. There’s a very good chance of many empty seats.
The Giants are coming off of a Bye Week. This is the fourth time this year Washington has faced a team coming off of the Bye. The results are 0-3 so far. Washington is coming off of a disaster week. It will be interesting to see how the team responds. A win would mean mainly that the team hasn’t quit. A loss won’t matter much, if at all.
Game Information
Washington at New York Giants: 1:00pm Met Life Stadium
Announcers: FOX: Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (analyst)
D.C. Radio: Bram Weinstein (play-by-play), London Fletcher (analyst), Logan Paulsen (analyst) BIG 100 WBIG-FM
