Funny how a simple game of football can transform downtown Manhattan and the Meadowlands into a ruckus party zone. Good times were the M.O. yesterday thanks to the NY Giants organization and the Big Blue faithful, myself included of course, turning what would’ve been another boring Tuesday into an unforgettable event. Read the rest of this entry »

The New York Giants did it. Again. And for the last time until the fall, we present to you the final NFL Recap of the 2011-2012 season. Read the rest of this entry »

The day has finally arrived. There’s really no hype or anticipation needed for the Super Bowl. It’s the only thing anyone’s talking about today and come 6:30 EST, it’ll be the only thing on television. We all know what’s at stake here. Eli’s going for his second ring where Tom Brady is knocking on the door step of possibly the greatest quarterback to ever…you know what, never mind. Read the rest of this entry »

If this wasn’t the best Championship Sunday in recent memory, point another one out. The Ravens and Patriots jumpstarted the day with a thriller that came down to the last kick, which ultimately stopped the Ravens short of the Super Bowl for what felt like the 100th time. Read the rest of this entry »

How’s this sound? Only three games remain in the NFL season; four if you include the most useless all star production in sports, the Pro Bowl. That being said, find solace in the fact these are the three biggest games of the year with more history, suspense and drama than your grandmother’s favorite soap opera. Read the rest of this entry »

Well, I can tell you one area which won’t be pro-Obama come this November: the city of San Francisco. And we’ve got Vice President Joe Biden to blame. Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s what we know following the divisional round in the playoffs: a new Super Bowl champion will be crowned. Before shifting our attention to the AFC and NFC title games, let’s look back at 10 things we took away from the weekend, shall we? Read the rest of this entry »

By the time we all shut our eyes tonight, the NFL’s Final Four will be set in stone and the march to Indianapolis one step closer to completion. The stakes get higher, the possessions mean more and that small ounce of depression in knowing the season is damn near over begins to increase. We’ll live though. It’s not like we have to deal with another lockout, you know? Read the rest of this entry »

Try not to get too depressed ladies and gents. The work week starts back up tomorrow, but before another installment of indentured servitude begins, at least be thankful we have two more wildcard games to entertain us. Read the rest of this entry »

Tinsley’s Holy Trinity consists of Cam’ron Giles, LeBron James and America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys. Seeking to pay homage to one of his deities, he ended up having his faith in one of the others tested. See, Tins decided to spend his NYE in Harlem* and wound up at local restaurant to watch the Cowboys-Giants game on Sunday night. Read the rest of this entry »

2008 was the year of perfection. Almost. A miracle catch in Super Bowl XLII by an otherwise unknown New York Giant, David Tyree, helped thwart the 19-0 quest by the New England Patriots, preventing their enshrinement as the greatest team to ever grace the turf. Three seasons removed, Tom Brady and co. finally got their shot for a little revenge on Sunday at Foxboro, Massachusetts. Read the rest of this entry »

It looks like the Philadelphia Eagles’ free-agent bonanza isn’t quite finished just yet. Last night they nabbed Steve Smith from the NFC East rival New York Giants, supposedly before 2008 champs could even throw in a counter-offer. Now it’s definitely worth noting that the receiver is still recovering from last year’s microfracture surgery, Read the rest of this entry »

After serving 22 months in the belly of the beast for shooting himself in the leg, former Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl champ Plaxico Burress is a free man this morning. Now, the biggest question is where the former star will land. Read the rest of this entry »

Chokers.

What else do you call the New York Giants after yesterday’s fiasco? At home, in an epic battle for NFC supremacy, the Giants had total control over the rival Eagles with a three touchdown lead in the second half. Plenty of time though, for Michael Vick to go into Madden mode. Vick gashed the previously ferocious Giants D with improvised rollouts and runs. A Vick to Jeremy Maclin touchdown with two minutes left leveled the game. After a failed Giants drive, the teams were a punt out of bounds away from overtime.

But Giants punter Matt Dodge had other ideas, inexplicably kicking to the always dangerous DeSean Jackson. A sliver of space was all Jackson needed to run to glory.

Head coach Tom Coughlin was sure to publicly humiliate his player post-game, deflecting from the fact that his team suffered a total collapse. A tough game at Green Bay looms and it remains to be seen if the Giants can make the playoffs and Coughlin can keep his job, particularly with Bill Cowher openly asking for it.

In the other marquee matchup of Pennsylvania and New Jersey based teams, the Jets refused to let their season die, eking out a win in a snowy Heinz Field. As expected, defenses dominated as both teams came into the game struggling to put points on the board. Ferocious hits were the name of the game, with several borderline cheap shots that may have James Harrison making another donation to Roger Goodell’s charity of choice. The Jets were able to cobble together 22 points on a kickoff return, a safety and a few well put together drives. A last gasp effort from Ben Roethlisberger gave the Steelers a last second shot at victory, but the Jets defense held firm.

The NFC playoff picture came into focus with Atlanta’s road shalacking of Seahawks and New Orleans’ loss to the Ravens. The Falcons were as usual led by Matt Ryan and Roddy White in a battle against the “first-place” Seattle team and look to lock up the one seed next week. The Ravens were led by Ray Rice’s giant day (230 yards, 2 TDs) meaning every fantasy nerd who drafted him in the first round will win their consolation playoff bracket. Too little, too late Ray.

Quick Hits

– Fitting that Tim Tebow’s first NFL start comes on the birthweek of our Lord and Savior. Young Timothy did better than some would expect, rumbling for a 40 yard TD on a quarterback draw. Unfortunately, not even St. Timothy could deliver a win for the Broncos.

– The Lions needed overtime to do it, but they notched their first road victory since 2007 by battering the bruised Bucs. Tampa’s playoff hopes are slipping away quickly.

– Washington fans should be worried by Rex Grossman’s 4 TD performance as it may con Mike Shanahan into keeping him around for 2011. Of minor note though, the Skins still lost and Sexy Rexy threw an INT on the final drive.

– Patriot Dan Connolly lived every offensive lineman’s dream turning a pooch kick into a near touchdown. His 71 yard kick off return was the longest by an offensive lineman in history.

It seems like the NFL’s power rankings become fleeting as each week winds down. I guess that’s the beauty of the NFL in that seemingly any team with a convincing track record deserves bragging rights. With that said, it’s usually at this point of the season where we see teams emerge for late season pushes. Tis the season for implosions as well with a few franchises looking sluggish. Turkey Day isn’t here yet but some of these clubs, namely the Giants, Chargers and Colts, look like they have a mean case of itis. Let’s see if they can shake off the malaise down the stretch. Read the rest of this entry »