...to begin with, this was almost a MUST game for the Steelers, and it certainly was NOT for the Giants. The Steelers were playing at home, and the fact of the matter is that -- on paper -- we are NOT a better team than they are, so a solid beat down was not unexpected.
The only key to this game is the level of injuries to JPP and Hankins (who I think returned.) If they are OK, I think this Giants team will get into the playoffs one way or another. It might be at 9-7, but it doesn't matter how... so long as we get into the playoffs for one reason and one reason ONLY: to give the young players a sense of what it's like to be there and to demonstrate to the vets that 2016 was a positive step forward.
IMO, 2017 is THE year for this team. For that to happen, they have to take care of priority #1 ... the offensive front line (including TE.) And for that to happen they have to take care of the #1 issue:
Ereck Flowers.
He needs to be moved out of the LT position and thrown in at Guard. He's not a LT for lots of reasons, starting with the fact that he refuses to extend his arms and lock his elbows. If he can't learn that in two years, he's hopeless.
The next move is the draft and free agency to acquire high end talent along the front line. But no need to acquire a right tackle... we have one in Booby Hart who is quickly and quietly becoming a first class pass protector.
2016 is a transition year for this team and the best that could happen is to give players like OBJ, Landon Collins, Bobby Hart, Paul Perkins, etc a sniff of what it's like to be in the playoffs. Then they'll come roaring back in 2017.
Yeah, I guess an AFC loss is OK...
Hart would be a better LT than Flowers this very moment. No question. Flowers needs to accept playing Guard next year, or we trade him for whatever salvage value he has.
This game was a good reminder that this team despite showing considerable progress from last year remains deeply flawed and that it is best not to forget it.
Yeah, I guess an AFC loss is OK...
But we own the debt! {:-)
8-4 I'm pleasantly surprised as well. I thought this was a 7- or 8-win team max.
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but know there will be games like this.I take them one at a time.
8-4 I'm pleasantly surprised as well. I thought this was a 7- or 8-win team max.
We still might be....
Yeah, I guess an AFC loss is OK...
Thank you Sam
.