2002 WC game: Giants vs. 49ers

Forgive me for mixing up my Roman numerals

In comment 13489572 BigBlue in Keys said:

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Really hurt. As a 19 yr old that put me in a depression for a few weeks. Thankfully XLVI healed that wound and made all the bad losses worth it. I don't know if it was XLII or if just age but I think I have learned to not take the bad losses to heart as much. Enjoy the team and wins as much as you can, but realize you have no control over losses and let them go. Letting a loss ruin your week doesn't change anything or make you a bigger fan and that's ok. But man, that one hurt.

Couldn't agree more on your point about letting losses go. They are tough to deal with, but I used to get so angry and aggressive following a loss that it was scary. After the meltdown against the Eagles I made some regrettable decisions, I had to re-evaluate my priorities. Since then, I just laugh off losses and move on with my life.

I've grown up a lot since then and no longer take losses that hard... but that was easily the most angry I ever was after a football game. I was in a funk for days. I couldn't get over it. It was one of those losses that was just incomprehensible.

It really was the ultimate Fassel-esque loss, though.

The only other loss since then that got close was the Eagles game in 2010. My friends could literally see the steam coming out of my ears and were afraid to even say anything so they just left and I stayed at the bar and got loaded for like 3 more hours.

I'll never let the outcome of a game get me like that again. It would take something excruciating to even get me close. But boy, those games were dark.

In comment 13489585 KentGraham said:

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In comment 13489572 BigBlue in Keys said: Quote: Really hurt. As a 19 yr old that put me in a depression for a few weeks. Thankfully XLVI healed that wound and made all the bad losses worth it. I don't know if it was XLII or if just age but I think I have learned to not take the bad losses to heart as much. Enjoy the team and wins as much as you can, but realize you have no control over losses and let them go. Letting a loss ruin your week doesn't change anything or make you a bigger fan and that's ok. But man, that one hurt. Couldn't agree more on your point about letting losses go. They are tough to deal with, but I used to get so angry and aggressive following a loss that it was scary. After the meltdown against the Eagles I made some regrettable decisions, I had to re-evaluate my priorities. Since then, I just laugh off losses and move on with my life.

Same here, the eagle meltdown punt return/dodge/Vick/Jackson

After that day I also haven't let a loss effect me nearly anywhere near that level.

It would take a CG or SB loss to equate it at this stage of my life

I will not be doing a game review of this one.

When they missed that kick. Without thinking I stood up and screamed at the tv. The kid fell off my lap, hit his head and was crying. I didn't even pay attention. I kept yelling. Man was the wife pissed at that.

Only thing that comes close to that level of depression were some of the Knicks runs in the 90s.

You gain more perspective. But that 49ers loss cut deep.

at that point was comical. Every QB in the league was just firing passes at whomever he tried to cover.

Fassel should have never left the field also until he got things straightened out with refs. But he was ashamed...

In comment 13489599 Steve L said:

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When they missed that kick. Without thinking I stood up and screamed at the tv. The kid fell off my lap, hit his head and was crying. I didn't even pay attention. I kept yelling. Man was the wife pissed at that.

omg, that's funny (you know what I mean). It sounds like something I would have done too...

But a silver lining exists. I think the loss damaged team psyche to the point that they completely folded up and quit on Fassel the following year, allowing for a full house-cleaning that was Coughlin and Eli.

Fuck that game. It never happened. I blocked it out.

BTW, who was the idiot who hit a defenseless TO: Shaun Williams or Omar Stoutmire?

..to never name the former head coach from 1991-92? ("He Who Shalt Not Be Named")?
Well that game should fall into the same catagory.
The Game That Shall Not Be Named Nor Discussed.

Damn it now I'm pissed off all over about that one all over again. NNNNGHHHHHHHHH HOW THE *FUCK* DID WE LOSE THAT ONE?!?!?!?????

In comment 13489616 Anakim said:

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Fuck that game. It never happened. I blocked it out. BTW, who was the idiot who hit a defenseless TO: Shaun Williams or Omar Stoutmire?

Anak, Williams. Moronic penalty.

In comment 13489588 arcarsenal said:

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I've grown up a lot since then and no longer take losses that hard... but that was easily the most angry I ever was after a football game. I was in a funk for days. I couldn't get over it. It was one of those losses that was just incomprehensible. It really was the ultimate Fassel-esque loss, though. The only other loss since then that got close was the Eagles game in 2010. My friends could literally see the steam coming out of my ears and were afraid to even say anything so they just left and I stayed at the bar and got loaded for like 3 more hours. I'll never let the outcome of a game get me like that again. It would take something excruciating to even get me close. But boy, those games were dark.

Me too. I don't fly off the handle anymore like I used to 15, 20 years ago.
The only loss I took harder than the Game That Shall Not Be Discussed (see above) was in early 1997 when, in typical Fassel style, we dropped a sure win against the Testaverde Ravens. I was in college and oh my God was I in a blind rage after that one. I took a very long walk around campus to cool off and wanted to fight someone lol

drinking sweet vermouth because that was all I had around. This team can rip your heart out and stomp on it sometimes.

if we win that game, we don't have Coughlin & Eli.

is that you can see them coming before things start to look bad. When Shockey dropped the pass, there was an inkling that could come back to bite the Giants. When Strahan pointed at the scoreboard later on, it felt like a guarantee the 49ers were going to come back.

I saw the same thing in the Falcons/Patriots Super Bowl, but it didn't bother me as much because I didn't really care if the Falcons won.

And many will disagree. I hate fans who say they celebrate the wins and shake off the losses and dont let them bother them on any level or for any length of time. If i felt that way i simply wouldnt b a fan. How can u truly enjoy the wins if u dont suffer the agony of defeat? Im sorry when people feel that way to me there fair weather fans. If people disagree thats fine but i dont see anyway those fans cabn b considered die hards on any level

This was one of those 3. Among the things I broke that night (that I remember) was a wicker clothes hamper. I absolutely destroyed that thing and I was screaming for probably a good 90 minutes thereafter.

The other 3 were the 2010 collapse vs Philly, the '98 collapse vs the Vikings, and the '88 loss vs the Jets in the season finale (knowing there was a distinct possibility that SF would lay down vs the Rams to keep the NYG out of the playoffs).

In comment 13489779 The_Boss said:

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This was one of those 3. Among the things I broke that night (that I remember) was a wicker clothes hamper. I absolutely destroyed that thing and I was screaming for probably a good 90 minutes thereafter. The other 3 were the 2010 collapse vs Philly, the '98 collapse vs the Vikings, and the '88 loss vs the Jets in the season finale (knowing there was a distinct possibility that SF would lay down vs the Rams to keep the NYG out of the playoffs).

** those 4 **

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1) I forgot how much of a beast Shockey was that year. Just a total animal. That said, his drop that would have made it 42-14 was completely inexcusable.

Shockey had an OBJ like rookie year. Lots of people were thinking he was headed for greatness. But he did have a tendency to drop some easy ones and the one here turned out to be huge. He catches that and it's 42-14. 49ers probably don't go for 2 so even with the 2 quick TD's the game is still 42-28 instead of a one score game at 38-30.

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2) I still disagree with Fassel's decision not to go for it on 4th & 1 around the 49ers 25 with 3 minutes & change left. A FG would have only made it an 8 point game & the 49ers offense was rolling. Get the 1st, kill some clock, & try to get a TD.

Don't recall what I thought at the time but it seems like a sound decision. We needed to slow the momentum down and regain our footing. And if we convert it's a 41-33 game and the Niners did miss the 2 point conversion on their final TD so then all we would have had to do is recover the onside kick (ha ha we probably would have botched that so maybe you're right).

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3) When you follow a team day in, day out you know what their strengths and weaknesses are. The ST that year was a complete abomination. I wasn't surprised at all that it came to bit them in the ass.

My memory on FG/XP is that we botched a few in the middle of the season and then things stabilized. But going into the playoffs Fassel suddenly panicked and decided to bring in a new long snapper and the rest as they say is history.

But, more than the collapse, what really bothers me (still) was the refs blowing the PI against Seubert.

In comment 13489734 jtgiants said:

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And many will disagree. I hate fans who say they celebrate the wins and shake off the losses and dont let them bother them on any level or for any length of time. If i felt that way i simply wouldnt b a fan. How can u truly enjoy the wins if u dont suffer the agony of defeat? Im sorry when people feel that way to me there fair weather fans. If people disagree thats fine but i dont see anyway those fans cabn b considered die hards on any level

Ha, I guess I would say it's overall healthier for me. Life is short, gotta move on, look ahead. Being miserable doesn't change the score, doesn't complete that dropped pass. Not saying it doesn't sting, but don't let it drag your life down. If you think wallowing in misery for days/weeks makes you a bigger fan, or increases the odds we win it next year well, carry on. I say live your life with your chin up proud of our history, and smile knowing the Eagles still fucking suck.

That was the Toughest loss, the second half was brutally Torturous to watch. At the end it looks like the Refs just wanted to get the hell out of there.

I have the jersey from that game. I know cool story bro...

and at no point did I think: "They got this." All along I was thinking: "They could still lose this game." Wasn't shocked when they did. They were that kind of team.

In comment 13489882 Sour Kraut Kid said:

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I have the jersey from that game. I know cool story bro...

I would have fucking burned it a long time ago.

That are inexcusable. Shockey dropping a pass is not even close to inexcusable. He had a great game. The offense had a great game. Fassel, the DC and the injury to Kenny Holmes lost it. The D had nothing left late second half.

with my then girlfriend at the time. I was 19 and we had been going out for a year at the time of this game.

Let's just say she never looked at me the same after this game. I was 19. I should've known better.

... and kept a big SF drive alive during the comeback. It may have been Dhani Jones, but I could be wrong.

In comment 13489882 Sour Kraut Kid said:

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I have the jersey from that game. I know cool story bro...

Certainly is a piece of NFL history

-

In comment 13489882 Sour Kraut Kid said:

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I have the jersey from that game. I know cool story bro...

I will buy it from you for $350. No joke. Let me know if you're interested.

poisoning the night before.

Shockey was a doosh, never worth the trouble. Aside fro the dropped, game icing TD that never got the scrutiny it deserved, he was totally out of control all day, arguing with and throwing ice at fans. Complete asshole.

In comment 13489559 KentGraham said:

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This picture of Eli crushed but not destroyed, is why the Giants still have the upper hand on this rivalry. You haven't experienced the darkest moment to both lose an NFC Championship AND your all time QB. Losing a wildcard game by comparison is chump change, esp. when your chance of winning the Super Bowl that year was maybe 10%...compared to a realistic 3peat (or just being in the Super Bowl to begin with).

The '90 NFCC was discussed a few days ago. Leonard Marshall knocking Montana out wasn't what won the game...it was getting to him just in the nick of time to stop a bomb to a an open Jerry Rice/John Taylor from ending the game, that I quote:

"would have been just as big as 'The Catch'".

If you saw how decisively Montana wound up about to get off that throw...in a game that was hard to have any decisive throws....the dagger was certainly there.

And this is why despite dark moments in fandom, you have to accept them because it makes the payoff sweeter one day. If you are a fan for life, then you have a good 70-80 years of watching and it won't be all sunny days.

Anyone who followed how evenly matched the 49er/Cowboy rivalry from the early '70s to the mid '90s was, can clearly see this.

but in a way I do enjoy this rivalry.

Dallas faded in the late '90s. Green Bay in the early '00s. Playing those teams even under Harbaugh did not have quite the level of animosity it once had.

Seattle will eventually fade as well.

NYG will always be there waiting, like an old friend.

2011-2012 felt more like fresh off of 1990. Everything post '91 MNF and pre '11, minus 2002 felt like scrimmages. Even 2014 and 2015 felt meh.

When the two teams are on equal strength, the rivalry picks up exactly where it left off.

It's very fascinating, and I have a feeling it will be back sooner than later.

"WOULD YOU DOUBLE OWENS ALREADY?!?!?!"

Johnny Lynn was a disaster. If Fox had still been the DC, they win that game because there's no way Fox just continues to stick Sehorn on Owens and hope for the best.

And I see someone else is trotting out the classic chestnut "Durrrr Fassel should never have left the field until the refs corrected the call!" If that were the case, he'd still be on that field to this day because all the tantrums in the world wouldn't have made a damned bit of difference. Please, tell me when you have ever seen a coach throwing a fit on a field change a game-deciding call? I'll help you out - never. It's never happened and it wasn't happening that day either.

Drunk out of my mind after that game. Screaming & throwing things in my backyard in the freezing cold in a tee shirt & shorts. Ex-wife knew better & just left me alone until I tired myself out! lol

was such a stud. Hall of fame talent - on the field.

Having said that, double coverage might've helped ...

my brother and I said nothing to each other for 45 minutes following it.
What a choke job.

I was in Spain at the time and couldn't find the game on TV (and wasn't internet-savvy enough to find it there). I called my dad at what I figured to be halftime to ask how the game was going, and he said they were whipping up on them pretty good...up three scores or something like that.

So imagine my surprise the next morning when I went to the internet cafe, pulled up ESPN.com, and saw Jeff Garcia celebrating on the front page.

I wasn't all that surprised, I have to say. That team was a paper tiger with some huge flaws all season.

because she thought the game was over. After it ended, she called me to check on me to see how I was doing but quickly hung up after I told her 'I'm fine.'.

I turned the tv off and sat in my living room for about an hour... all alone... in stunned disbelief saying over and over again 'I can't believe we lost that game.'.

In comment 13490738 T-Bone said:

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because she thought the game was over. After it ended, she called me to check on me to see how I was doing but quickly hung up after I told her 'I'm fine.'. I turned the tv off and sat in my living room for about an hour... all alone... in stunned disbelief saying over and over again 'I can't believe we lost that game.'.

I recall having a bunch of friends over ... slowly but surely they started leaving - and said nothing ...

I've calmed down quite a bit since then. thanks SB 42!

was the day I fell in love with Eli. I still have no idea how he survived that game ... the morning after must've been brutal.

only game I've ever watched on tv and still felt physically exhausted after.

One of the best weapons in football at that time. And the guy who could have been the key vs TB the next week. Bucs were bearable. This team would have given them the best game of any of the playoff teams.

Could have been a SB winning team.

Shocked olayed hard in that game. I don't know anything about throwing ice but on the field he was super agrrressive and playing tough. Great battle with him and Julian Peterson.

Great posts.

when Shockey dropped that TD and we both knew it was trouble

pull weeds out of my garden for 3 hours without gloves than relive that nightmare.