Defining Game?

would be a loss: coming off a bye, weak beatable opponent blah blah... I have a feeling this Judge team is going to take care of business.

Or at least will be one of them. When the Giants take care of business, solidly, they will show that they are coming together, have some pieces in place, coaching is in place, game planning and teaching is on point. All that is needed is more roster building. They will finally be taken seriously again.

At least until the next 4 turnover blown 4th quarter lead game.

This is still a young, almost undertalented team trying to find an identity. Trying to master basics and be consistent.
It is a stepping stone. This is a game that should put them on the next level - meaning that they can beat teams they are supposed to beat.

Defining game - let's move to a Cleveland game or an Arizona game. These are playoff capable/probable teams. Teams on the verge of being in the post season.

I think Seattle and Baltimore are two or three levels up, they are playoff level teams. Teams that belong in the playoff or can be expected to be in the playoffs.

...where they can compete with anyone. That’s a significant stride from getting blown out by the 49er backups. Unfortunately, it only takes a few adverse plays for them to lose to anyone. That includes the Burrows-less, Mixon-less Bengals. It might even include the Jaguars and Jets.

It wouldn't surprise me all that much if the Giants lost to the Bengals and then turned around and beat Seattle. The gap between their ceiling and their floor is that big.

a solid playoff team or possibly Super Bowl contender.

Though it will undoubtedly be defining if the Giants lose, particularly with no Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon.

He’s only been out for five days. I shouldn’t forget his name yet.

It would confirm that the talent deficiency is still too great to accomplish anything. A win against a hapless Cincy team without its starting QB doesn't really prove much about the NYG. If the Giant beat Cincy by a FG or even 7 pts can you really say with confidence that they've "turned the corner" ?

remaining on the schedule is a defining game, and each one on its own a type of watermark both for the players and coaches of this team.

We'd do well to pay attention to the actions of Coach Graham after the first Eagles' loss, when PG supposedly sat on the Giants' sideline for 15 or 20 minutes after the game was over. The team had blown an 11 point lead in 4 minutes.

Asked what he was doing there, Graham said "I failed the team."

That level of taking responsibility needs to be present for every game remaining.

Or there will be no playoff game. I'm sure coach Rivera feels the same way. His team sure took care of business yesterday.

and win that game that would be a defining game for this franchise moving forward.

we’re supposed to win. If we beat Seattle away, or Baltimore, then I might consider that a defining game. Winning a game we need to get into the playoffs would be a defining game, as well.

Would say so, he’s a progress/stepping stone kinda guy. You work to get better. Winning this defines nothing if you collapse after. Losing it defines nothing if you get better going forward. This is a process, and win or lose the process continues. The lessons of this game get wrapped into the improvement process.

JJ keeps saying it: focus on the process of getting better and winning THIS WEEK. The bigger picture takes care of itself if you do this. String together wins you get to fight for the playoffs. A few more you’re in. A few more your champs.

So this week if you fail, you dust off, watch film, and get better. If you succeed, you high five, watch film, and get better.

In the effort of learning how to win in the NFL - here's another obstacle: the dreaded trap game. For the first time in what feels like forever, the Giants actually have one.

As Mike Tomlin recently put it for the Steelers:

Quote:

“I’m not into the trap game discussion,” Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the Steelers (9-0) meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8). “I understand that’s something you guys like to talk about, but this is the NFL. We are not a Big Ten team playing a MAC opponent this week. Every time we step into a stadium, we’re playing professionals, players and coaches. We’ve got a ridiculous level of respect for that,” he said. Write your story, follow your storylines about trap games and things of that nature. We understand what we’re going into in Jacksonville, that that’s a group that’s trying to kick our butt. A professional group, capable group, and we’re preparing with that understanding.”

That about sums it up. We'll see if the Giants pay the proper respect to their opponent Sunday.

Beating Cincinnati with a practice squad quarterback is not a defining game. God some of you guys overdramatize everything.

It's always the same story with that organization. Zac Taylor is already on thin ice. All the familiar reports of a toxic lockerroom. Carlos Dunlap, who just got traded to SEA, & Pete Carroll took shots at their culture. Their OLine has some similar drama to the Giants - apparently OL Coach Jim Turner, who is known as a gigantic prick, has been mentally abusive and not teaching any technique. They've gotten Burrow killed without receiving any instruction on how to get better.

Their pass D is the strength of their team. They are allowing a low completion % and have a lot of INTs. Their FS #30 Jessie Bates is having an All Pro season.

might be a better characterization term for the Bengal game

Let us see another turnover-free game from Danny Dimes

Further maturation by the OL

Some playmaking by the D

Maybe then we can start even thinking about a 'defining' game