Potential NFC Championship Preview? Opinions Differ

Welp, I guess the biggest story today is that Brian Daboll is going to spend more time with his Ozempic. (more below) There were more silly results yesterday making this (for me) one of the more memorable years over the last 20 in the NFL.

Fallout:

Giants Do The Inevitable:

Daboll, holder of an 11-33 record over the last three years, is done. This was a death by a thousand impulsive, dumb decisions. Not holding Kadarius Toney or Deonte Banks accountable? Check. Starting DeVito over Tyrod Taylor? Check. Taking playcall authority out of Kafka’s hands and then giving it back? Check. That first year he coached to win with a roster totally bereft of talent and managed to get the team into the playoffs. As we saw this year, he coached to not lose. There was a sense of resignation in that play-calling, just trying to avoid a lousy final score and hope that something swung in his favor.

He had a reputation as someone that was difficult to work for. Everyone has seen his tirades in public-imagine what he was like in the Giants facility without cameras around? He and Wink Martindale were just fine that first year together and though Wink looks the worst in that fallout (I don’t think he’ll ever have a DC job in the pros again) Daboll poured gas on that fire.

Did he lose the room? I don’t think so. The team was galvanized/excited by the young talent of Nabers (until he got injured) and Sk8erboi (until he got injured) and Dart (before he got injured). But some of the in-game decisions were complete head-scratchers.

Cracks Showing:

Daniel Jones had 1 INT, was sacked 7 times and fumbled thrice (one lost) yesterday. He’s always been a mixed bag but the talent around him is more than he’s ever had to work with. The funny thing to me is that he’s going to lead them to the playoffs and then management will have to make the decision as to whether or not to give him some big bucks. Sound familiar?

Red Flags Showing:

There’s no way that Buffalo can get far in the playoffs with this version of their run defense.

To The Game!

Eagles/Packers:

-Can we quit the narrative that it’s “oh so difficult” to win in Green Bay? For banana’s sake, a Carolina team that just lost to the Saints did it. Over a 5 year period the Bills and Chiefs are ahead of them and the Steelers aren’t far behind. From what I can tell, cold weather teams inflate their records in November and December to make their overall record look more intimidating than it actually is.

-Overall the Eagles offense is 24th overall and the defense is 23rd but no one is calling their 6-2 record a result of smoke and mirrors. YET.

-A number of folks had high hopes for Luke Musgrave when he was drafted and now that Kraft (Question: When Kraft, playing in Wisconsin damages his ligaments, is he out with a “Cheese Pull”?) is done for the year it’s time to shine.

-That treasured first round wide receiver pick Matthew Golden-a wonderful “Fuck You!” to Rodgers-has all of 23 grabs and 0 TD’s to date. He’s averaging 23 yards receiving over his last three tilts. Not having done it for so very long, maybe the front office doesn’t know how to properly assess wr’s?

Put your leather helmet on and get in there!