It Feels Like 2007....No Really....It Does

I've read and heard a lot of arguments that the run the New York Giants have had to Super Bowl XLVI mirrored their run in 2007. While I agreed with it, I didn't realize just how much the 2011 Giants remind me of the 2007 Giants:

• The 2007 and 2011 teams both started the season 6-2.
• They both beat every team in the AFC East (albeit, the 2007 team did it in the Super Bowl).
• They both lost a home game late in the season to an undefeated team (each by the score of 38-35).
• They both were swept by a fellow NFC team in the regular season (sorry to be a downer).
• They both played an NFC South team in the Wild Card round (and scored 24 points in each game).
• They both went to the home of the #1 seed in the Divisional Round and won.
• They both went to the home of the #2 seed in the NFC Championship and won on a Lawrence Tynes overtime field goal.
• Oh yeah, they're playing the Patriots again in the Super Bowl.

However, there is one glaring difference between the two teams: the offense.

In that dream season of 2007, the Giants heavily relied on the running game of Brandon Jacobs, Reuben Droughns, Derrick Ward, and the tremendous, late-season emergence of then rookie (and 7th-round Draft choice) Ahmad Bradshaw.

The 2011 Giants running game finished dead last in the regular season in the entire NFL. Which is never the case with this franchise. Never.

Now let's take a look at the passing game....or should I say the Eli-te passing game? Prior to this season, Eli Manning was put in a no-win situation when he was asked if he considers himself an elite quarterback. What did Eli do? He said yes!

Did I agree with him at the time? No, but I loved his confidence. Do I agree with him now? You bet your butt I do.

Manning's 2007 season was nothing to write home about. Remember the four interception game vs Minnesota (3 of which were returned for touchdowns)? Remember the ghastly performance on a Sunday night at home vs Washington with a whopping 34 incompletions? OK I'm sorry...I'll stop. But we have to realize how much Manning has grown and matured in his eight-year career.

Manning's passed a lot of tests this season and now has his team back in the Super Bowl. He threw for nearly 5,000 yards. Think about that. That's never been done in the great history of this Giants franchise. It's amazing!

Manning did this after losing his number one tight end (Kevin Boss) and number two wide receiver (Steve Smith), both who he's played with in the previous four seasons. Oh....and he did this is in a drastically shortened offseason because of that whole lockout thing.

Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham improved from their already good form. Jake Ballard has been a great find at tight end. And some undrafted guy that does some salsa dance when he finds paydirt hasn't been to shabby either....what's his name? Oh yeah, Victor Cruuuuuuuuuz!

Manning has answered every question and every critic of his (which there were a few) and passed just about every test this season. The only question I see surrounding Eli now is: "Is he better than Peyton?"

Stop it.