This was supposed to be the sleeper Monday Night game, two teams on completely different levels facing off on national television when one didn't deserve to be there. We had the defending champions versus the underachievers, a team on a roll versus a team in disarray.Unfortunately for Giants fans, they played the game anyway, and the lowly Browns came out on top against the undefeated champs Monday night, 35-14, in an absolute thrashing.
Derek Anderson, the lowest-rated passer to start every game this season, was absolutely magnificent, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns, and more importantly rekindling that flame he had with Braylon Edwards last season.
Edwards had just 95 total yards in his first four games, struggling with dropped passes and even getting in the face of Anderson two weeks ago. Monday was a different story as Edwards went off, snagging five catches for 154 yards and a touchdown, and adding a two-point conversation to put the Browns up 21 in the fourth quarter.
The game was the Browns' from the opening kick, when Anderson and company drove down the field and settled for a field goal. Sure, it wasn't a touchdown, but it was a positive possession and set the theme for the night -- control the clock, add points when they had the ball, and pressure Eli Manning like he's the inexperienced one.
Manning went on to toss three interceptions including a last one to Eric Wright, who returned it 94 yards for the touchdown and the exclamation mark.
This game cemented the theme of 2008 in the NFL. There are some good teams, and the Giants are still one of them, but there isn't a single group of guys that can't be beat on any given Sunday. Just a week ago the NFC East was the dominant division, sporting three elite teams and one that had struggled of late but was still more talented than most.
One weekend can change all that. The Redskins lost to the previously winless Rams, the Cowboys got beat by the Cardinals, and now the Giants lose to the Browns. As we head into the seventh week of football, one thing is for sure. Nobody in the world knows who the best team is, and that isn't a bad thing.



















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-14-2008 @ 1:24AM
Mark M (Sportsroids) said...
The giants need to hit up Plaxico Burress more in the red zone. He was against a DB who is only 5'10. Come on we all know out routes are dangerous in small spaces like the red zone.
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10-14-2008 @ 3:22AM
Orange Chuck said...
I would like to thank Eli and that Giants defense right now for sucking so badly that I actually won my fantasy game this week. I thought I was screwed when I was down 6 points with only V-Jack left on my roster and those two left on his and it turns out that this week, I win(who would be those odds honestly). I did it Shane, I pulled it out thanks to Eli's 3 INTs, under 200 yards passing and of course the Ginats defense giving up 35 points and oer 400 yards. I love fantasy football, for now anyway. See ya Sunday I hope when the chat starts up and I need V-Jack to save the day again.
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10-14-2008 @ 5:04AM
giant fan since 57 said...
Congrats to the Browns. They wanted it more than we did last night and whipped us fair and square. As painful as it was to watch we have to quickly lick our wounds and get our act together. After the next two games our schedule gets very tough.
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10-14-2008 @ 5:46AM
Rick said...
"after the next two games our schedule gets very tough"............are you expecting a cakewalk in Pittsburgh?
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10-14-2008 @ 8:16AM
Ken said...
I guess Shane Bacon's earlier article "The Browns, Who Are 1-3, Are Talking Trash About the Giants, Who Are 4-0" is now null and void. So much for your opinion!
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10-14-2008 @ 9:22AM
Steve Larabie said...
Our defense blew it out of the water last night. Spagnolia had better get them together and not underestimate the opponent anymore. This weekend proved that anyone can be beat on any sunday even if your the defending champs. One loss won't make a season. We will come back from this. Go Giants.
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