Rooting Interests For Fans Of New York Giants In NFL Playoffs

The New York Giants are not in the postseason, for them and their fans the season is over. Still, nothing is quite as captivating as the NFL Playoffs. Here are three potential rooting interests for fans struggling to feel the excitement.

1.) Root Against The Cowboys

We might as well start with the most obvious reason for Giants fans to get into the playoff spirit. The Giants may not be able to feel the thrill of a playoff victory but a Dallas Cowboys loss would be almost as sweet. Rooting against the Cowboys is no hard task for Giants Nation.

Nov 23, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) after their game at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys play the Green Bay Packers in January; its almost reminiscent of the Ice Bowl which was a bone chilling defeat for the Cowboys back in the era of Vince Lombardi’s greatness.

The Cowboys just won a playoff game in which it can be easily argued that the refs bailed them out. Giants fans know that every dog has it’s day and they’re hoping that Aaron Rodgers can give it to them.

2.) A Team Reminiscent Of The Giants 2011 Super Bowl Team

In 2011 the Giants snuck into the playoffs with a 9-7 record. A win against the aforementioned Cowboys earned them a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season. The Giants were underdogs who were not given a chance to succeed by most of the so called experts on TV.

The Giants relied on the clutch play of Eli Manning, a great pass rush and good old fashioned resilience to win the Super Bowl. For the second time, they defeated the favored New England Patriots in the big game. It was a magical run in which the team simply got hot at the right time.

What if I told you that there was a team that was so similar to that 2011 Super Bowl squad? The Baltimore Ravens are that team. I know its hard for many Giants fans to fathom rooting for the team that beat them in Super Bowl XXXV (The elephant in the room) but Giants fans of all people should savor their story.

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback

Joe Flacco

(5) celebrates on the bench in the final minute of the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens are a feisty football team that nobody gave a chance. The talking heads were convinced that the Ravens would stumble in Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They didn’t.

The Ravens lean on the clutch play of Joe Flacco, a quarterback who comes alive in the postseason. He has more road playoff wins than any quarterback in the history of the game we love.

Flacco, like Manning, gets criticism because of his calm and quiet demeanor. The leadership displayed by the quarterbacks should be unquestioned but instead its up for heated debate.

The Ravens who also have a great pass rush have a chance to knock the Patriots out of the playoffs for the 3rd time in 7 seasons as they won in Foxborough in 2009 and 2012. In each postseason encounter, the Patriots were the heavy favorites, but other than the 2011 AFC Championship Game, the Ravens have walked away defiantly victorious. It really sounds like another team I know about, that wears blue.

3.) Peyton Manning Vs. Andrew Luck

Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver

Reggie Wayne

(87) talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

This rooting interest may have little to no connection to the Giants fan; however Giants fans are football fans too. What could be a better story line than Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts going against the old Colts gunslinger, Peyton Manning.

This is a football game for all to enjoy. It has the built in drama of Manning vs. Luck and the backdrop of two great teams around them. If you like offensive football, this is the game for you.

It hurts that the Giants are not in the playoffs but that is no reason to abstain from all the fun. Nothing is more exciting that professional football in January. Enjoy the postseason Giants fans because you love the game. Next year the Giants may be included in all the playoff fun…hmm sounds like the premise for another article…

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