Plaxico's prediction
Plaxico Burress predicted a 23-17 Giants win and in Anthony Smith-fashion, he guaranteed it, too. "You have to believe in your team," said Burress.
As he defended his bold choice of words, Burress only had to look some 40 feet to his left to see the grim expression of coach Tom Coughlin, who wasn't happy to hear about the prediction.
"I was not aware of that," said Coughlin, who shook his head. "We've had a good theme all year and it hasn't been that. We do our talking on the field."
When a reporter heard David Diehl say there would "be a different outcome" to this Patriots-Giants game than there was Dec. 29 [New England won, 38-35], the offensive lineman wouldn't follow Burress' lead.
"I'm not guaranteeing anything," said Diehl. "I'm only saying I believe in my team."
"You have to believe in your team" are hardly fighting words of guarantee. It sounds almost plaintive. That, combined with Strahan's nervous twitter "they're 18-0!" makes me think these guys are anything BUT confident.
Do these people NEVER LEARN?!?! I LOVE IT!!!
Go Pats!
Jose
I am a little discouraged about some of the "guarantees" on the NE side as well, particularly Boston Globe's new book on "19-0" Common guys, how could you? Don't you drink the team Cool-Aid???? And Mayor's Parade route announcement for Tuesday! We so what happened to the Eagles. Looks like New York got some material of their own...
i've always thought this was a little overblown. does any football team enter a game believing it is sure to lose? is it news that the giants expect to win this game? is it really controversial to predict victory? it's not like he predicted a 28 point win, or that he would catch 4 TDs, or that brady would have 3 INTs, etc. what does anyone expect him to say when the reporter asks "are you standing by your prediction [from two hours ago]?" "umm, no, now i think we'll lose." silence is golden, but i think this controversy is silly and manufactured.
Not that we need any motivation, but thanks anyway Plax!
JP, the difference is, it isn't the Pats making that prediction; they have no control over the fans.
I guarantee the Pats won't even comment on it.
Reports out of NY are that the Giants were all dressed in black becuase they held a funeral for the Patriots Dynasty. The service was meant to be secret but it's leaked. Antonio Pierce came up with the idea.
When was the last time the Pats scored less than 20 points?
PLAXICO,
Thanks buds .... good to see you could not go one hour with - out opening your damn mouth !
Guaranteeing a victory ? That has worked really well in the past against the Patriots ... hahaha
Game Over ....
Well it's one to say your confident, you believe in your team, etc., but you should never say that to the media. It just makes you out to be a jerk. Guaranteeing a win is a little too bold.
The Patriots will lose this game on Super Sunday. Once a team starts believing what is said on TV, they are doomed. No one is picking the GIANTS to win this game. No one has picked the GIANTS all playoffs, the GIANTS are not even supposed to be in this game.Patriot fans, get your tissues ready, there will be alot of teary eyes on Sunday night.The Patriots are a great team, predition or not the pressure stays squarely on the Patriots. If the Patriots do not win this game,it will be the greatest upset in sports history. May the Ghosts of the ONLY undefeated team in NFL History WITH A SUPERBOWL VICTORY (Miami Dlophins)rise. Go GIANTS 2007/2008 SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS
Willy Blue, you aren't paying attention. EVERYONE is picking the Giants. Watch ESPN and see all of the media people picking the NYG.
nfl.com asked who would win. When I voted today (Giants) it was running exactly 50% each with about 179,000 votes cast. So Matt G ir right but I agree that the pressure is all on the Pats. (Not that they can't handle pressure.)
18 and NO!!
Seems like the 17 points he thought the pats would score was a little generous of Plax. Cheaters and over confident showboaters (moss) never prosper...
That a boy, Plax! And Brady laughed when you said they'd only score 17. He's got some time to think about it now. Maybe he and Romo can take a vacation together. It's fun to see cheaters get what they deserve.
Game over...
Now that the game is over... Mr. Burress seems like a brilliant prognosticator. I don't know anyone else who predicted the outcome of this game as closely as he did. He was confident and certainly did his part to contribute to the end result. Good for you Plaxico!
I also want to say that when a team beats another team that they lost to earlier in the same season, it is usually due to better coaching. Not to take anything away from the players but, I think that Tom Coughlin is a class act--and the Steve Spagnuolo coached defense WON the game for the Giants.
Game over...now that the game IS over... Mr. Burress seems like a brilliant prognosticator. I don't know anyone else who predicted the outcome of this game as closely as he did. He was confident and certainly did his part to contribute to the end result. Good for you Plaxico!
When one team beats another team, to whom they lost earlier in the same season, it is usually due to better coaching. Not to take anything away from the players but, I think the Steve Spagnuolo coached defense WON the game for the Giants--and Tom Coughlin is a class act.
Bellichick should learn a thing or two about sportsmanship.
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