Stamford, CT: It was a busy sports weekend, with lots of excitement for our local squads. The Mets and Yankees were both boned by a dumb tiebreaker. Jaxson Dart made his debut and looked the part, but the injury to Nabers muted the celebration. Let’s get to it.
Tiebreakers Stink
If you play 162 games and you end up tied for the last Wild Card, you should play for it. Come on. I’ll try not to pile on the poor Mets today, after the insane roller-coaster of a season, but going to a tie breaker to decide the last playoff spot is dumb. Give me a Mets Reds one game playoff. I don’t want to hear about the added playoff teams and the need to finish the season before Christmas. Figure it out MLB, that’s how memories are made. Neither team really deserves to be in the playoffs anyway, but that’s beside the point.
The Yankees and Jays also tied for the best record in the AL. They should play for it too. The winner gets a week off and the loser goes to the Wild Card round without its ace. High stakes fun times.
Instead, the Yanks will have to do it the hard way, but this team is rolling right now. Fried will outduel Crochet tonight and they will sweep up the Sox tomorrow.
Good Start for Dart
Clearly there is going to be some growing pains with Jaxson Dart, but it’s going to be fun to watch. The Giants tried to protect him with the running game and quick passes, but he still took a lot of big hits. His most exciting play might have been the QB sneak where he bounced it outside and took on tacklers like a Full Back. Obviously, he can’t keep playing that way. But man, the kid has heart.
The Nabers injury came on a free play, after the Chargers jumped offsides. Dart recognized it and smartly went deep for Nabers. That’s why we can’t have nice things.
The Giants offense is a lot less dangerous without him, obviously. They went from a tiger to a house cat. Now they’re really going to have to spread it around and get creative on offense. Look for Beaux Collins to step in as the third WR after Jalin Hyatt busts one last time. And look for more 12 personnel (2 TEs).
Hopefully Nabers is back at full speed next year.
The offense still had massive red zone issues and would have lost this one too if not for the awakening of the pass rush. I know the Chargers were down both of their stud Tackles, but Burns, Carter, and Kayvon were unleashed in this one. Carter was a real force.
Brian Daboll’s full blown love for Dart was on full blown display after the game, running after him like a love-stricken teenager. The coach was so filled with gratitude, I think he was ready to give Dart a full massage after the game, or about anything Dart wanted. And I do mean anything.
If you’re looking at the Saints next week and thinking about the Giants improving to two and three and getting back in the playoff hunt, I must point out that after the Saints, they play the Eagles, @ Denver, and @ Philly. Week Six starts with a Giants Eagles match-up on Thursday night. That’s a must watch.
I’ll say it again. What did the Giants do to piss off the league?
Speaking of pissed off, Angry Ward will be in this space tomorrow.
