Little Giants

In Week 2, the New York Football Giants pulled off a big NFC East win on Sunday, barely beating the lightly favored Washington Redskins 20-14.

This marked Tom Coughlin's first win as Giants Head Coach, and quarterback Kurt Warner's first win in years.

I could use this forum to mention Warner's solid play, or to talk about the G-men being revitalized and gaining division momentum, but I'm not going to do either.

I'm not going to discuss how they managed to pull of a big victory amidst player-coach controversy and rumors.

As a fan I'm not going to praise the defense, the leadership, or the selflessness of attempting to squash the beef with a game ball delivery to Coach Coughlin.

So what am I going to talk about?

I'm going to talk about the most telling stat in the young NFL season thus far, and why as a Giant's fan it scares the heck out of me.

+6

No, that wasn't the spread, and I'm not talking about the final score differential.

More importantly, that is the turnover ratio in favor of the Giants. Their D forced seven, and Warner of course coughed up one.

+6!

Seven forced turnovers (four interceptions, three fumble recoveries) is the stat that everyone is focusing on, which is meaningless if a team gives the ball back four or five times.

It's the positive/negative differential that wins ballgames, and the Giants were +6!

To any coach, analyst, player, or fan, that would be a great statistic to have midway into the season. But, the Giants had it in one game.

Now why does it bother me?

Because the Giants only won by six points!

That's two field goals, a TD and no extra point, three safeties -- whatever you want to call it -- it's nothing. And their defense scored seven of their points themselves!

If you have a +6 turnover ratio, you better win that ballgame by 20 points. Basketball teams with a +6 win by more than six points!

My roommates and I were on the edge of our seats yelling at the TV the whole time -- up until the final whistle.

How many chances can you possibly give this team to beat you?!?

It was still a one-possession game until the Giants hit the showers.

How is that possible? Could any other team accomplish such mediocrity?

Take that fumble recovery defensive score away and the Giants lose the game. With a +5 turnover ratio, they would have lost.

That's incredible.

This game was lost by the Redskins, not won by the Giants -- although in the win/loss column we don't make that distinction.

Mark my words though, if the New York Giant offense does not start putting big numbers up, taking advantage of turnovers and field position, they'll be lucky to come close to .500.

The defense was impressive, but not as destructive as was the Redskins offense. And, as usual, there is nothing special about the Giants special teams.

So my fellow Giants fans, this is not something to cheer about. Don't run out and buy a Barrett Green jersey just yet.

+6, and you nearly lose the game -- only in America.