Peyton Manning

[cincygrad]

It's not shocking to learn that a playoff team would allow less points than the average of the other 16 games (playoff and non-playoff teams included)..... But I will agree that the Giants D did step up a lot during the super bowl runs and were the major difference in that 2008 game.

 

[flamingrey]

It's not shocking to learn that a playoff team would allow less points than the average of the other 16 games (playoff and non-playoff teams included)..... But I will agree that the Giants D did step up a lot during the super bowl runs and were the major difference in that 2008 game.

I agree. But for one, to consistently have done it and against some offensive juggernauts, and two, the clear distinction drawn between the teams' results when their defense was on the money versus all the other years when it was not. I think you'd be hard pressed to find similar results for any team not named the Steelers, if even them.

They gave up more than 20 points once, and that was 21 points. I don't think as highly of Eli as most, but you get a QB even as good as him, giving up 20 or less points consistently in the playoffs, you're going to win a lot of games. It's no surprise he's won 2 SBs.

 

[futballiscool]

I think it's a stretch to say defense wins championships in the modern NFL.

The last five champs were:

2012 -- Giants (very overrated defense - Got hot at the right time).
2011 -- Packers (more offense than defense)
2010 -- Saints (defense that relied on turnovers - Not a dominant group)
2009 -- Steelers (definitely a defensive force)
2008 -- Giants (good defense on that squad)

Of those winners, there were was one great D (Pittsburgh), one very good D (Giants 2008) and the other three were more known for good quarterbacking and good offense at the right time.

I think you're underrating that Packers defense a little bit. They were 2nd in the NFL in points allowed and 5th in yds. they won with a great QB and a defense that was excellent throughout the season.

The Giants defenses were great during their post season runs.

The Saints were statistically a subpar defense, but during the playoffs they caused timely turnovers and they were physically intimidating (knocked Warner out of the game and Favre took the worst beating I've seen a QB take in the pocket).

 

[kramer1]

Offense wins games. This isn't even up for debate anymore.

Oh, and in case you haven't noticed....our offense blows. It's embarrassingly bad.