If the Giants performed their house video games in Gotham Metropolis, then the Eagles would virtually definitely be the consensus Joker, the archest of their arch-enemies, particularly in a yr when the Eagles are hovering. The Cowboys would in all probability test in because the Penguin: at all times a possible thorn within the aspect, not fairly as menacing because the Joker.
The Commanders? For a lot of followers, they’re the Riddler: nonetheless a nemesis, nonetheless a contemptible foe, however a step or two behind the others within the pecking order of odium.
There may be one notable fan who didn’t see it that method.
“I don’t assume there’s any query, the staff that makes me really feel greatest once we beat them is Washington,” Wellington Mara informed The Publish’s Gene Roswell again on Nov. 10, 1972. That was a yr of prosperity for the Giants (they completed 8-6) in an in any other case principally rancid stretch of 17 seasons from 1964 via 1980. However the Giants had been 5-3 that day, heading to Washington to face George Allen’s Over-the-Hill Gang, which was 7-1.
“I can consider nothing sweeter,” Mara informed The Publish scribe, “than ruining their day.”
They tried. They led 7-6 on the half and 10-6 within the third quarter earlier than Washington got here roaring again to win 27-13, on their technique to a date in Tremendous Bowl VII. Wellington Mara — who’d attended the very first of the 181 video games between these two franchises as a 16-year-old on Oct. 9, 1932, a 14-6 win for the then-Boston Braves — by no means modified his thoughts, both.
“Oh positively, Washington,” Mara stated in January 2001, as his staff ready to play the Ravens in Tremendous Bowl XXXIV. “At all times Washington.”
No matter how followers could vote in that Gotham Metropolis straw ballot, there may be little doubt that there will probably be a united entrance this week. The Giants are full-speed-ahead for a rematch with the Commanders at FedExField Sunday evening, a recreation that shapes as much as be a essential step for each of those groups, each 7-5-1, towards clinching a playoff spot.
So for every week, anyway, the Commanders are the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze and the Mad Hatter (and possibly throw in Lex Luthor, too) all put collectively. As a result of they stand in the best way of the Giants taking what would nonetheless be a franchise-shifting leap in the correct path.
“They've an excellent defensive position, they've a powerful operating recreation, an explosive receiver [Terry McLaurin], a quarterback [Taylor Heinicke] who's, like I stated the final time we performed him, enjoying with quite a lot of confidence,” Giants coach Brian Daboll stated. “They’ve received a substantial quantity of video games right here these previous seven video games. Powerful opponent.”
What’s outstanding is, of these 181 video games, solely two to date have been playoff video games. There have been sufficient highlights to stuff a shelf of scrapbooks — Sam Huff’s 72-41 revenge recreation in 1966; the Monday evening recreation the place Lawrence Taylor broke Joe Theismann’s leg; the sport virtually a yr later when Washington leapt offsides as a result of Giants Stadim was reacting to the final out of the ’86 World Collection two bridges away …
(And naturally particular point out needs to be product of the Giants’ 36-0 thrashing of Washington on Oct. 30, 2005, 5 days after Wellington Mara handed away at 89, a most becoming parting present, certainly.)
However throughout 181 video games and 90 years, the groups have solely met twice within the playoffs. In 1943, 6-1-1 Washington had a two-game lead on the Giants with two video games to play within the common season however misplaced 14-10 on the Polo Grounds and 31-7 at Griffith Stadium to arrange a tiebreaker the next week to resolve the Japanese Division. Washington received that recreation handily, 28-0, on the Polo Grounds.
Forty-three years and three weeks later the Giants hosted Washington within the NFC Championship recreation, famously took the wind after successful the coin toss, and obliterated them, 17-0.
And that’s it.
This Sunday received’t rely as a playoff recreation, however that’s mere semantics. The winner of Sunday’s recreation receives nothing greater than a one-game increase within the NFC playoff image, and the loser is not going to be erased from that picture. However the winner certain will really feel lots higher about themselves. And it certain appears like a playoff recreation.
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