1/25/2008 5:31:28 PM

It may be important to note that before 1990 only five teams from each conference made the playoffs. Two from each were Wild Cards but they played each other in the first round. That Wild Card round was first implemented in 1977. Before that time, there was only one Wild Card team and only four total teams played in the post-season in each conference.

In other words, the odds for a Wild Card team to succeed has increased over time.

Still, the Giants are good.

It was the Steelers I could have done without two years ago.

Jim Humbert

1/25/2008 10:49:04 PM

I think you can say that, without a doubt, the thing that turned the Giants season around was Coughlin's plan to go at the Patriots in Week 17 with everything they had. Most coaches, with nothing on the line, would've feared an injury and benched their starters. I'd have to do a break down, but I don't think the teams that coast and rest their starters end up playing as sharp, etc. in the playoffs. By bringing it to the Patriots and almost beating them, it made them sharper and a better team. They believed in themselves. And, it could change the way other coaches play out their schedules in the future as I think you'll see more of them opting to play their starters like normal.

Jimmy Dinsmore