Do not adjust your calendars Do not put on a New Kids on the Block record and definitely do not dig out your old Hypercolor heat-activated T-shirt. You have not travelled back in time, and this is not just a
ugg boots outletnfl jerseys cheap repeat from the early 1990s. The San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants really are top of their respective divisions, and ready to renew a rivalry that hasn't felt this relevant since Ricky Watters ruined Lawrence Taylor's retirement party back in January 1994.
OK, so there have been one or two worthwhile tilts in the interim – not least the incredible 24-point, what-were-you-saying-Mr-Strahan, comeback pulled off by San Francisco in the 2002 playoffs but in general terms this is a rivalry that has faded. That 2002 season, indeed, was not only the last time the 49ers made the playoffs, but the last time they even posted a winning record.
Jim Harbaugh's team are not yet guaranteed of one this time around, yet that is strictly a technicality. San Francisco have seven wins already and have only played one of their six divisional games in the preposterously weak NFC West. They will win the division, but the challenge now is to prove they are ready to prevail in the postseason too. Tonight's match-up, along with games to come against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, will be the test of quite how far they have progressed in this remarkable first season under Jim Harbaugh.
As for New York, they are coming off a hugely impressive win over the Patriots in New England – one in which Eli Manning once again outshone Tom Brady. They lead the NFC East by two games but are entering into the most challenging stretch of their schedule. After this game they face the Eagles at home, travel to New Orleans, then host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Despite the Niners' record, there are those who might argue that this is the most winnable game of the lot.
A question of approach Well, there's no great secret to what the 49ers are going to try to do today. San Francisco run the ball more often than any other team in the league, and no wonder – when you've got a guy like Frank Gore in the backfield it wouldn't make a lot of sense to put your focus anywhere else. Gore has gained at least 100 yards on the ground in each of San Francisco's last five games, and is going up against Giants defence rushed 24th in the league against the run.
As for New York, with Ahmad Bradshaw still out their best hope may be to air it out. Manning has done a pretty fine job over the last few weeks of backing up his own claim that he is one of the league's elite quarterbacks, and in particular his deep ball has been a weapon. With Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham declared active by the Giants following hamstring and knee injuries respectively, he has weapons at his disposal – though as New England know all too well: it's not only the obvious targets that can hurt you.
Elsewhere One of the early games is already finished - the Jacksonville Jaguars winning 17-3 in Indianapolis. The Colts now have just two games left against teams with losing records - and one of those is on the road in Jacksonville. Are they now destined to follow the Detroit Lions and become the second team ever to finish 0-16? Also, given that most analysts had them down as a playoff team before Peyton Manning was ruled out for the year - does this make them the greatest one-man team of all-time? Has there ever been a team in any sport that was more obviously destroyed by losing a single player?
Mean coach is mean The Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin came out
传世私服Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys on top of a Sporting News poll this week, which asked 111 NFL players which coach they would least like to play for. There is a perception around the league that Coughlin works his players harder than most, though he gave into their pleas for an extra day off practice after the win over the Patriots. Then again, Bill Belichick came third in the voting, so perhaps the lesson we really learned is that some players don't like winning Super Bowls.
One man teams Wow - lots of suggestions already on Twitter for the greatest ever one-man teams. A lot of NBA fans have been suggesting Michael Jordan, but I think this is an even stronger shout from the guys from the Beyond the Pitch podcast: "Bill Russell. Full stop. Count everything from the NCAA going forward. Last player-coach to win a title too. 11 NBA titles and forced rules changes in the game because of just how intelligent he was."
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