Even without the point spread, picking winners consistently in the NFL can be maddening. Taking a new approach to the question, “who is the better team?”, last week we introduced a regular feature, in which we attempt to pick winners based on their relative virtue.
We’re off to a bumpy start:
Good Men Picks Record: 0-1, thanks to a couple thousand penalties from the Jets.
The Manning brothers face off for the second time ever this weekend. The Colts are coming off a week-one loss to their old whipping boy, the Houston Texans. The Giants, on the other hand, spanked the Carolina Panthers in their season opener in the new stadium.
So, who deserves it more? Eli or Peyton?
New York Giants
Case For:
Poor little Eli. Four years ago, he lost the first Manning Brothers Showdown, 26-21. Despite winning a Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP—over Colts nemesis the New England Patriots—he’s still in Peyton’s shadow. While it might not mean anything to the Giants outside of another win, it’ll be huge for Eli to get the win over big bro, regardless of what he says. Anyone with an older brother knows that.
Tom Coughlin is a coach we like. He’s a hard-ass, old school coach, but from all accounts, he’s a great guy off the field. He looks like a bomb ticking towards an explosion, so we wouldn’t mind seeing him win this one. He got no respect until he led the Giants to the Super Bowl, but he’s now sitting comfortably through 2012. He also created the Jay Fund, a non-profit foundation that helps children with cancer.
Case Against:
There’s still $110 million in debt on the now-demolished Giants stadium, yet they just opened a new $1.6 billion stadium. New Jersey residents have to love that. Are we sure someone from Goldman Sachs wasn’t behind this?
Indianapolis Colts
Case For:
They just lost a Super Bowl. As damn perfect as Peyton Manning seems, he’s not great in the playoffs.
Head coach Jim Caldwell inherited a great team, but that’s all he’s got right now. Despite reaching the Super Bowl, he’s not respected as an NFL coach.
It’s Indianapolis versus New York. What city could use it more? That was a joke. Is there anything else to do in Indy other than watch the Colts? Seriously, one of its nicknames is “Naptown.” They’ll get our sympathy vote here, if they’re awake.
Case Against:
Peyton Manning is too perfect. Yeah, he blew it in the playoffs, but the guy hosted SNL and has four MVPs. Tough life. And yet 
he still pouts more than anyone in the NFL.
But there’s a better reason why the Colts don’t get our vote here: they’re a stolen franchise. Indianapolis robbed the Colts from Baltimore, like thieves in the night—literally. After owner Jim Irsay agreed to a deal with the city of Indianapolis, moving trucks were sent to the franchise’s Maryland complex. The Colts were completely gone by 10 AM the next morning.
That won’t cut it for “Good Men Picks.” This week we’re rooting for Eli and the Giants. You should too—if you know what’s good for you.
About Ryan O'Hanlon
Well done Ryan, you got this one right and not just because the Giant franchise and fans are the class act of the NFL. Another knock on Payton is that he’s an endoresement whore. You can’t turn on the TV without seeing him pitching some credit card, phone service or energy drink. Overexposed and ripe for a beating!
Couldn’y agree with Holihan more! I hope the Giants kick the colts ass even though Payton might just be the best QB to play the game.
I hate both of these teams and I hate both of these horsefaces. At least Peyton learned how to breathe through his nose (slightly). And nobody kicks a can all the way to the sidelines after an INT better than Eli.
But it’s a tough pick, sliced morally or ethically. I think you’re on the money spotlighting the stolen franchise. However, is that moral debt at all reduced by the fact that Baltimore won a SB (with the stolen Browns) before Indy won a SB (with the stolen Colts)?
Anyway, good fresh angle on the NFL, keep it up. Morality-based fandom? That’s going to be a sticky wicket.
I love that Eli. He reminds me so much of my son, Max. That’s how I pick a team!