big blue streak

to ease the pain of the stinker laid by the Jets, NY's (sorry, NJ's!) other team took control of their conference by beating the Carolina Panthers in OT.

after the game, Ken Lucas flew back to Charlotte immediately for obvious reasons.

you would think the Panthers, by copying the Giants' formula (great O-Line, dual running backs, ferocious pass rush, superstar WR), would be able to take the defending champs down. and they almost did. Plax wasn't there. DeAngelo Williams had 4 TDs. they had a 21-10 lead for most of the 1st half.

but the original purveyors are still the best. Derrick Ward + Brandon Jacobs = 302 yards, 3 TDs.

after winning the SuperBowl last February as the underdog that caught everybody nodding off, the Giants now have all the advantages and it remains to be seen if they're still hungry enough for a second Lombardi.

having missed out on the first one, Tiki Barber wants to cry now on national TV.