Antrel Rolle thinks New York Giants can win out
By Ryan Disdier
It seems like Antrel Rolle making loquacious predictions has become an annual tradition of the latter portion of the NFL season.
As NFL.com pointed out, in 2012 when the Giants were 6-4, Rolle told reporters the Giants would finish 12-4 and secure the number one seed in the NFC. Last year when the team was 0-4, Rolle once again (incorrectly) predicted the Giants to win out. The feisty New York Giant is back at it again, as he voiced his confidence in the Giants in a recent interview.
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According to the New York Daily News, when asked if the Giants could finish 9-7 and have a shot at the playoffs, Rolle responded by saying, “There’s no doubt in my mind.” Part of the reasoning behind that response is due to the nature of the question. There’s no way Rolle could’ve responded by saying, “No, we’re bad.” He had the right answer to a tough question.
However, the other part of the reasoning is just Rolle’s personality.
Obviously it’s a possibility for Rolle and the Giants to win out, but it’s not a very likely one. A whole lot would have to go right for this football team. Rolle is the captain on a defense currently ranked 31st in total defense, and injuries to the secondary, let alone the rest of the team, have been difficult to overcome.
New York’s remaining games are against Dallas, at Jacksonville, at Tennessee, against Washington, at St. Louis and against Philadelphia.
As I noted in a previous article, there’s a good chance the Giants can win at least three of their remaining six, but winning out is a real stretch. They would have to beat Dallas, which is possible, but no easy task. And if the week 17 game against the Eagles does in fact determine the NFC East champion, the Giants will probably have a tough time winning against a team that shut them out 27-0 earlier in the year.
Rolle is in the midst in somewhat of a ‘down’ year from a statistical standpoint after last year’s Pro Bowl season. Rolle currently has 52 tackles, one forced fumble and three interceptions. Despite that, Rolle is currently the third leading vote getting for strong safeties, per NFL.com, and he is likely on the verge of another Pro Bowl berth.
Rolle and the Giants have a chance, but they need to play some really good football if they expect to make Rolle’s prediction come true. The Giants have not won a game since week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Third time’s (Rolle is 0-2 in predicting the Giants to win out) the charm, right?