Raptorfan wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 10:44 pm
I read the post and you were nicer than others who made lists in that topic
A powerhouse? It seemed that way especially on Defense but in hindsight the passing game was definitely not a powerhouse. I do think a healthy Manuel would have improved that maybe significantly.
I can understand some of the others who listed them 7th mainly because they collapsed so badly in 1987. But I think they forget how actually good the 1985 team was when they accuse the 86 team of being a “flash in the pan.” 1985, 6 losses by 20 points.
There was no "flash-in-the-pan" such thing during Parcells' time with the Giants. Just the
opposite of one which was...1987 itself. You mention '85, but what about '84 as well (winning one playoff game in each case)? So this makes it three post-seasons to the left of '87 consummating with
1986, and three post-seasons to the right consummating with
1990. Yes '88. but I simply 'treat' that 10-6/finale-win-away-from-2nd-seed campaign as a playoff one.
Most here seem to opine that Parcells 'jumped off a sinking ship' following Scott Norwood's miss. My take leans on had Tuna stayed just one more year in '91 - especially with his staff in tow, of course not just Belichick - and would have learned his lesson from '87; keeping the players motivated/hungry, not assuming they'd do it themselves - those close losses under Handley likely turn to close wins. And Parcells won his last six over Gibbs to close the '90 campaign (threeping him in '86 as well), so as superior as Washington was, I'd say at least the G-men split with them en route to a WC berth, likely
top-WC/4th-seed.
In fairness to Handley, he did take over late heading into '91 (along with '92 being injury-riddled, especially after the 5-4 start), but a HOFer
Bill Parcells still onboard all along, no late start, he being "all-in" for '91 along with firing things up...I like his chances for another big run even if coming up just short, possibly, in the NFCCG at RFK.
for him.