Right here is the factor about dropping: It drains away something that really is perhaps enjoyable or attention-grabbing.
Living proof: The ambiance in and round Munich the previous few days was intoxicating and that has nothing to do with beer consumption. This was simply the second NFL recreation ever performed within the Bavarian capital and the novelty was nonetheless there, in contrast to the worldwide video games performed in London, which have a been-there, done-that vibe to them in spite of everything these years.
This was designated as a house recreation for the Panthers and certainly, there was extra Carolina blue within the crowd at Allianz Enviornment than the darker Giants blue. There have been cheers when Malik Nabers made a catch down the sector however louder roars when Chuba Hubbard broke off a long term for the Panthers.
Ultimately, the Giants couldn’t overcome their errors — two red-zone interceptions by Daniel Jones and a devastating fumble on the primary play of additional time by rookie Tyrone Tracy at hand the Panthers the profitable factors on Eddy Pineiro’s 36-yard area purpose.
That sealed the deal for one thing that the Giants have by no means earlier than skilled. The 20-17 loss in OT was the primary defeat for the Giants on overseas soil.
They beforehand had been 3-0 in these worldwide video games, with these three video games performed in London in 2007, 2016 and 2022.
For these video games, the Giants had been in a position to embark on the lengthy flight residence with a victory in hand. This time round, the Munich-to-Newark, N.J. journey got here after a brutally irritating loss to a crew that was thought of to be the worst within the NFL 9 weeks into the season.
Nicely, 10 weeks into the season, the Giants definitely are contenders for that ignominious prize.
Right here is without doubt one of the shames to all this: It spoiled what ought to have been a terrific expertise.
The worldwide video games have a distinct vibe to them, with European followers bringing a soccer-type really feel to the festivities. The sellout crowd of 70,132 on the residence of FC Bayern Munich was within the temper to social gathering.
There have been singalongs for “Candy Caroline’’ and “Take Me Dwelling, Nation Roads’’ and “Hey! Child,’’ with the largely German followers understanding all of the phrases and belting them out after the music stopped. There have been frisbees and paper airplanes slicing by means of the air within the stands.
“Oh, I loved it,’’ Giants defensive finish Brian Burns stated. “They had been very interactive all through the entire recreation, singing songs, cheering for stuff that didn’t essentially must be cheered for, nevertheless it was enjoyable.’’
Dexter Lawrence famous that “it was actually loud on a regular basis,’’ though Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger appreciated that it acquired pretty quiet when he was on the sector with the Carolina offense.
“I actually didn’t know what the cheering was for a few of the time,’’ Lawrence stated. “But it surely was cool. It was cool to play right here and get this expertise. The grass wasn’t as dangerous as I believed it was going to be. But it surely was enjoyable simply to be part of the tradition.’’
These two Giants defensive gamers did the very best they might to present the native media what they needed to listen to about Munich as a bunch metropolis for this recreation.
It was not simple for them to convey any emotions of pleasure after the Giants misplaced their fifth consecutive recreation to fall to 2-8.
Burns stated touring this far, right into a six-hour change in time zones, this late within the season was tough on the our bodies of the gamers.
“I’d in all probability wish to journey earlier,’’ Burns stated. “The one different time I traveled was my rookie yr to London, and that was a reasonably early recreation. Later within the season, it’s a bit of taxing with the sleep schedule and every little thing. You sort of get in a routine and it sort of throws you off. But it surely’s sort of good we’ve acquired a bye week to bounce again.’’
Lawrence was requested the place he needed to see the Giants despatched subsequent season if they’re chosen for an additional recreation overseas.
“Oh, I’d need to simply keep in MetLife [Stadium],’’ he stated. “It’s a great distance through the season to journey. It’s a bit of tough.’’
Quite a bit rougher whenever you lose.
