Justin Tuck: Giants Didn't Beat Packers? Clay Matthews In 'Fantasy Land'
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Giants defensive end Justin Tuck doesn't buy a comment from Packers linebacker Clay Matthews that Green Bay lost its playoff game and New York didn't beat them en route to winning the Super Bowl.
"Thank you for giving us the game, Clay," Tuck said with a touch of sarcasm Wednesday. "I appreciate it a lot."
Matthews recently told Yahoo! Sports: "The fact is, (the Giants) didn't beat us; we beat ourselves. We need to play our best ball when it counts. This year, I expect us to be right back where we should be."
Tuck, who defended Eli Manning after the quarterback's No. 31 ranking in the NFL Network's "Top 100," said he hasn't been too bothered by the chatter -- including the remark from Matthews. After all, the Giants ultimately "walked away with a ring on our finger."
"Obviously you'd believe that success would breed reality, right?" he told the New York Daily News. "I guess people love living in Fantasy Land and want to make excuses for the situation."
Giants guard Chris Snee had a different take. He said maybe Matthews is just mad at himself for his performance.
"If that's what Clay thinks, so be it," Snee said, according to the Daily News. "I have a brand new ring and we earned every bit of it. We went in there and beat them. He was a non-factor. Maybe that's what he means."
Tuck didn't want to say whether the Packers played their best in the 37-20 loss that led New York to the NFC title game, but he said the Giants won the game and the Packers didn't hand them anything.
"When they fumbled the ball, I think it was us that stripped it out," Tuck said. "When we sacked them, I think it was us who beat their O-linemen and got to (quarterback Aaron) Rodgers. So, I don't think they just ole'd everything and gave us the game.
"I think they were trying to win."
While the Giants struggled at times during a 9-7 regular season, Tuck said they played their best when it counted. Fans will get to see how this year's teams stack up on Nov. 25 at MetLife Stadium.
"It is football, it is a funny game," Tuck said. "Talk is cheap. Play the game. We will see Green Bay again this year so we will see who lays down that week."
Do you love how the Giants are handling all the trash talk? Be heard in the comments below!
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