That was a great game between the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the Giants edging out an extremely hard fought victory 21-14. It exceeded even the highest of expectations. (And I could have been there but passed on the tickets, oops!) But after seeing the game, I'm left with one question: Did the Giants win the game or did the Steelers lose it?

These kinds of questions are always judgement calls, and I don't want to take away anything from either team. The battles were ferocious and the hits were visibly violent, even watching from a non-HD television like the one I currently use. After the match up, I think it's clear that the Giants have to be respected as the best team in football.

I have no problem admitting I was wrong on my pick in this game. I said the Steelers defense would make more big plays, and to an extent, they did. The huge goal line stand, the incredible red zone defense on trip after trip and facing a short field every time. But somehow, the Giants escaped. So, much credit to them.

A win is a win, and the Giants came out of the Steel City with a great victory. But I think the Steelers lost that game. They threw it away, and I mean by more than the botched long snap for a safety. I'm more thinking along the lines of the 4 interceptions thrown by Big Ben Roethlisberger. The offensive penalties that hindered some of their second half drives. Missed opportunities despite holding the offense of the Giants to a putrid red zone performance.

As far who won the battle between Eli Manning and Roethlisberger, well that one is of course a no contest. After these two were drafted it seemed like for all time Roethlisberger would be the kid everybody regretted not picking and Eli Manning would be the draft day bust. Well, Big Ben has certainly played great football for the majority of his young career but it is now Eli Manning who has the higher career arc.

He is continuing to say to the world, the playoff games last season were not a fluke. The Super Bowl was not a fluke. My last name is not a fluke.

Eli Manning and the Giants hung around, hung around and hung around. They blew opportunity after opportunity. They stifled themselves with questionable play calls and poor execution. But they got the Win. Yes, the Steelers lost this game, they gave it to the Giants. But it doesn't mean the Giants didn't win (even if they didn't win). Get it?