Giants Beat Packers for NFC Championship, Eli Manning Leads N.Y. to Super Bowl XLII
Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
There’s a Manning in the Super Bowl again this year. But this time, it’s younger brother Eli’s turn as he led his N.Y. Giants to a 23-20 overtime win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. Yes, Eli Manning led them. It was the Giants’ 10th straight road win and once again, Eli took charge by managing the football game and not making mistakes. He was 21 of 40 for 254 yards with no touchdowns, but also no interceptions. There is so much to be said for not turning the football over. Fumbles or interceptions in games of this magnitude are season-enders as the Packers found out. Eli doesn’t need to be spectacular for the Giants to be successful. He really doesn’t. That being said, I don’t want to downplay his excellence. Eli did make some big-time throws today. He is a much different quarterback than earlier this season, looking more in-control and more confident than I have ever seen him. He’s easily playing the best football of his young career.
Eli had help. The Giants O-line paved the way for RBs Brandon Jacobs (67 yards, one TD) and Ahmad Bradshaw (63 yards, one TD). They had the ball almost twice as long as Green Bay. It was ridiculous. And WR Plaxico Burress put on a clinic against All-Pro CB Al Harris, catching 11 balls for 154 yards. I really think Plaxico can be as good as he wants to be. I’m not sure he’s always been the most motivated player. But with an ankle injury that has hobbled him most of this season, I give him a lot of credit for stepping up in the biggest game of the season. He made Al Harris look like just another corner.
And what can I say about Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes? The guy missed two field goal attempts, one of which would’ve won the game in regulation for N.Y. When given a third chance from the longest distance of the evening, he nails it to send the Giants to the Super Bowl. Ahh, the life of a kicker. You’re the hero or the goat. Lawrence was both today but the misses matter not as long as you make the one to win the game.
Brett Favre’s dream season came crashing down around him. In the second half, I thought he made a bunch of ill-advised throws, two of which were intercepted. His O-line gave him ample time to throw. Michael Strahan had just two tackles and Osi Umenyiora had nothing statistically. But Brett had a hard time finding open receivers and he forced some throws, as he has been known to do from time-to-time. I had no confidence that the Packers had any chance to take this game the way things were going in the 4th quarter. Even after they won the coin toss in overtime, I didn’t think they would be able to move the ball. And they didn’t. Credit the Giants’ defense for holding former teammate Ryan Grant to 29 yards on a mere 13 carries, far from the game plan the Packers had in mind for their top running back.
This was a great football game that came down to the Giants making one more play than the Packers. I thought both teams played their hearts out. Bottom line, the Giants went out and won this football game in extremely difficult weather conditions (temps at Lambeau Field were below zero the entire game) against a very good team. They truly earned their way to Super Bowl XLII as the first NFC team ever to win three road games and advance to the Super Bowl. The Giants peaked at exactly the right time this season and have to be considered as a legit contender to beat the Patriots in two weeks. Technically, it’s a road game, so why not?
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Green Bay Packers, N.Y. Giants
0 opinions for Giants Beat Packers for NFC Championship, Eli Manning Leads N.Y. to Super Bowl XLII
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: