NFC Championship Game Preview: New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers

NFC Championship

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers

Lambeau Field Green Bay, WI - 6:30 ET, FOX

Story behind the game: Green Bay QB Brett Favre looks to further cement his legacy in Packers lore with a win Sunday that would send him to his third Super Bowl. Favre has said publicly that the team’s recent infusion of youthful talent has caused him to at least contemplate playing beyond this season. But how fitting would it be for one of football’s greatest to end his illustrious career with a second Super Bowl victory potentially over what experts are calling the NFL’s greatest team ever, the New England Patriots…

Why Green Bay will win: Brett Favre will run out of the tunnel. Green Bay’s iconic leader is the heart and soul of an offense that can beat teams both on the ground and through the air. An impressive offensive line will give Favre just enough time to throw against a fierce Giants pass rush, allowing him to find members of a young but underestimated receiving corps. Then, you have running back Ryan Grant. The 25 year-old rookie from Notre Dame shredded the Seattle defense for 201 yards on 27 carries in the divisional round and should get at least that many carries on Sunday. He will find enough holes to keep the Giants defense on its heels, opening up passing lanes for his future Hall-of-Fame quarterback.

Why New York will win: Eli and company are absolute road warriors. With their upset victory last Sunday in Dallas, the Giants are now 9-1 this season away from the Meadowlands. To continue their streak, the Giants will have to beat Brett Favre in his own backyard winter wonderland that is Lambeau Field, traditionally one of the hardest places to win, particularly in the winter months. With the conditions not very conducive to throwing the ball, Eli will lean heavily on the newest version of ‘Thunder and Lightning’ in running backs Brandon Jacobs (6-4, 265 lbs.) and Ahmad Bradshaw (5-9, 198 lbs.). The Giants will have success running the ball against a mainly inexperienced Green Bay defense, most notably at linebacker. With an established ground attack, Manning will be provided the opportunity to play pitch-and-catch with veteran receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer and first-year man Steve Smith.

Monday’s Headline Will Read… “Pack, running game put freeze on Giants’ road streak.” As good as the Giants have been away from home this season, not even the hottest of teams has an easy time surviving the chill that descends upon Lambeau this time of year. With temperatures expected to dip below zero and a slight chance for precipitation on Sunday, points will be at a premium. Green Bay’s armed and ready running arsenal will neutralize New York’s normally effective pass rush while Eli’s playoff luck will run out, prompting the many critics to place the proverbial monkey squarely back on his back.

Prediction: Green Bay 23 - New York 14

by Ryan Faller
ProFootball-fans.com Guest writer

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