I’ve never been more happy to be wrong in my life.
Maybe it was a lack of faith in Eli Manning. Maybe I didn’t put enough stock in the array of pregame distractions facing the Dallas Cowboys. Maybe I just didn’t think, after two regular season thrashings, the Giants could find a way to hold the Cowboys under 20 points.
But as Tony Romo imploded down the stretch last Sunday, making some bad throws and calling out his offensive linemen for missed blocks, it started to look like the Giants (with a patchwork secondary and injuries all over the field) not only could win the game, but would. And when R.W. McQuarters picked off Romo with 10 seconds left, the Giants were on their way to the NFC title game.
So I’d love to say that anything that happens from here out is gravy, that I’m just happy the Giants made it this far and hope they give Green Bay a game, but the truth is that I think the Giants CAN win in Lambeau. Granted, they need a lot to fall in their favor, but they’re playing passionate, mistake-free football right now. But before I get to the NFC matchup, I’ll start with the Patriots and surprising Chargers, who have put together their own shocking run through the playoffs, dispatching the Titans two weeks ago before knocking off the Colts at home last weekend in a game many thought the Colts would win going away. So do the Bolts have the juice to take out the Patriots? Let’s take a look.
San Diego (13-5) at New England (17-0): The Chargers surprised everyone by beating the Colts – and few will be picking them to beat the Patriots this weekend. Certainly, it could be done – San Diego has won eight straight games by dominating both sides of the ball, and they’ve got the defensive line to put pressure on Tom Brady and disrupt New England’s attack. But Indy and San Diego beat the hell out of each other last weekend, and the Chargers’ offensive stars – Philip Rivers, LaDanian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates – are banged up. Even if the Chargers are able to match New England’s offensive production, the cold weather in Gillette Stadium (the forecast is calling for temperatures in the teens) will make it tough for them to execute their defensive game plan. I think this one will stay close throughout the first half, as both teams try to get a feel for each other, but the Patriots will steadily increase the pressure in the second half and ice the game in the fourth quarter to earn a ticket to Super Bowl XLII. Score: New England 27, San Diego 17.
New York Giants (12-6) at Green Bay (14-3): Do the Giants have a shot? Yes. Do they need to play almost perfect football? Absolutely. Make no mistake – they didn’t dominate Dallas last weekend. A number of drops, stupid penalties, undisciplined quarterback play and a tired offensive line killed the Cowboys last Sunday. The Giants were fortunate enough to not make any major mistakes. They’ll need to be more aggressive this Sunday in attacking the Packers, particularly on the defensive side of the ball – they absolutely cannot let Brett Favre get into a rhythm, or he’ll put the game out of reach by himself. Running back Ryan Grant should also concern the New York – an ex-Giant, he fits the mold of Marion Barber, the Dallas rusher who killed the Giants in the first half of the divisional game. But something has happened to New York over the last couple of weeks – they’re playing with emotion now, a sense of pride and a winning spirit. And I trust Giant ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora to get to Favre early and often, disrupting Green Bay’s attack and helping Eli get settled in a similar game plan that beat the Cowboys. In the biggest upset of the year, the Giants go into Lambeau Field and put some points on the board against the Packers, then hold off a furious rally to win the NFC crown. Score: New York Giants 23, Green Bay 21.
How does a Week 17 rematch for the Super Bowl sound? If that’s the way it breaks down, can anyone say they saw it coming three weeks ago?
Last week’s record: 2-2. Overall: 128-48.