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NFL: New York Giants win NFC over Packers in Ice-Kissed, Overtime Classic
The NFL Playoffs in the NFC, a -24 degree, wind-chilled, ice-kissed classic, with the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers throwing us back to our Father’s era, with Ice Bowls, the Packers and the Giants. A battle of wills, with both teams battling Mother Nature on a below-zero January evening, the Giants, after dethawing, move forward to a rematch with the perfect Patriots, at 18-0.
With a 10 game road winning streak locked tight, the “other” Manning, Eli, is suddenly “the” Manning, with brother Peyton on the sidelines watching his little Brother lead the Giants to the big show. Although no mantle has been passed, Eli has squashed any comment about not living up to his last name, not being able to lead a team, and not being able to play when the weather is not to his liking.
In the end it was Brett Favre who blinked, heaving up an interception in overtime, which the Giants gladly drew in, capitalizing with the game winning field goal, 23-20. It was Eli Manning who kept a cool hand on the throttle of the New York Giants’ offensive attack, besting the more experienced Favre in Favre’s backyard. That is the price a gunslinger sometimes pays.
Tom Coughlin goes to his first Super Bowl as Head Coach, and maybe someone might want to tell Coach about skin protectant in sub-zero temperatures. Dude looked like his face was going to fall off with 14:00 to go in the first quarter. Had Lawrence Tynes missed his third field goal in a row, Tom Coughlin might have choked his Kicker to death right on the field. Luckily for Tynes and the New York Giants, Tynes made the game-winning 47-yarder, his 3rd made field goal of the night.
The New York Giants, a most unlikely Super Bowl entrant, escaped from the middle of a wildcard pack to NFC Champion, all three playoff wins coming in hostile territory, including two versus 13-3 opponents that had byes in the first round. Congratulations New York Giants—the biggest hill is yet to be climbed, but for now, enjoy your unexpected bounty.
P.S.—Tell Budweiser to lose those ads, like now. That Doofus giving his Masters thesis on brewing when we’re trying to get our NFC Championship on–not feelin’it!
Question if you wish to comment: How surprised are you by the Giants winning the NFC?
NFL: New England Patriots 18-0, win AFC, Chargers Hang Tough
The New England Patriots were not playing for 18-0 in the AFC Championship game against the San Diego Chargers. The New England Patriots were playing for 19-0, and the right to be called the greatest team in NFL History, a perfect season hanging in the balance.
The San Diego Chargers gave the AFC hell these playoffs, coming oh so close to pulling off huge, back-to-back upsets of the two powerhouses of the AFC, New England and the Indianapolis Colts. I have a hard time remembering a team coming out of the wildcard scene in the NFL Playoffs, and giving such a scare to the playoff elite. The New England Patriots, the Greatriots as some have called them, move on, bruised but again still perfect in their win at home over the Chargers.
The Chargers kept it whisker-close, 14-12 after the clock had run out on the third quarter. Home-field advantage never hurts, but the New England Patriots victory was again, as it has been all season long for these Patriots, based on being the best team in the NFL, maybe the best the league has ever seen.
The issue of perfection will be settled in two weeks in the Super Bowl. When the Patriots, up 14-12 in the early stages of the fourth quarter, needed separation from what has become the second-best team in the AFC (NFL?), they as per usual, got it. The Chargers displayed the heart of a champion, and their time could be coming, sprung off the platform of these impressive playoff performances. Not now though. It has been their season since Labor Day.
So Bill Belichick is running the NFL’s version of IBM, business of the day dispatching their nearest competitor, off to the next challenge, the Super Bowl.
A question to comment on if you wish: Are the Patriots the greatest NFL team you have ever seen?
Brett Favre – NFC Championship Clock Is Ticking
It is an unlikely NFC game of the year, and while the fate of two great NFL franchises are decided, the clock is ticking on Brett Favre’s career. Ticking so loud that you will hear it over the riotous scene that will be Lambeau Field. Brett Favre is fighting back time. His weapons, once lethal on the football field, have stayed by his side just long enough for him to go into deep January combat, paving the way for an NFC Title game in the Frozen Tundra that is Green Bay. Time is an enemy that no one can defeat. Brett Favre has an opportunity to make it otherwise.
The scene will be pure NFL marketing, much as it was last week in Green Bay. A timeless picture of the storied stadium, a deep-freeze blowing the arctic air of “Ice-Bowls” and other great days gone by, and #4 as always under Center.
In the darkest recesses of Brett Favre’s mind, there is the knowledge that time is drawing thin. The pressure to win for Favre is here, and it is now. His counterpart, Eli Manning, can play without that kind of pressure on him, courtesy of Father Time not standing over, watching, waiting. Brett Favre knows better than anyone how infrequent these opportunities are. This may be his last, great chance.
Once upon a time Favre had the clock on his side. If Green Bay lost a playoff game, it stung but they were a team on the come. Next year would be their turn. They had Mike Holmgren calling shots. They had the late, great Reggie White anchoring a bruising defense. They too had Favre. Favre too had time.
Opportunity in this NFL is a fickle mistress. At 14-3, the Packers are the surprise darlings of the NFL. Having retired from the big stage in recent seasons, the Packers have this opportunity, bright lights and all, to once again steal the spotlight. Favre knows this stage. Many of his teammates do not. Some say their 14-3 record has been accomplished by smoke and mirrors. Favre has his fingerprints all over these Packers, and their 14 wins are real enough.
Green Bay and Favre have caught second-wind. Critics who called for Favre to step aside in recent years, have had their voices shouted down by the steel of his play. The bigger question is: now that the Packers have this last chance with Favre at the helm, are they and he ready to beat the clock one more time?
Time races forward towards the Super Bowl. Time races forward for Brett Favre. Opportunity is racing just ahead of Brett Favre for perhaps the last time in the Favre era. Can he catch it before time catches him?
AFC Championship Game – Patriots / Chargers Prediction, Preview
The San Diego Chargers wrecked all neat plans made by everyone waiting for another Patriots-Colts death match for AFC supremacy. The Indianapolis Colts were defending Super Bowl Champions. It sure didn’t feel that way this season, due to the NFL death grip applied by the New England Patriots, reeling off 17 straight in maniacal fashion. The Colts nature is not to go parading for attention, as opposed to their alter-ego that also got flushed, the Dallas Cowboys.
The Chargers have the opportunity to slay the best regular season NFL team ever this weekend in New England. The Patriots appear unbeatable, but as San Diego proved last weekend they are capable of winning on the road, against a Super Bowl-caliber team. Here though, we must differentiate between very good and 17-0. These Patriots are the goods. They can smash you, they can beat you by a field goal, they take what you give them, and have kept the right side of the ledger oval since Labor Day.
Quarterback Tom Brady is truly patient, a surgeon with a red, white and blue scalpel, initialed by Bill Belichick. Belichick has this team primed. I cannot imagine a letdown, especially after what the Chargers did to Indianapolis. You know that Coach “sky is falling” will preach the message that anything can happen, and to not take a team that was not expected to be in the AFC Championship Game lightly.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers may not go thanks to an injured knee. If that is the case, backup Billy Volek will again be pressed into action. Look, I was impressed as anyone by what Volek did when all the chips were down versus the Colts. However, that was one big series, while here he will face 17-0 for an entire game.
The Chargers are a great story. They are fire hot and are not afraid obviously of playing on the road in a big spot. They have the heart of a champion, but the Patriots have the same, are at home, don’t mind playing in the cold, are 17-0, and are arguably the best team ever. This is not a knock against the Chargers. The task is too much for anyone. San Diego’s time is coming for a title perhaps. Just not in the middle of 19-0. Patriots, 31-20.
NFC Championship–Packers-Giants Prediction/Preview
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A very improbable matchup upcoming for NFC supremacy as the upstart New York Giants pack their bags for the third consecutive week in these NFL Playoffs, this time heading to the frozen tundra that is known as Green Bay. The Green Bay Packers are waiting, the home-field advantage having fallen into their lap courtesy of a Dallas meltdown against the Giants.
The Giants, having done the Packers bidding in that regard, go on the road to win this season, with their only loss away from Giants Stadium this year being at Dallas in the regular season. It is hard to say that Green Bay is a step up in competition over Dallas for the Giants, although at 13-3, the Packers have fooled everyone up until this point. The Packers of course are led by Brett Favre, the gun-slinging quarterback who never seems to get older by playing standards.
Favre will see another young gun in Eli Manning trot into town, looking to go to his own first Super Bowl, without brother Peyton’s shadow hanging over him in the playoffs this year. The Giants have been nothing if not resilient in these playoffs, having shot down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then the Dallas Cowboys.
The New York Giants will not be intimidated by the hallowed Green Bay home advantage. The G-Men are also used to playing in cold weather, however, a bone- shaking, single-digit temperature is scheduled to await both squads, so wear your long-johns, even when watching on TV. Manning has been very solid in the two Giant victories, and a case can be made that it is Favre who could implode given his slinging style and the added pressure that his time is running out if this year does not come up aces. Manning, on the other hand is playing with house money for the first time as a pro.
Both teams are hot and confident. It should be a close one, and I would not be surprised if it comes down to a two-minute drill by either team in the 4th quarter. I have to go with the Giants, in another upset on the road. Try 17-14, and another Super Bowl spot for Big Blue, with Eli as the Manning going to the big show this time.
Photo–SI.com
Top 10 Reasons Why Eli Manning Has Gotten Really, Really Good
Everyone is shocked by the recent play and growth of New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning in these NFL Playoffs. A source close to the soon-to-be All-Pro Quarterback details for us the top 10 reasons why Eli Manning has suddenly gotten really, really good.
1. Puberty.
2. Asks his sweetheart to the prom, and she says yes (even giving Eli a kiss on the cheek).
3. Beats Big Brother Peyton for the first time at ping pong. This event is also directly related to Peyton losing his confidence, and playoff game to San Diego.
4. Giants Coach Tom Coughlin lets Eli sit at the adult table during pre-game meal versus the Patriots.
5. Father Archie acknowledges Eli once again as his biological Son.
6. Eli’s real girlfriend turns out to be Jessica Simpson. Jessica was only hanging with Tony Romo to cause chaos in camp Cowboys (job well done, Jessica!) to help her man Eli. The couple plan to go to Mexico, but only AFTER the Super Bowl—good choice kids.
7. Jeremy Shockey begs forgiveness from Eli for calling him “Sissy” and “Daddy’s Boy” for the past 4 years.
8. Starts eating his Wheaties.
9. Steals the Manning’s “Mojo Machine” from Peyton.
10. Stops thinking so damn much and starts becoming the player the Giants drafted.
Photo SI.com. Article is fiction although I wish it were real.
Top 10 List-Characters on new Cowboys TV series
The Dallas Cowboys, coming off their crushing playoff loss to the New York Giants in the NFL Playoffs, have announced a prime-time series based on the team to be televised on Fox this off-season. Following is a list of the top 10 characters to be on this prime-time soap opera. The show, aptly named, “Unlikable People Creating Horrible Karma,” is the centerpiece of the new Fox season.
#1-Tony Romo, character name “Jinx.” Jinx will be known for his ability to melt down in various ways when times get tough. Slippery footballs, weekend trips to Mexico with Jessica Simpson and throwdowns with T.O. will all be part of the drama.
#2-Jessica Simpson, character name “Minx.” Minx will throw the Cowboys chemistry upside down by dating Jinx, taking him to Mexico when the team needs him most, and causing all kinds of drama.
#3-T.O., character name “Diva 81.” Diva 81 will bring ‘da drama on a weekly basis. His needy, almost effeminate desire to be loved and adored will be felt from the first episode. His crying outbursts from Jinx dating hot pop stars and stealing headlines will be on full display. Wait, I mean crying outbursts from the team losing and him caring so much.
#4-Britney Spears, character name “What The Hell Happened?” What The Hell Happened will provide the attempted love triangle between her, Jinx and Minx. What the hell happened will be a former child star with a mess of issues.
#5-Bill Parcells, character name “Big Bill.” Deep in the heart of Texas sits Jerry Jones’ mortal enemy, Big Bill. Bill will be the competing football man that comes back to take revenge on Jerry Jones (or J.J. as he will be known) and the ‘Boys.
#6-Jimmy Johnson, character name “Hair Guy.” Hair Guy will be known as the old, lovable ex-coach that led the Cowboys to their past glory. His legendary sense of hair care sensibilities and hair care product knowledge will be focused on.
#7-Bill Belichick, character name “Homeless Coach.” A mysterious, homeless-looking man who wears torn garments, Homeless Coach is befriended by Big Bill to run the competing team in town.
#8-Shaq, character name “The Big Guest Star.” It wouldn’t be drama without The Big Guest Star. Dallas will be rocked by The Big Guest Star, as the basketball phenom whose dream it is to be the best Punter in the world.
#9-Wade Philips, character name “No Playoff Wins.” No Playoff Wins is the lovable Coach who couldn’t shoot straight. His firing is coming, but until then, he will try his best to lead the Cowboys on the field.
#10-Jerry Jones, character name “J.J.” The head honcho of the Dallas Cowboys, J.J., much like his predecessor, J.R., will run the show and be the law of the Cowboys. Big ego and small results lately have made J.J. quite ornery. Watch the sparks fly as he, Jinx, Diva 81 and company come your way this season on Fox.
We have learned that the finale of season one will center around, “Who Shot J.J.” Everyone is a suspect, and no stone will be unturned when Dallas’ big cheese goes down.
Photo-SI.com
San Diego Chargers out-heart Peyton and Colts, 28-24
Indianapolis Colts fans—your excuses tonight are your own. You had every opportunity to advance to face your rival the New England Patriots in the NFL Playoffs. Instead, the off-season has arrived via the express courtesy of a 28-24 shock against an undermanned San Diego Chargers squad.
All credit to San Diego, who was led by Billy Volek and Michael Turner. Who? What? Yes, these two came off the bench thanks to matching knee injuries to quarterback Philip Rivers and running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Turner was really the star of the day, rushing for 71 yards on 17 carries, while Volek came through on a touchdown drive to seal the victory, going 3-4 passing for 48 yards.
In a very exciting and much anticipated game, the Chargers never backed down and never quit, even though by all rights it was Indy’s game to have. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning did throw 2 interceptions, but both were tips. Peyton played very well otherwise, and in fairness it cannot be said he was a cause of failure for the Colts.
However, what can be questioned whole”heart”edly is the mettle of these Colts. They were considered before last year unable to win the big one. They of course won the Super Bowl last year so maybe they get kind of a pass, however, they lost to a team in San Diego that wanted it more, had played last week, was on the road, and was without their quarterback and running back stars. That my friends, calls for a victory. With all that stacked in their favor, they could not pull it off. San Diego with a huge win in pocket, goes with house money to New England to try to slay the 17-0 beast that is the Patriots.
Photo–peytonmanning18.com
Dallas Cowboys haters rejoice, Giants roll, 21-17
The New York Giants have done the bidding for every Cowboys hater in this great land of ours. There is no other team that more people would like to have seen gone down this side of the New England Patriots. That moment has arrived, weeks earlier than we at Dallas Cowboys Hater Nation dared dream. For those of us New York Giants fans, this one is for all the years, all the suffering, all the beatings, all the arrogance, all the sense of entitlement.
The gutsy performance, spearheaded by the injured Giants defense, flustered Tony Romo out of his game and took the Cowboys offense with him. Eli Manning has now won back-to-back playoff games, the first two of his career. If anyone were to tell you that one Manning would be left to go to the Championship game round, and that Manning would be Eli, you would have laughed. But yet, here we are. Eli and the Giants packing their bags to go to hallowed Green Bay for a showdown with Brett Favre.
Wade Phillips can pack his bags because he is so fired it is unbelievable. He was probably gone anyway, but this is just the excuse Jerry Jones was looking for anyway. The 21-17 Giants win was the first meeting ever in the playoffs between these two long-time rivals, and marked the first time since the divisional playoff round play began (1990) that a #1 seed went down (they were 17-0 until now).
Poor Jerry Jones. He was clapping and stomping on the sidelines right next to Wade Phillips. Who does he think he is, Mark Cuban? Anyhow, a loss of composure all around, and truth be told, the Cowboys were not themselves the past month or so anyhow. One could see this coming, versus a tough division rival that knows them well, their quarterback out partying with Jessica Simpson, etc. If you want to be Joe Namath, well son, you still have some work to do.
Photo–content.clearchannel.com
