NFC Championship–Packers-Giants Prediction/Preview

>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 4^th 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