Giants Are Almost There

New York Giants defeated the Green Bay Packers yesterday, and will face New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, on February 3, in Gendale, Arizona.

Packers were toughest opponents Giants faced in playoffs. It was the first sack–free game for the Giants this season, and the first sack–free game they won since 2005.

Expecting the Worst

Eli Manning had no fumbles or interceptions, even though it was windy, and the temperature was below zero – with a wind chill factor of -23. Rookie running back Ahmad Bradshaw said:

“Cold weather lasts three hours. A championship lasts forever.”

Who Are These Guys?

Meanwhile, after 85 passes, Eli Manning has not been intercepted in the playoffs.

Defense was superb, as usual. Packers could only convert one third down out of ten attempts. Ryan Grant, who rushed for over 200 yards last week, was held to 29 yards.

It is hard to believe that these are mostly the same players, without Tiki Barber, and Jeremy Shockey, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, for the past two years.

Penalties

Giants lost points on penalties.

Ahmad Bradshaw had 38 yard touchdown run nullified on a questionable holding call against guard David Diehl Chris Snee.

And Sam Madison lost his brain. After Packers failed to convert a third and eight, when the play was over, Madison threw down Packer receiver Vernand Morency, and stood over him, yelling. It was incredibly idiotic. Madison remained excited on the Giants sideline, pleading his case to Michael Strahan.

Madison’s penalty gave the Packers a first down, and Brett Favre threw a touchdown, to tight end Donald Lee, on the next play.

Thankfully, Packers were worse.

During the Giants opening drive of the second half, cornerback Al Harris, figured out how to intercept Eli Manning. On a third and nine, from the Giant 43, he knocked down Plaxico Burress, and caught the ball himself. Refs called it illegal contact.

Three plays later, on a third and five, Packer safety Nick Collins was called for roughing the passer, when he decided to give Eli Manning a shove, after he threw an incomplete pass, which would have forced the Giants to punt.

Ending An Era

Brett Favre did not play particularly well, despite a great offensive line which held the Giants without a sack for the first time this season. The last time Giants won a game without a sack, was on November 20, 2005, against Eagles.

Favre passed 35 times, with 19 completions, for 236 yards. However, Favre got 70 yards added, when Donald Driver turned a 20 yard pass, into a team record, 90 yard touchdown.

Favre blew his big chance, when he was intercepted by Corey Webster on the second play of overtime. Giants got the ball on Green Bay 34, and Lawrence Tynes, who had missed two earlier field goals, converted a 47 yard kick, four plays later. Favre said:

“I was disappointed that the last pass I threw was intercepted”

One More Time

I said that Giants would be in Super Bowl, in October, after defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo got a chance to play against Philadelphia, where he coached for eight years, and the Giants played their best game in decades.

I think New York Giants can beat New England Patriots if their offense plays well enough, and they do not commit any idiotic penalties.

Giants play Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, on February 3^rd at 6 P.M. EST

Go Giants!