NFC Title Game Preview

Packers (-7.5) over Giants

Seriously, congratulations are in order here. Who would have thought that Eli would be the Manning brother to play his way into a title game this year? He deserves all the accolades and love being dumped on him this week. It is so good for his psyche (described by a team official as 'skittish' earlier this year) to be playing so well and to be reminded of it constantly. Oh, who am I kidding? Eli Manning is Trent Dilfer '07.

Everyone wants to point at his improved play at quarterback the last two weeks: this has been because he hasn't been asked to do anything. You're talking about a quarterback who hasn't thrown 200 yards in either playoff game, and led an offense to only 57 total yards in the second half of the Cowboys meltdown...I mean, the Giants win. This team is winning because of it's ability to get pressure on the passer, to dominate in the running game, and that Eli doesn't screw it all up. This weekend, at the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field, all three wheels are coming off.

The Green Bay offensive line has given up the fewest sacks in the NFL this year, because they are big, physical, and impossible to intimidate. The running game will be kept bottled up, since the Packers defense has allowed only 177 rushing yards in their last 3 games, including a break out 102-yard day by Chicago's Adrian Peterson in week 16. Plus, this is a team that builds on it's lead, so when Eli and co. go down early in the cold weather he hates so much, Favre will pile on the points. This game won't even be close.

Packers 35, Giants 14