NFL: Packers can Exorcise Demons Against Giants

Fans in Green Bay remember their last playoff game against the Giants and they’re hungry for revenge this weekend. Al Dannity says an aerial barrage will see the Packers become the first Super Bowl champion since 2004 to make a conference title game.

Good job Giants
Sunday was a great day for the Giants’ defensive line and, eventually, their running backs. The front four got in the face of the Falcons all day and never let up. It took a little longer for the Giants to establish a presence on the ground but once they did it was a joy to watch. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw intimidated Atlanta all day and forced the Falcons to respect Big Blue’s running game. That created time for Eli Manning to create some big plays, including two touchdown passes to Hakeem Nicks.

NFL betting fans know that now they must step up a level. Beating the Falcons 24-2 was impressive but they can’t expect to post a near-shutout in Lambeau Field. The Packers will present a much more threatening offensive game. This means the Giants will have to start clicking when in possession much earlier than they managed last week.

The great got better
The Packers barely made the playoffs in 2010 and got there with half their roster on IR. They turned the ragtag group that remained into Super Bowl champions. It should have surprised no-one that they managed to post a near perfect season in 2011, with a line-up that was actually healthy. Aaron Rodgers joined the elite ranks of NFL quarterbacks a year ago. This season he has set about ensuring his Hall of Fame legacy. A second title in as many years would go a long way towards securing his bust in Canton. With Jermichael Finley and Jordy Nelson at the ready, he’ll fancy his chances of adding another playoff win to his resume this weekend.

The verdict
Last Sunday’s game between Atlanta and Big Blue looked like a match-up to decide who got served up to the Packers before kick-off. It didn’t look a whole lot different afterwards. Dominant as the Giants were, they were impotent early yet never really came under pressure because of some knuckle-headed play calling by the Falcons. I just can’t see that being the case on Sunday. The Giants have the talent to hang with anyone but lack the consistency to be trusted in a game like this. I like the Packers to progress to the NFC title game.

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