I will go with the upset, Giants 27-24.

I've been on the Giants bandwagon, but it stops here. I don't think they'll beat the Packers in Lambeau. I expect a close competitive game, but ultimately, I think the Packers are a little better and that, combined with the home field advantage, will be enough to put them on top. I think another blizzard would really boost NY's chances though...especially if they can't get some DB's healthy. If the weather is good, the Packers should be able to exploit the Giants pass coverage...the Giants front four better bring everything they've got, because if they have a bad game, it could get ugly.

 

The Giants need Eli to continue to play smart and efficient and they need Jacobs and the running game to show up big and allow them to chew up clock and score points. On defense, like I said, the front four has to pressure Favre and disrupt the passing game.

 

For Green Bay, if they can run the ball well, and neutralize the Giants pass rush, they should be able to score with ease, IMO. On defense, they need to stop the run and force Eli to beat them with his arm and hopefully force him into some mistakes. If they can get a lead and take the Giants out of their game plan, this game could get out of hand.

 

My guess...the Giants front four plays well, which keeps the Giants in the game. But, ultimately, I think the Packers will make more plays and win a competitive game.

 

Packers 27

Giants 17

I really hope Favre can get it done this year. I would love to see him have a Jerome Bettis type retirement. A Super Bowl Title would be a great ending to a great, storied career. Although as young as the Packers are, I could see him coming back for one or two more seasons.

Go Pack Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you live in Louisville and you are a Packers fan then head to Dutch's to watch the game. I did it last week and it was a blast. I will be there this week with all the Pack crazies!

I think the only person that is suprised when the Packers win days is Bret Favre. I really like the Packers and take them by 3 touchdowns. The Giants are too injured in their secondary and Bret will recognize that. Ryan Grant has become a really good RB these days.

^That quote of Lomabardi's was my all time favorite of his as well Ram - great post.

 

"What the heck's a going on out here?" .....

"If you can accept losing, you can't win. If you can walk, you can run. There is no "hurt", hurt is in your mind"..........

"Show me a good loser and I will show you a loser"......

One More : " Football is what the Green bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory, they did it because they loved one another"

I love his quotes, there are too many to list, I love reading "quotes" from all of our past greats...Lombardi, Bear Bryant, Woody Hayes, Adolph Rupp, etc....

 

I have a book of Lombardi quotes that I got at the Hall of Fame, I love it. He is the king of motivation, I can read his quotes and be motivated to do anything, he can motivate you to run the vacuum.

 

While coaching JFL, parents would ask me where I got the catchy phrases and motivational speeches about football and life, if they didn't recognize them as being from Lombardi, I would just say, "From a coach".

Packers.

The more I think about this game, the more I question whether the Giants are going to be able to hang with the Packers. Their secondary is decimated with injuries. They did a nice job last week of avoiding being exploited in that area, but I don't think they'll be able to do that two weeks in a row. I think Green Bay could pull away and win big in this game...I was too conservative in my original prediction of 27-17 Packers.

 

I'm feeling more like 38-17 today. Yeah, that's what I'm going with...

 

Packers 38, Giants 17

The more I think about this game, the more I question whether the Giants are going to be able to hang with the Packers. Their secondary is decimated with injuries. They did a nice job last week of avoiding being exploited in that area, but I don't think they'll be able to do that two weeks in a row. I think Green Bay could pull away and win big in this game...I was too conservative in my original prediction of 27-17 Packers.

 

I'm feeling more like 38-17 today. Yeah, that's what I'm going with...

 

Packers 38, Giants 17

 

Aaron Ross said he will play next week, and I look for the Giants to get Sam Madison and/or Kevin Dockery back.

 

Regardless, the Giants must get pressure on Favre to win.

Aaron Ross said he will play next week, and I look for the Giants to get Sam Madison and/or Kevin Dockery back.

 

Regardless, the Giants must get pressure on Favre to win.

 

Just because he says he plays, doesn't mean that he is going to be ready to go.

 

IMO, a lot of the game lies up front. As a lot of people have said, it is going to be cold, very cold. That means the ground games will have to come to work. The Giants already want to do that because they want to keep Favre off the field. I think the Giants ground game is more on the O Line than Brandon Jacobs because I think that he has shown that he can get where he needs to go if there is a hole. They need to prevent penetration and get to the second level.

 

The Packers O line nees to be effective in the run game also. The need to not rely so much on that 5 wide set because they don't know what it is like trying to catch Brett Favre thrown passes in sub zero weather, I firmly believe there will be some dropped passes of normally routine catches in this game caused by weather. Also, if they can run the ball, they can keep Omenyiora, Strahan, Tuck, Kiwanuka etc. from completely teeing off on their tackles and Brett with the speed rush.

 

Getting a lead for the pack puts more pressure on Eli, which, even though Eli has been solid in the playoffs, I think would be an ideal plan for Green Bay. It is hard to tackle big backs like Jacobs anyways, and in the cold every hit is twice as bad, so get that lead and tell Eli to beat you.

My prediction.........team with the most points at the end wins. I agree w/ no excuses that the running games are gonna be big in this one. After that, I just hope its a good game.

Just because he says he plays, doesn't mean that he is going to be ready to go.

 

IMO, a lot of the game lies up front. As a lot of people have said, it is going to be cold, very cold. That means the ground games will have to come to work. The Giants already want to do that because they want to keep Favre off the field. I think the Giants ground game is more on the O Line than Brandon Jacobs because I think that he has shown that he can get where he needs to go if there is a hole. They need to prevent penetration and get to the second level.

 

The Packers O line nees to be effective in the run game also. The need to not rely so much on that 5 wide set because they don't know what it is like trying to catch Brett Favre thrown passes in sub zero weather, I firmly believe there will be some dropped passes of normally routine catches in this game caused by weather. Also, if they can run the ball, they can keep Omenyiora, Strahan, Tuck, Kiwanuka etc. from completely teeing off on their tackles and Brett with the speed rush.

 

Getting a lead for the pack puts more pressure on Eli, which, even though Eli has been solid in the playoffs, I think would be an ideal plan for Green Bay. It is hard to tackle big backs like Jacobs anyways, and in the cold every hit is twice as bad, so get that lead and tell Eli to beat you.

 

Kiwanuka was put on the injured reserve about 8 weeks ago.

Packers by 13.

I have a book of Lombardi quotes that I got at the Hall of Fame, I love it. He is the king of motivation, I can read his quotes and be motivated to do anything, he can motivate you to run the vacuum. While coaching JFL, parents would ask me where I got the catchy phrases and motivational speeches about football and life, if they didn't recognize them as being from Lombardi, I would just say, "From a coach".

 

Whoa now Ram, don't know if that would happen. Of course Mrs. O.R. can lets say...."inspire" me to run the vacum.

Aaron Ross said he will play next week, and I look for the Giants to get Sam Madison and/or Kevin Dockery back.

 

Regardless, the Giants must get pressure on Favre to win.

 

No doubt...pressuring Favre (from the Giants POV) and protecting Favre (from Packers POV) is the #1 key to this game, IMO.

 

My post wasn't meant to down the Giants or imply they don't have a chance. I absolutely think they can win and won't be shocked if they do. But, I just feel like Green Bay is going to protect Favre and eventually get the Giants into a come from behind game and pull away for a comfortable victory. I could be wrong and we'll find out soon enough...