SB Nation Giants 2011-2012 New York Giants
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-- The Giants and Packers will meet Sunday at Lambeau Field in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game
-- Giants vs. Falcons coverage
-- SB Nation New York Giants Hub Page
Praise for the New York Giants is pouring in from all corners in the wake of Sunday's 37-20 thrashing of the Green Bay Packers in an NFC Divisional Round game. Peter King of SI.com joined the praise-party Monday morning in his weekly 'Monday Morning Quarterback' column.
King recounted the decision by then-GM Ernie Accorsi to trade for Eli Manning in 2004, and refuse to include Osi Umenyiora in the deal. Manning was brilliant, as usual, Sunday and Umenyiora had a strip/sack of Aaron Rodgers that was probably the game's critical defensive play.
In his 'Fine Fifteen,' King had the Giants, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers as co-No. 1s. The Giants certainly have come a long way.
Here is part of what King said in reviewing Sunday's New York victory:
The Packers looked a lot more like a 7-9 team Sunday than 15-1. Credit the Giants quarterback for being better than the presumptive MVP, the Giants receivers being better, and the Giants defense being loads better.
Here is what he said in ranking the Giants atop his 'Fine Fifteen':
Memories of 2007 are so valid they're scary. Eli Manning hitting every receiver even slightly open, and a pass rush that won't quit. Big, big trouble for anyone right now.
The New York Giants will be the underdogs in the NFC Championship, which will hardly come as a surprise to New York Giants fans. By now Giants fans — and the Giants themselves — should be used to the underdog role.
After defeating the heavily-favored Green Bay Packers to reach the NFC Championship Game, the Giants have been established as two-point underdogs against the San Francisco 49ers in the early odds.
Related: SB Nation Calls For An Upset By The Giants
The 49ers won the NFC West and advanced to the title game with a thrilling 36-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. The Giants won the NFC East and have now earned four consecutive victories.
The teams met in San Francisco during the regular season and the 49ers came out with a 27-20 victory. Like Sunday’s title game that matchup was in San Francisco.
— See Big Blue View for more about the Giants. See Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area for complete coverage of the 49ers.
It is tough to come out of Lambeau Field with a victory, especially in the playoffs during the winter months when the Green Bay Packers most seem to be in their element. During Sunday's NFC Divisional playoff loss to the New York Giants, it was the Packers who seemed out of sorts, however, coughing up the football three times and notching eight dropped passes on the night.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said after the game that his team had done a good job of preparation the week before the game, and even spent extra time making sure they handled the football properly in the cold weather.
"The turnover ratio was something we take a lot of pride, something we spend a lot of time in," McCarthy said. We've been excessive frankly, handling the football in the winter weather preparing for the opportunity in playoff games, and we did not do a very good job handling the football."
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers echoes his head coach's sentiments on his team's preparation, while expressing his disappointment in falling short of the Super Bowl coming of a 15-1 regular season record.
"You forget about how bad this feeling is," Rodgers said. "We had it after the 2009 season when we lost to Arizona, it sucks."
He added:
"[It's] dissapointing, because every year is unique to itself and different guys, different oppsortunities. ... So that's probably the most disappointing thing, to stand in there knowing that is probably your last time together with these guys."
For more on the Packers, head over to the SB Nation blog Acme Packing Company. For more on the Giants, check out Big Blue View. Stay tuned to our updated StoryStream as well.
Here are some of the reactions from the New York Giants in their post-game press conference following Sunday's 37-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round playoff game.
Head coach Tom Coughlin:
"Very happy for our players, for our coaches, for our ownership. ... We were excited to come here and play, we knew what we were up against and I thought we did an outstanding job.
"We had the turnovers, the turnover margin (4-1 Giants) was huge. We talk about that always, but in the playoffs the turnover margin is usually the indicator of success."
Related: Giants Players Take To Twitter To Celebrate
Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks on his Hail Mary reception:
"I got down there, I didn't really see who was around me. All I saw was the ball."
Eli Manning on the Hail Mary:
You practice the Hail Mary, everybody knew what to do. ... First one that's ever been caught. Great job by Hakeem. Just threw it up there."
Running back Brandon Jacobs:
"We have the mentality to want to win and make plays, and that's what Hakeem did on that play," Jacobs said. "That's what Hakeem did on that play. He made a difference. It kind of broke their backs. I saw 'em walking off the field. They had their heads down. I pretty much knew they were done.
"We played against a great football team and we won."
As well as Eli Manning and Hakeem Nicks played, not to mention the New York Giants secondary, Green Bay Packers fans have plenty of reason to feel like they let Sunday night's NFC Divisional Playoff game slip through their fingers. The Packers turned the ball over four times, three on fumbles, and dropped eight passes spread among seven different targets. Unsurprisingly, the reactions across the twitter/blogosphere have run the gamut of emotions, starting with the Packers starting quarterback himself:
Kevin McCauley, a soccer editor and contributor at SB Nation, not to mention Packer fan, wondered who exactly Green Bay was playing against:
@kevinmccauley
Kevin McCauley The Green Bay Packers and Hakeem Nicks are beating the shit out of the Green Bay Packers. Are the New York Giants playing in this game?
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Andy Hutchins, an editor at SB Nation as well as at the Florida Gators blog Alligator Army, gave Giants fans their proper due ... kind of:
@AndyHutchins
Andy Hutchins This is the perfect game for Giants fans: A win over a really good team, AND SO MANY REASONS TO BITCH ABOUT THE REFS.
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Grant Butterfield, a writer over at Packers blog Acme Packing Company, noted that while Green Bay had the best record in football, the team's weaknesses were apparent throughout the year:
@GSchofield50
Grant Butterfield@purplebuckeye This GB team was probably the most vulnerable 15-1 outfit since the 2004 Steelers. With Collins out and an ineffective rush
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Meanwhile, Andrew Brandt of the National Football Post went for the troll option:
@adbrandt
Andrew Brandt Hard to believe Aaron Rodgers advanced as far in the playoffs as Tim Tebow...
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Finally, Acme Packing Company wrote a solid reaction piece to Sunday's game, putting the season in perspective for grieving Packers fans:
Unfortunately the offseason is starting much earlier than I expected, but the team just completed a 2011 year in which they won a Super Bowl and only lost one game. They deserve credit for an outstanding 15-1 season, and I expect to see them playing for the NFC Championship game again next year.
For more analysis on Sunday's game from a Packers perspective, stay tuned to Acme Packing Company. Giants blog Big Blue View is necessary reading as well, in addition the SB Nation New York's updated StoryStream.
All week long leading up to their NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers the New York Giants made no effort to hide the fact that they were looking forward to a rematch against once-beaten Green Bay after a 38-35 last-minute loss in the regular season.
After dispatching the Packers Sunday by the stunning score of 37-20 the Giants get a chance to play in the NFC Championship Game, and settle another score in the process. The Giants will travel to Candlestick Park next Sunday to face the San Francisco 49ers, a team that defeated the Giants in a hard-fought regular-season game back in November, 27-20.
Giants 37, Packers 20: Complete Coverage
The Giants reached the San Francisco 10-yard line late in the fourth quarter of that game with a chance to tie, but Eli Manning had a fourth-down pass batted down at the line of scrimmage to end the Giants hopes. The Giants had entered that game 6-2, and the loss began a stretch during which they lost five of six and nearly fell out of playoff contention.
San Francisco (14-3) won the NFC West championship. They advanced to the championship game with a thrilling 36-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith hit tight end Vernon Davis with a 14-yard pass for the winning touchdown with just nine seconds remaining.
In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens will meet the New England Patriots for the right to go to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5.
-- See SB Nation's NFL Hub Page for complete NFL playoff coverage
You had to think something special was brewing at the end of the first half when Eli Manning's Hail Mary rainbow settled into the arms of Hakeem Nicks for a 37-yard touchdown that sent the Giants into halftime of Sunday's NFC Divisional Round game leading the Green Bay Packers, 20-10.
If you thought that, you were right. The Giants continued to confound the Packers in the second half, taking advantage of four uncharacteristic turnovers and eight dropped passes by a Green Bay team that was +24 in takeaways/giveaways heading into the game.
The Giants, 11-7 overall, have now won four straight games since falling to 7-7 and looking like their season might end early for a third straight year.
"I think we're a dangerous team," said Giants coach Tom Coughlin after the game.
The Packers, who finish 15-2 and won't win back-to-back Super Bowls, would likely agree. So, too, would the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets. Those would be the three teams the Giants vanquished before Sunday.
So, how did the Giants defeat the Packers on Sunday?
They did it with Eli Manning outplaying Rodgers. Manning was 21-of-33 for 330 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. They did it with a relentless defense that sacked Rodgers four times and created multiple scoring opportunities off turnovers. They did it with big plays on offense from Hakeem Nicks in the passing game, and from Ahmad Bradshaw in the running game.
The teams traded scores in the early part of the game with Lawrence Tynes of the Giants hitting a 31-yard field goal and Mason Crosby of Green Bay matching it with a 47-yarder.
Nicks then made the first huge play, catching a pass from Manning over the middle, breaking a tackle and going 66 yards for a touchdown to put the Giants ahead, 10-3. Green Bay came right back with a nine-play, 60-yard drive to tie the game at 10-10 on the first play of the second quarter.
A 23-yard field goal by Tynes with 1:56 left in the half gave the Giants a 13-10 lead. After forcing Green Bay to punt the Giants moved to the Packers 37-yard line with just six seconds left in the half. Rather than try a short throw and a field goal, Manning lofted a Hail Mary to the left corner of the end zone and Nicks hauled it in for a 20-10 halftime lead for New York.
The Packers lost a scoring opportunity on their first possession of the second half. After driving to New York's 37, Rodgers was hit by Osi Umenyiora and fumbled, with the ball being recovered by Deon Grant of the Giants. New York could not turn that into points, but the turnover still slowed Green Bay.
The Packers got within seven, 20-13, on a Crosby 35-yard field goal with 3:55 left in the third quarter.
Green Bay appeared to be driving for a potential tying score early in the fourth quarter, moving from its own 24 to New York's 39-yard line. On fourth-and-five, however, Rodgers was sacked by Michael Boley, giving the ball back to the Giants with 13 minutes to play.
The Giants stretched the lead to 10, 23-13, when Tynes connected on a 35-yard field goal with 7:53 to play.
New York virtually clinched the game when Green Bay's Ryan Grant fumbled on the Packers next possession after being hit by Kenny Phillips. Linebacker Chase Blackburn recovered, and ran the ball to Green Bay's four-yard line.
Manning hit Mario Manningham for a touchdown on the ensuing play, giving the Giants a 30-13 lead with 6:53 to play.
Green Bay quickly answered with a touchdown on a 16-yard pass from Rodgers to Donald Driver with 4:52 to play. The Packers could not recover the ensuing onside kick, however, virtually ending the game. Brandon Jacobs added a 14-yard insurance touchdown for the Giants.
For the second time in four years the New York Giants have gone into Lambeau Field as a heavy underdog in a playoff game and emerged with a victory. The Giants Sunday defeated the heavily-favored defending Super Bowl champion Packers, 37-20. They will meet the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at Candlestick Park in the NFC Championship Game (6:30 p.m. ET/FOX).
In 2008 the Giants needed overtime to get past the Packers in the NFC Championship Game, 23-20. This time the Giants got most of their heroics early and never trailed, taking advantage of four Green Bay turnovers and eight Packers dropped passes to advance to oust the Packers.
Eli Manning completed 21-of-33 passes for 330 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for the Giants. Hakeem Nicks caught seven passes for 165 yards and two touchdows, a 66-yard catch-and-run and a 37-yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half.
The Giants, now 11-7 overall, lost to the 49ers earlier this season. San Francisco advanced with a last-second 36-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday.
-- Join the celebration with Giants fans at Big Blue View.
The New York Giants are well on there way to the next round of the playoffs after recovering another Green Bay Packers fumble. After a Giants field goal put them up 23-13 in the fourth quarter, they got the ball back just two plays later when Ryan Grant fumbled. Chase Blackburn returned the ball 40 yards for New York.
The Giants took the fumble and likely put the game away on Eli Manning's third touchdown pass of the day on the next play.
Hakeem Nicks was the recipient of the first two touchdown passes but Manning found Mario Manningham on this score. After the four-yard touchdown pass from Manning, the Giants now lead 30-13. Manning went over the 300-yard passing mark for the game earlier in the fourth quarter.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants lead the Green Bay Packers 20-13 after the third quarter of play from Lambeau Field.
The Packers started off with the ball to begin the second half. Green Bay moved it down to the Giants 30-yard line before Aaron Rodgers was sacked and lost the ball.
The Giants couldn't do anything with the turnover caused by Osi Umenyiora. New York went three and out when their third down and two rushing play couldn't get the first down.
Green Bay responded with a lengthy drive of nearly 5 minutes that sputtered out in the Giants' half of the field. Green Bay settled for a field goal to cut New York's lead to 20-13 with 3:55 to play. Mason Crosby's kick barely snuck inside the upright.
Green Bay having the ball so long in the quarter seemed to disrupt the Giants' offense which did not gain a first down in the third frame and only ran six plays.
Can the Giants hang on for the win? Stay tuned.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants lead the Green Bay Packers 20-10 after the first half of play at Lambeau Field.
After the Jennings non-fumble ruling from the first quarter was not overturned, the Packers scored a touchdown quickly in the second quarter on an Aaron Rodgers' pass to John Kuhn. Green Bay then tried an onside kick but the Giants recovered it.
The Giants then didn't exploit the short field. After their drive stalled, Lawrence Tynes' 40-yard field goal was blocked by Green Bay linebacker Brad Jones.
The teams traded possessions after the blocked field goal. Green Bay punted after reaching New York's half of the field. The Giants moved to the Green Bay 34-yard line before Eli Manning was intercepted at the 13-yard line. The Packers were driving again after the interception before John Kuhn fumbled it away. This one was a clear fumble that was correctly given to the Giants:
After that turnover, the Giants drove into the redzone but the rushing game's issues showed up again. New York couldn't punch the ball in on the ground and threw an incomplete pass before settling for a field goal to retake the lead, 13-10.
The Giants extended their lead following a long run play as the half was winding down. On the final play of the half, Eli Manning's hail mary pass was caught in the endzone by Hakeem Nicks.
The Lambeau Field crowd sat in stunned silence after the score. We'll be back after halftime.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants were unable to capitalize on the Packers' onside kick attempt which New York recovered. Despite the short field, New York was unable to move the ball any closer than the Green Bay 21-yard line. Lawrence Tynes who had already kicked the ball off out of bounds, lined up for a 40-yard field goal to break the 10-10 tie. Tynes' attempt was blocked by Green Bay's Brad Jones
A hold on momentum, and more importantly, the lead seems to be at a premium in this game. With New York struggling to establish the rushing game today, every chance to get points is huge. Will this blocked field goal could come back to haunt the Giants? Stay tuned as we're only in the second quarter at Lambeau Field.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants lead the Green Bay Packers 10-3 after the first quarter of play at Lambeau Field.
The Giants started off slow on their first drive. They had two rushes go for 2 total yards and burned a timeout. Then, Eli Manning led New York into the Green Bay redzone before an incomplete pass forced a field goal. One thing the opening drive did well was to take 6:27 off the clock.
The Packers used a challenge to review a ruling that the Giants recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff. They won because as you can see, Randall Cobb's knee was down
The Packers tied the game with a field goal on the drive after the non-fumble. Aaron Rodgers had Greg Jennings wide open for a big gain on third down and eight from the Giants' 29-yard line but overthrew him.
The Giants' inability to run the ball in the first quarter forced Manning to play well on third and long and he did. After saving the second drive of the game on a 3rd and 11, Manning hit Hakeem Nicks for a 66-yard touchdown on the next play. Nicks broke a poor tackle attempt in the secondary after the catch and broke away from the defense for the score.
The momentum of the touchdown was given away with a kickoff out of bounds. Rodgers and the Packers crossed the Giants' 40-yard line in a few plays but then Greg Jennings fumbled the ball away after a catch. The Giants had to challenge the ruling on the field to overturn the call that Jennings was down but failed.
After the questionable call was upheld, the Packers drove the ball into the redzone. They will be inside the New York 10-yard line when the second quarter begins.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber wanted to meet with Giants coach Tom Coughlin to talk about their strained relationship. Coughlin refused.
Barber discussed the situation on the radio
"We tried (to set up a meeting). He said no, through his agent, (Giants vice president of communications) Pat Hanlon," Barber said on ESPN Radio. (via New York Post)
Barber is hopeful about a future meeting with his old coach who he has been critical of
"But one of these days I'm sure it'll happen, because as we know, time heals all wounds. And I think at the end of the day, Giants fans, despite their dislike of me at times, know that I was one of the guys that put (it) on the line every time I put on my uniform."
Whether that meeting with Coughlin happens or not, Barber confirmed that he is indeed done with a comeback attempt.
For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The inactive list for the Green Bay Packers' 2012 divisional round NFL playoff game against the New York Giants is out, and the Packers enter the game pretty healthy as linebacker Brad Jones and right defensive end C.J. Wilson are both active and WILL PLAY.
Here's the full list of inactives for Green Bay, which hosts New York (4:30 p.m. on FOX):
QB Graham Harrell
CB Davon House
LB Robert Francois
T Herb Taylor
TE D.J. Williams
NT Howard Green
LB Vic So’oto
New York Giants Inactives List
According to the Packers' official blog, here's the starting lineup changes:
"On defense, #98 C.J. Wilson will start at right defensive end for #95 Howard Green. #59 Brad Jones will start at right outside linebacker for #93 Erik Walden."
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The the list of inactives is out for the New York Giants' for the 2012 divisional round NFL playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, and the G-Men enter the game pretty healthy as running Ahmad Bradshaw and defensive end Osi Umenyiora will both play. Earlier in the week, Bradshaw had missed a few practices, while Umenyiora was limited. However, seems are both fine and good to go.
Other notable that were limited in practice but also WILL PLAY are: corner back Aaron Ross, running back D.J. Ware, corner back Corey Webster and safety Deon Grant
Here's the full list of inactives for the Giants, who face the Packers (4:30 p.m. on FOX).
WR Ramses Barden
RB Da'Rel Scott
LB Mark Herzlich (Ankle)...Did Not Practice
OL Jim Cordle
DE Justin Trattou
DT Jimmy Kennedy
OL James Brewer
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants are used to playing in terrible weather conditions when they travel to Wisconsin to play the Green Bay Packers (remember 2008?), and luckily for the G-Men and their traveling fans the weather forecast isn't looking too bad for Sunday's 2012 NFL playoff contest at Lambeau Field (4:30 p.m. ET on FOX).
Currently, the temperature in Green Bay is around 20 degree and should get up to a high of around 30 and a low of 25 Sunday.
Here's the Giants Vs. Packers weather forecast from WBAY's (Green Bay, WI) Meteorologist Rebecca Shuld:
Morning clouds should give way to some sunshine this afternoon along with breezy SW winds. Highs will be in the upper 20s but at times feel more like the teens with the wind. A scattered light wintry mix will develop tonight into early Monday which may make for a few slick spots on the roads. A more active weather pattern is setting up for the week with several chances for snow.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The game between the New York Giants and defending champion Green Bay Packers will be played tonight at Lambeau Field and broadcast on FOX at 4:30 EST. Joe Buck and former quarterback Troy Aikman will be the duo in the both, announcing the game.
Buck has an interesting past, both with the Giants and Lambeau field. In a game between the Vikings and Packers in Lambeau, played in 2005, Vikings receiver Randy Moss caught a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, followed by a fake "mooning" of the crowd. Joe Buck was not pleased with Moss' gesture, to say the least. Here's his call.
Three years later, with Buck calling the Super Bowl, where David Tyree of the Giants made what's now known as "The Helmet Catch". To this day Buck still receives criticism for his less-than-enthusiastic call of one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.
With Buck back at Lambeau in a Playoff game involving the Giants, another famous, or infamous call is always a possibility.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants travel to Lambeau Field tonight to face the one seed, 15-1 Green Bay Packers. These two teams met in East Rutherford in Week 13, where the Packers won narrowly, by a final score of 38 to 35. Eli Manning and the Giants tied the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion with 58 seconds remaining, only to see Aaron Rodgers drive the Packers down for a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Related: Eli Manning has a shot at history
Since their loss to the Packers the Giants have won four of five, including two wins over the Dallas Cowboys to clinch the NFC East and a first round playoff win over the Atlanta Falcons last week.
When: Sunday, January 15 at 4:30 p.m. EST
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Watch: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Listen: Sirius channel 92 and channel 86
Betting Line: Packers -7.5, Over/Under: 53 points
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
Week two of the 2012 NFL Playoffs begins Saturday in day one of the Divisional Round. Winners from last weekend's Wild Card games travel to the teams who had byes last week. First up, is the New Orleans Saints vs. the San Francisco 49ers at 4:30 EST on FOX, followed Tebowmania and the Denver Broncos vs. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at 8:00 EST on CBS.
The Giants – who play the Packers in Lambeau on Sunday night – will have a close eye on the Saints vs. 49ers game, because should the Giants upset the Packers, they will travel to either New Orleans or San Fran – dependent on the winner – for next week's NFC Championship game.
49ers Vs. Saints (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX)
Spread: Saints -3.5, Over/Under: 46.5 points
Patriots vs. Broncos (Sat., 8 p.m. ET on CBS)
Spread: Patriots -13.5, Over/Under: 50 points
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The 2012 NFL playoffs continue Saturday, as the first of two days of divisional-round games will take place when the New Orleans Saints visit the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos visit the New England Patriots (8 p.m. ET on CBS).
For those of you interested of keeping track of former Rutgers or Syracuse football players, who will be playing in this weekends slate of games, well here's the list:
The Green Bay Packers are nine-point favorites in Sunday's NFC Divisional Round playoff game at Lambeau Field (4:30 p.m. ET/FOX). Perhaps dismissing the underdog Giants, SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber asks if the defending champion Packers are primed to make it two Super Bowl titles in a row.
I want to ask a different question. That is, are the Giants primed to pull off the upset? There has been a great deal of talk around the Giants about how similar this playoff run is to the one that led to their Super Bowl victory four years ago over the 18-0 New England Patriots. Some of that from the media, but also some from the Giants themselves.
It is hard to avoid the comparison. In that magical 2008 Super Bowl run the Giants used a narrow loss to the Patriots as a confidence-building springboard, then went on the road and won an improbable series of games just to get to the Super Bowl. There, of course, they pulled off the most improbable upset of all, defeating New England for the title.
Predictions: SB Nation New York | SBNation.com | Around the Web
This season, a narrow regular-season loss to then-unbeaten Green Bay was eventually followed by a pair of season-ending victories, and the Giants opened the playoffs with their most impressive all-around performance of the season, a 24-2 annihilation of the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers finished the season 15-1. The Giants are 10-7 after last Sunday's playoff victory.
So, now what? Can the Giants do it again? Let's look at some of the key factors in Sunday's game.
Of course, the two opposing Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks are not going mano-a-mano on the field at the same time. They are, however, opposing each other. There is an expectation that, coming off a record-setting season in which he passed for 4,643 yards and had a best-ever single-season passer rating of 122.5 that Rodgers and the Packers will be able to score points.
Manning's job will be to match him volley-for-volley, or scoring drive for scoring drive. If anyone still does not believe that Manning is an elite quarterback, they were not paying attention to the franchise best 4,933-yard season Manning just had and the five fourth-quarter come-from-behind victories he led. The real difference in the 38-35 victory by Green Bay the first time the teams met was one bad throw by Manning that turned into a Pick Six for Packers linebacker Clay Matthews.
Related: Reasons The Giants Can, Can't Win
It isn't every Sunday that you get playoff football games with two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks at the height of their powers going toe-to-toe. This should be fun to watch.
The Giants are built to rush the passer, having finished third in the league with 48 sacks. Jason Pierre-Paul had a breakout, All-Pro season with 16.5 of those. Pro Bowl ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora each missed significant time this season due to injuries, but both are as healthy now as they have been all season and are playing well. The Giants have 13 sacks in the past three weeks.
Position-By Position Breakdowns
- The Offenses
- The Defenses
- The Special Teams
The Packers have had some injury concerns along their offensive line, although they appear to be healthy now. The pass rush very well might be the key to defeating the Packers, especially if the Giants can get harass Rodgers without having to constantly send extra people.
"The pressure is on our D-line. Even when you can't get to him, just to let him feel you, make sure you're around him, maybe some batted passes. Things like that," Tuck said this week. "He's dangerous anyway, but obviously letting him sit back there and get comfortable, we don't have a shot."
The Packers led the league with 31 interceptions and are +24 in takeaway/giveaway ratio. That, largely, is what has helped Green Bay overcome a defense that is last in the league in terms of yardage allowed (411.6 yards per game). Manning threw those 25 interceptions Eli-bashers love to talk about a season ago, but had just 16 this season while the Giants were +7 in takeaways/giveaways.
Rodgers threw only six picks all season. If, however, the Giants can find a way to win the turnover battle with the Packers that would go a long way toward allowing them to pull off an upset similar to 2008.
The Giants have the explosive duo of Victor Cruz (a franchise record 1,536 receiving yards) and Hakeem Nicks (1,192 receiving yards). The Giants believe there are plays to be made against the Green Bay secondary -- if they can avoid the big turnover.
Giants Coverage: Big Blue View | Packers Coverage: Acme Packing Company
"They have some players on that side of the ball that are very willing to take chances and gamble and if they give up a few plays they don't mind because they're looking for an interception," said New York offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. "Hopefully we can stay away from those bad plays because when I think you employ that style defensively you also hopefully give us some chances on the offensive side to make some plays."
The Giants definitely have a chance here. They have the quarterback and the explosive offense capable of competing with the Packers in a shootout-type game. They have the pass rushers who could limit Green Bay's ability to march up and down the field. Many of their core players were on the team that defeated the Packers in the NFC Championship Game four years ago, so they know it can be done.
Will they pull it off? We will find out Sunday night.
The Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants have plenty of history between them over the past 70 years. The Packers defeated the Giants earlier this season but the postseason is where the legends are born between these two proud franchises. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, has a connection to both franchises after he served as a Packers assistant coach in 1986 and 1987.
The Giants lead the overall series 31-23 as well as a pair of ties but their most memorable matchups have come in the postseason. Despite being based in two towns that couldn’t be more different, the Packers and Giants have provided football fans from across the nation with memorable moments over the last 70 plus years. Most importantly, every matchup between these powerhouse franchises has either been for an NFL title or the winner has gone on to win the championship. For 70 years they’ve gone back and forth.
The first two meetings came in the 1938 and 1939 NFL Championships Games. The Giants defeated the Packers 23-17 to become the first NFL team with two championships. The next year, Green Bay would shut out the Giants for a 27-0 victory. Five years later, in 1944 the Packers defeated the Giants at home. It would be the last playoff meeting between the two franchises until 1961.
One again they met in consecutive NFL Championships between 1961 and 1962. The 1962 game was a rematch of the ’61 game that Green Bay won 37-0. Amidst swirling winds and subzero temperatures, the Packers were able to defeat the Giants 16-7.
It took another 45 years for their paths to cross in the frigid temperatures of Lambeau Field in the 2007 NFC Championship Game. On that afternoon, the Giants picked off Brett Favre in overtime, kicked the game-winning field goal and brought Favre’s Packers career to an unceremonious end. Eli Manning threw for 257 yards but was turnover free unlike Favre who threw two.
The Giants dominating wins over the Cowboys and Falcons in consecutive weeks have many predicting another Super bowl run for the Giants, however this is a rivalry that has gone back and forth in recent weeks. In addition, there are many holdovers from the 2007 championship team that remember what the Giants stole from them.
The trash talk has ramped up over the week and on Sunday these two franchises and cultures will finally stop the talk, put on the pads and helmets and settle their beef on the gridiron.
New York Giants offensive lineman Chris Snee added a little more intrigue to Sunday's 2012 NFL Playoffs matchup between the Giants and the Green Bay Packers.
Snee responded to the comments of Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji by using sarcasm. (via the New York Daily News)
"He's a beast out there," Snee said. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity to play against him."
Snee added that he lost sleep worrying about Raji.
"B.J. was on my mind," Snee said. "Sometimes when you're young and you make it to the Pro Bowl and have your own commercial you feel the need to talk."
Raji said on Thursday that the Giants offensive linemen are "not the toughest group I've gone against." He also put down New York's tight ends, saying "they're not the best at that position I've seen."
But Giants center David Baas did not sound overly worried.
"I don't care, honest," he said. "I'll do my talking on Sunday with my pads."
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
New York Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich has been ruled out of Sunday's 2012 NFL Playoffs game against the Green Bay Packers, but the rest of his teammates are likely to be available as the Giants try to pull of the upset.
Herzlich was the only Giant to miss practice and Friday and has been ruled out due to an injured ankle.
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee), cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) and safety Deon Grant (quad) were all limited in Friday's practice but are considered probable for Sunday's game. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot, back), cornerback Aaron Ross (concussion) and running back D.J. Ware (concussion) all took 100 percent of their normal reps during practice and are also considered probable.
Bradshaw returned to the field on Friday after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
In a week 13 re-match the four seed New York Giants will travel to Lambeau Field to face the number one seed Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round Playoffs. When these two teams met fives weeks ago the Packers – led by an Aaron Rodgers game-winning drive – defeated the Giants 38-35 on a last second field goal in MetLife Stadium. Since then the Giants have won three of four, including two must-win games over the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East, and a convincing 24-2 Playoff win against the Atlanta Falcons last week.
When: Sunday, January 15 at 4:30 p.m. EST
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Watch: FOX
For the first time ever, you can stream the game live online.
Listen: Sirius, 92
Betting Line: Packers -7.5, Over/Under: 53 points
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
Here is a quick rundown of what some of the NFL analysts around the Inter-Google think will happen on Sunday when the New York Giants travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game.
Sports Illustrated's Peter King is taking the Packers, 24-23. SI's Damon Hack breaks down the Packers-Giants matchup, and also ends up picking the Packers to win.
NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan is taking the Packers. In fact, seven of the eight NFL.com analysts asked for a prediction took Green Bay to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
Pro Football Talk's two analysts are both taking Green Bay.
For CBS Sports, Pete Prisco is picking Green Bay to advance. In fact, four of the five CBS analysts polled are going with the Packers.
Pat Traina of Inside Football, is going with the Giants.
-- SB Nation's Jared Smith will have his complete Divisional Round playoff predictions before play begins on Saturday. Be sure to check back for those.
B.J. Raji, Pro Bowl nose tackle for the Green Bay Packers, took a shot at the New York Giants offensive line Thursday. Raji called them “not the toughest group.”
Here is Raji’s full quote:
“I mean, I played them once this year and once last year. I can only judge by my vantage point up front, not necessarily the most physical — their backs are pretty physical, but not the toughest o-line,” said Raji. "Not saying they’re soft, but not the toughest group I’ve been against.
Raji wasn’t done trashing the Giants offense, saying the team’s tight ends “aren’t in any position to say too much.”
The Giants have had to shuffle their offensive line quite a bit this season due to injuries. They lost starting left tackle Will Beatty mid-way through the season, and center David Baas missed time due to a variety of injuries.
Winning the physical battle is something the Giants have talked about extensively this week. Let’s see if Raji’s words help motivate them to do just that.
Somehow special teams always winds up being a factor when you get down to the most critical games of the NFL season. And we are certainly there, with only eight teams remaining in the hunt for this year's Super Bowl trophy. Let's look at how the special teams units of the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants match up in advance of Sunday's NFC Divisional Round game at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay
The Packers are 11th in the league in kickoff returns with an average of 24.5 yards per return. Green Bay is 12th in punt returns with an average of 10.9 yards. Rookie Randall Cobb has done the bulk of Green Bay's returning, and he is dangerous. He averages 11.4 yards on 26 punt returns, including an 80-yard touchdown. On kickoff returns he averages 27.4 yards on 34 returns, with a 108-yard touchdown to his credit.
Placekicker Mason Crosby is 24-of-28 on field-goal attempts this season with a long of 58 yards. He has recorded touchbacks on 49 of 108 kickoffs this season, and given up 23.9 yards per return.
Punter Tim Masthay averaged 45.6 yards per punt with a 38.6 yard net averaged and 23 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Related
The offenses, position-by-position
The defenses, position-by-position
New York
The Giants have struggled in the return game, particularly on punts. Their regular season average of 6.1 yards per return was 29th in the league, and the Giants were one of only two teams without a punt return of longer than 20 yards. Former Packer Will Blackmon is the primary returner. On kickoff returns the Giants average 23.3 yards per return, 20th in the league. Rookie Jerrel Jernigan has done most of the returning recently, exactly hitting that 23.3 yard average.
Placekicker Lawrence Tynes has made 19-of-24 field goals, with a long of 50 yards. Tynes got touchbacks on 34 of his 79 kickoffs this season, and opponents averaged 22.8 yards per return.
Punter Steve Weatherford had an excellent year in his first year with the Giants after being signed as a free agent. Weatherford averaged 45.7 yards per punt on 82 punts, with 25 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. His net average was 39.2 yards per punt.
Advantage: Packers ... The dangerous Cobb gives the Packers an egde. The Giants have not been able to break a big kickoff or punt return all season. Crosby may also have a tad more range than Tynes.
The New York Giants released their latest injury report today ahead of their NFC Divisional Playoff game this weekend against the Green Bay Packers.
The following Giants were on the injury report.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw (Foot/Back)...Did Not Practice
S Deon Grant (Quad)...Limited Practice
LB Mark Herzlich (Ankle)...Did Not Practice
CB Aaron Ross (Concussion)...Limited Practice
DE Osi Umenyiora (Ankle/Knee)...Limited Practice
RB D.J. Ware (Concussion)...Limited Practice
CB Corey Webster (Hamstring)...Limited Practice
D.J. Ware returned to Giants practice today in a limited role after being held out of practice yesterday. Deon Grant and Corey Webster were new faces on the injury report today, both were limited in practice.
The Packers also released their injury report today. Green Bay continued to get healthier as WR Randall Cobb (Groin), LB Robert Francois (Hamstring) were limited in practice today but T Chad Clifton (Hamstring/Back) returned to full practice today along with T Bryan Bulaga (Knee), WR Greg Jennings (Knee), RB James Starks (Ankle) who were not limited in practice yesterday.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
Rule No. 1 for game-planning against the Green Bay Packers: You are highly unlikely to stop Aaron Rodgers, but you must attempt to contain him.
One way the Giants could try to limit Rodgers' big-play ability this weekend during the team's divisional round meeting in the 2012 NFL Playoffs: playing 2-man in the secondary.
The National Football Post's Matt Bowen believes New York could play some 2-man coverage to stifle Rodgers' attack. The defense is designed to take away quick slants and digs while providing safety help, but it also might open up the middle of the field for Rodgers and the talented Green Bay receiving corps.
Bowen writes how the Packers would likely react to the Giants' 2-man coverage, by attempting to spread the two safeties with wideouts, opening up the middle for man-to-man coverage.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
As the buildup for Sunday's NFC Divisional playoff game between the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers continues, let's take a position-by-position look at the defensive units for both teams.
First, some overall numbers:
Now, let's go position-by-position and see where each team may have an advantage.
Defensive Line
The New York Giants defense is built around its defensive line, in particular its three pass-rushing defensive ends. Jason Pierre-Paul emerged this season and was named All-Pro after registering 16.5 sacks and 86 tackles in his second season. Veteran multiple-time Pro Bowlers Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are both healthy now after difficults seasons, and form a fearsome three-man rotations with Pierre-Paul.
On the inside, tackles Chris Canty, Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard have all played well.
The Packers use a 3-4, and Pro Bowl nose tackle B.J. Raji is the anchor. Ryan Pickett and Jarius Wynn man the ends.
Advantage: Giants
Related
The offenses, position-by-position
The special teams
Linebacker
The Giants have improved this season at linebacker. Michael Boley has had a nice season with 93 tackles, Mathias Kiwanuka has adjusted nicely to being back at linebacker and is a run-stopping force, veteran Chase Blackburn came off the street mid-season and has solidified the middle, and rookie Jacquian Williams has shown flashes of brilliance.
The Packers play a 3-4 with linebackers like Desmond Bishop (115 tackles, five sacks), Clay Matthews (50 tackles, six sacks, nine passes defensed, three interceptions) and A.J. Hawks (84 tackles, 1.5 sacks
Advantage: Packers
Cornerback
Green Bay has a ball-hawking secondary that led the league in interceptions with 31. Charles Woodson had seven and Tramon Williams four. The Packers, though, were last in the league in passing yardages allowed, surrendering 299.8 per game. They also surrendered a league-worst 71 plays of 20 yards or more.
The Giants have the excellent Corey Webster (six interceptions) teamed with Aaron Ross. Safety Antrel Rolle plays in the slot at times, and rookie first-round pick Prince Amukamara is in reserve. The Giants were 29th in the league against the pass, giving up 255.1 yards per game.
Advantage: Even .. The Giants may have the better coverage guys, but the Packers have the play-makers.
Safety
The Giants often employ three safeties, with Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle (96 tackles, two interceptions) and Deon Grant on the field at the same time. At times, Grant or Rolle can be positioned as a third linebacker. At other times, Rolle will be covering a slot receiver. The talent and versatility of this trio is a huge help to the Giants defense.
The Packers have strong safety Morgan Burnett (107 tackles, three interceptions) and Charles Peprah (94 tackles, five interceptions.
Advantage: Even
New York Giants Director of College Scouting Marc Ross is one of four candidates who will be interviewed for the vacant Chicago Bears general manager's job.
Ross recently interviewed for the GM job with the Indianapolis Colts, but Indianapolis hired former Philadelphia Eagles executive Ryan Grigson.
Ross and Jimmy Raye, the San Diego Chargers director of player personnel, are reportedly "high on [the Bears'] short list." Other candidates include Kansas City Chiefs Director of College Scouting Phil Emery and New England Patriots Director of Pro Personnel Jason Licht. Ross is in his fifth season as Giants director of college scouting. He joined the organization in 2007 and ran his first draft in 2008.
Ross first worked in the NFL as a public relations intern with the Giants in 1995. He later joined the Eagles personnel department in 1996 before serving as the team's eastern regional scout from 1997-2000, when at age 27 he became the NFL's youngest college scouting director.
Let's break down the offenses of the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers position-by-position in advance of Sunday's NFC Divisional Round playoff game (4:30 p.m. ET/FOX).
Quarterback
The Packers have Aaron Rodgers. last-season's Super Bowl MVP and generally considered the best quarterback in the league. Rodgers had 122.5 rating, best single-season mark in NFL history. Set NFL season record with 13 games with 100+ rating and 12 games with 110+ rating. Had franchise record 4,643 pass yards and 45 touchdowns. Is the only quarterback in NFL history to pass for 4,000+ yards and have six or fewer interceptions. In postseason, Rodgers has completed 118 of 174 (67.8 percent) for 1,517 yards with 13 touchdowns vs. 3 interceptions for 112.6 rating, highest in NFL history. Also ranks first in NFL playoff history with 67.8 completion percentage and 8.72 average game.
The Giants have Eli Manning, who had the best season of his career in 2011. He had 15 fourth-quarter touchdown passes, most ever in season, topping Johnny Unitas and Peyton Manning. Eli led five fourth-quarter come-from-behind victories this season.
Advantage: Packers ... but not by a lot. Both guys have Super Bowl titles and MVP trophies, and Manning is in the elite category -- even if some people still don't believe it.
Related
The defenses, position-by-position
The special teams
Running Back
The Giants averaged a league-worst 89.2 yards per game running the ball, but have done much better in recent weeks and have two quality backs. Ahmad Bradshaw led the Giants with 659 yards rushing in the regular season (3.9 yards per carry) and Brandon Jacobs had 571 (3.8 per carry).
James Starks led the Packers with 578 yards (4.3 per carry) and ex-Giant Ryan Grant had 559 yards (4.2 per carry).
Advantage: Giants ... only because Bradshaw and Jacobs have run more like their old selves the past few weeks, and because the Giants rely on the run to set a physical tone.
Fullback
Green Bay has Pro Bowler John Kuhn, who can block, run and catch. Kuhn rushed 30 times this season (2.6 yards per carry) and caught 15 passes.
Giants' rookie fullback Henry Hynoski seems to be getting better each week, and becoming more important to the team's offense. He caught 12 passes during the regular season and is a sometimes devastating lead blocker.
Advantage: Packers ... Hynoski has a chance to be Pro Bowl fullback, but Kuhn already is one.
Wide Receiver
This is an interesting debate. Both teams have deep, talented, play-making receiving corps. Let's look at the numbers:
Green Bay
Jordy Nelson ... 68 catches, 1.263 yards, 18.6 yards per catch, 15 touchdowns
Greg Jennings ... 67 catches, 949 yards, 14.2 yards per catch, 14 touchdowns
James Jones ... 38 catches, 635 yards, 16.7 yards per catch, seven touchdowns
Donald Driver ... 37 catches, 445 yards, 12.0 yards per catch, six touchdowns
New York
Victor Cruz ... 82 catches, 1,536 yards, 18.7 yards per catch, nine touchdowns
Hakeem Nicks ... 76 catches, 1,192 yards, 15.7 yards per catch, seven touchdowns
Mario Manningham ... 39 catches, 523 yards, 13.4 yards per catch, four touchdowns
Advantage: Even ... Yes, I'm taking the easy way out here. The Packers have four top guys vs. the Giants three, but I still think Nicks is the best of the bunch. And it's impossible to say Cruz hasn't had the best season.
Tight End
Jermichael Finley of the Packers caught 55 passes for 767 yards (13.9 per catch) with eight touchdowns. The 55 receptions tied his career high.
Jake Ballard of the Giants was a huge surprise this season with 38 catches for 604 yards (15.9 yards per catch) and four touchdowns in 14 games.
Advantage: Packers ... It's not a huge advantage, though.
Offensive Line
The Giants have struggled with injuries and inconsistency all season in a revamped line, but right now the group is playing better than it has all season. Center David Baas, an off-season free-agent acquisition from San Francisco, is healthy and finally settling in. Kevin Boothe is doing a good job at left guard. Football Outsiders ranks the Giants sixth in the league in pass blocking, but only 28th in run blocking.
The Packers rank 16th in the league in run blocking and 23rd in pass protection, according to Football Outsiders.
Advantage: Even ... The Green Bay line is going to have to find a way to deal with the New York pass rush on Sunday.
There are quite a few story lines heading into Saturday's 2012 NFL Playoffs contest between the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, but the most intriguing is the postseason rematch factor, as in '08 the Giants defeated the Packers, 23-20, in overtime. The divisional-round win, which featured Giants' kicker Lawrence Tynes nailing a game-winning field goal in overtime, cemented the victory and helped propel New York to a Super Bowl title.
On Wednesday, Tynes talked about making that kick and what it meant for his career.
"I wouldn't be talking to you right now. I mean if you miss three kicks in the fourth quarter of a championship game, I mean I would assume that I probably wouldn't be here. I was on a one-year deal anyway. I have done a great job since then, I have had a nice career here, but obviously you do have to think what if I didn't make that kick."
For the complete Tynes interview check out the SB Nation blog Big Blue View.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants released their first injury report today ahead of their upcoming NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.
The following Giants were on the injury report.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw (Foot/Back)...Did Not Practice
LB Mark Herzlich (Ankle)...Did Not Practice
CB Aaron Ross (Concussion)...Limited Practice
DE Osi Umenyiora (Ankle/Knee)...Limited Practice
RB D.J. Ware (Concussion)...Did Not Practice
Cornerback Aaron Ross was cleared for practice earlier today. The team expects him to play on Sunday even though he may have sustained a concussion last week against the Falcons.
The Packers also released their injury report today. The following players were limited in practice: T Chad Clifton (Hamstring/Back), WR Randall Cobb (Groin), LB Robert Francois (Hamstring). The following players were not limited in practice: T Bryan Bulaga (Knee), WR Greg Jennings (Knee), RB James Starks (Ankle).
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The Green Bay Packers did not lose a single home game on their way to a 15-1 regular season. The New York Giants have not played away from MetLife Stadium since Week 14.
But if the Giants are going to advance to the NFC Championship next week, they will have to do it as the Packers advanced to the Super Bowl last season: on the road.
"Road warriors, coming out of the woodwork.," said Giants coach Tom Coughlin during a press conference on Wednesday. "It is time to go out the road. It is time to renew some of those thoughts about playing on the road, the togetherness, the team being all for one and one for all, the mental toughness. You are going to need all those things there."
There are certainly X's and O's that will affect New York's chances against Green Bay. They would like to pressure Aaron Rodgers and take him out of the comfort zone he's danced in all season long. They would like to control time of possession, keeping Green Bay's high-octane offense off the field. They would like their secondary to play like it has in recent weeks, rather than with a sense of confusion that impacted the defense during some of their losses.
But Coughlin knows there are other elements to playoff success, too.
"Persistence - number one - and the ability to ride the ups and the downs and stay together. The development of the feeling of ‘team.' The confidence that grows from a little bit of success. The ability to put some of the pieces to the puzzle together that haven't been there, that weren't there, that do breed the confidence," he said, later adding, "But the number one thing, you have to stay the course. Even when it doesn't look very good you have to hang in there and you have to battle. You have to believe in yourself and you have to really believe that from the competitive aspect of that, things are going to get better."
For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
New York Giants starting cornerback Aaron Ross, who sustained an apparent concussion during Sunday’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons in an NFC Wild-Card playoff game, has been cleared to return to practice.
Ross is one of six players on the pre-practice injury report released by the team. The full list is as follows:
Ahmad Bradshaw Foot
Mark Herzlich Ankle
Ross Concussion
Da’Rel Scott Knee
Osi Umenyiora Ankle/Knee
D.J. Ware Concussion
Ware also sustained his concussion during the game against Atlanta. The running back has now suffered two concussions this season and has not been cleared to return to practice.
Among the other players on the report, only Herzlich would seem to be in danger of not playing Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Herzlich, a linebacker, has not played since suffering a serious ankle injury in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints.
— See Big Blue View for more Giants discussion and analysis
You can't blame Jason Pierre-Paul for his enthusiasm. After all, his defense had just pitched a virtual shutout against a good Atlanta Falcons offense in a 24-2 win that the New York Giants hope to be the first of many during the 2012 NFL Playoffs. Following the game, Pierre-Paul said "100 percent we're going to win" in reference to this week's game against the Green Bay Packers. In an interview with WFAN on Tuesday, he admitted he had been little too exuberant.
"Of course I said that," Pierre-Paul said. "I'm not going to twist my words. But it's the simple fact that we won, and it was exciting.
"If we go out and do our jobs, we should win."
Pierre-Paul clarified even further.
"If the defense, offense and special teams, if we all do our job then and go out and executed like we did on Sunday, we should win."
There is no denying that the Giants are playing arguably their best football of the season, with three straight victories at their backs all won by at least two touchdowns. The defending Super Bowl champion Packers are entirely different animal altogether, however, coming in at No. 1 in this week's SB Nation NFL power rankings as they have throughout the regular season.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants are expecting to have Aaron Ross back on Sunday for their playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Ross might have sustained a concussion in last week's game during a collision with teammate Jason Pierre-Paul (via True Blue).
What if Ross is not able to go on Sunday, could Prince Amukamara step in?
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said:
"He has gotten better each week and he did a nice job on special teams when he went out to defend the gunners. Atlanta had two outstanding gunners and those guys were good. He did a good job out there so he has improved in that regard and of course and he got a lot of playing time after Aaron was hurt. He is gaining each week and that is exactly what he needs. I think he did a good job with open field transition yesterday turning his hips and getting himself in position. He is physical, he will hit you so he is coming."
Ross has undergone testing but didn't display concussion-like symptoms. Coughlin said the team is treating the situation as if Ross had sustained a concussion.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The New York Giants-Green Bay Packers divisional round playoff game on Sunday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay seems to be all about the past. The Giants victory in the Jan., 2008NFC Champsionship Game that led to a Super Bowl title. The 38-35 game won by the Packers over the Giants a few weeks ago. The glorious histories of the two historic franchises.
Don Banks of SI.com writes that the remaining NFC teams all seem to be looking for inspiration from the past.
For weeks now we've heard that the Giants are in the process of waking up the echoes of 2007, and their improbable Super Bowl run of four years ago. It started with that narrow loss to undefeated Green Bay at home in Week 13, the one that reminded everyone of their narrow loss to undefeated New England at home in Week 17 of 2007, which seemed to jump-start New York's title run.
OK, we get it. There are certain similarities to be found. But it seems like everybody's got a little magic they're looking to re-create. Saints fans desperately want to believe it's 2009 all over again. San Francisco is fervently hoping this year is the first step in bringing back the 49ers' glory era of the 1980s and '90s. And in Green Bay, well, the Packers want to recapture the mojo that took them to last year's Super Bowl victory, and win back-to-back championships like those Lombardi-era Packers of 1966-67.
Alas, somebody's dreams of yesteryear aren't coming true. There can only be one champion a year, and it could even be a team from the AFC. And besides, I'm not sure all this living in the past is really that healthy anyway. They say the future is where it's at.
Antrel Rolle’s weekly appearances on WFAN Radio with Joe and Evan have become highly-anticipated events. Rolle was on Tuesday morning and he spoke about the Giants’ victory over the Falcons and looked forward to Sunday’s divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers.
Asked about the Giants’ underdog status going into the game Rolle gave a sharp response.
“I don’t give a damn what people expect. We know what we expect from ourselves and we know what kind of team we have here and we know what our mindset is going into that game,” Rolle said.
Rolle said he likes what he sees from the Giants right now, and echoed the “All-In” mantra started near the end of the regular season by defensive end Justin Tuck.
“We want it,” said Rolle. “We’re all in. We have the eye of the tiger, without a doubt.”
Rolle said the 38-35 regular-season loss to Green Bay no longer matters.
“That game means absolutely nothing at this point,” Rolle said. “We’re gonna fight. … The game has to be played on Sunday and may the best win.”
Trash talk and guarantees are not his style, and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is sticking to that this week as the Giants prepare to face the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers Sunday in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game.
Manning appeared on ESPN Radio in New York with Michael Kay on Monday. He wouldn’t go anywhere near Jason Pierre-Paul’s remark that he was “sure” the Giants would beat the Packers.
"I think obviously there is nothing wrong with being confident. That’s the mindset of everybody when you go into the game that you are going to win," Manning said. "You don’t always want to have to talk about that and give the other team stuff to give the other team bulletin board material, but hey he thinks we are going to go out there and we played this team and we played them close and we feel we are playing better now and we can go out there and give ourselves a good shot to win."
The 2012 NFL Playoffs schedule resumes on Saturday with two divisional-round games that provide interesting contrasts.
First, the hard-hitting San Francisco 49ers host the elegant New Orleans Saints, who rely heavily on the artistry of Drew Brees and the ability of those surrounding him in the Saints' offense to make plays. The night game features the smash-mouth Denver Broncos against the considerably less intimidating defense of the New England Patriots, a team that makes up for its inability to stop opponents consistently by using the golden arm of Tom Brady, which controls a free-flowing offense featuring All-Pro wide receiver Wes Welker and All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Sunday brings less contrast but just as much intrigue. The day begins with the Houston Texans visiting the Baltimore Ravens, two physical teams who want to pound each other's helmets into grain, and ends with the surging New York Giants traveling to Lambeau Field for a meeting with the dominant Green Bay Packers.
Saturday, January 14
New Orleans at San Francisco, Fox Sports, 4:30 p.m. ET
Denver at New England, CBS, 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, January 15
Houston at Baltimore, CBS, 1 p.m. ET
New York at Green Bay, Fox, 4:30 p.m. ET
The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers host the New York Giants in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game Sunday at Lambeau Field (4:30 p.m. ET/FOX). You might say Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy is looking forward to it.
“Now it’s time to play real football,” McCarthy said. "“That’s what playoff football is all about. It’s exciting and it’s fun. Players and coaches live for these types of games.”
The game pits a pair of quarterbacks who have won Super Bowl MVPs in Eli Manning of the Giants (XLII) and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (XLV).
Rodgers set an NFL single-season record with a 122.5 passer rating, throwing for a franchise-record 4,643 yards and 45 touchdowns. Rodgers, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XLV, is one of the top postseason quarterbacks in NFL history, ranking first all-time in passer rating (112.6), completion percentage (67.8 percent) and yards per pass attempt (8.72).
“Last year’s run is really going to help all of us,” says Rodgers. “It’s the playoffs now so the focus has to go up, the urgency goes up and the preparation is more refined.”
If any New York Giants fans still hold out hope that Steve Spagnuolo will return to the team's coaching staff at some point, it's probably time to let go of the dream. The former Giants defensive coordinator is expected to rejoin the Philadelphia Eagles staff in some capacity within the next week, reports the NFL Network's Jason La Canora.
La Canfara reports that Spagnuolo will likely become Philadelphia's assistant head coach or defensive coordinator. The latter scenario could only result if the team tells current defensive coordinator Juan Castillo he will not be retained in the same position next season. It's possible, according to La Canfora, that Castillo could be kept on the staff but delegated to another role.
Spagnuolo solidified his reputation as a defensive mind during his stint as the Giants defensive coordinator. He is known as the architect who designed the high-octane defense which kept the New England Patriots from achieving an undefeated season, holding the Patriots to just two touchdowns in a 17-14 win.
For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
The revitalized New York Giants try to continue their match through the 2012 NFL Playoffs this weekend when they invade Lambeau Field to face the defending Super Bowl championship Green Bay Packers (4:30 p.m. ET/FOX). The 15-1 Packers are the top-seeded team in the NFC, while the 10-7 NFC East champion Giants are the fourth seed.
The two teams met in Week 13 of the regular season at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The then-unbeaten Packers escaped with a 38-35 victory, their 12th of the season, on a field goal by Mason Crosby as time expired.
Game Date/Time: Sunday, Jan. 15, 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Betting Odds: Packers by 9
The Giants have been hoping for another chance at the Packers ever since.
"I think we did [want a rematch], but more than anything we just wanted the opportunity to keep playing, regardless of who we were going to face," said Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. "It just happens to be the Green Bay Packers and we're looking forward to that, but we don't care who it is at this point. To be the best, you have to beat the best and we'll have that opportunity on Sunday."
The two teams will be reprising their NFC title game meeting at Lambeau on Jan. 20, 2008. The Giants, of course, won that game, 23-20 in overtime, en route to winning the Super Bowl.
The Giants advanced with a 24-2 first-round victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers had a bye.
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NFL Discusses Bill Leavy's Ruling On Greg Jennings' Fumble Against Giants
The NFL issued a statement today on the controversial replay in Sunday's New York Giants-Green Bay Packers game. The topic of the statement was the ruling referee Bill Leavy made on an apparent by Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings in the first quarter in the playoff game on Sunday against the Giants (via PFT).
As you can clearly see, the ball was on the way out before any part of Jennings' body was down. The Giants challenged the ruling on the field that Jennings was down. After Leavy went under the hood and viewed the replay, he confirmed the call.
Here's what the NFL had to say
That seems like an unnecessary shot at the Fox crew which was calling the game. The league backed Leavy stating
If the animated shot of the fumble wasn't conclusive enough for you, here's video of the fumble. After the call was not overturned, the Packers scored a touchdown. Luckily, the blown call did not impact the outcome of the game.
For more coverage of Giants vs. Packers, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.
Jan 16 5:25p by Pat Johnston