The Packers are one step away from the Super Bowl! I'm really impressed when I watch interviews with the players and also their demeanor so far during the playoff run. I can't help but notice they seem to have the belief that anything less than the SB is a dissappointment. I have to admitt I see a large advantage for the Packers coming into the game with the Giants, but as we all know, it's up to the players to execute in order for the better team to win. Don't get me wrong, I think the Giants are a solid team, but Green Bay should win this game and move on to the Super Bowl.
Packers Offense > Giants Defense
In my opinion the Packers offense has improved more than any unit in the league since the start of the season and much of that has to do with the emergance of Ryan Grant. The first half of the season the Packers were dependant on Favre's arm to put points on the board. All that talk last week of Seattle's front seven and Grant comes out and puts up two hundred yards on them. The Giants will have to gameplan for him and the huge holes that this offensive line has been opening up for him. I have said all year that the Giant's secondary isn't good, their success has been a product of their defensive line. Yes, Osi, Strahan and co. have lead the league in sacks this year but I don't think this will be the case against the Packers. The Offensive line has given up 19 sacks the entire season and we have two tremondous tackles which should negate the pass rush of Osi and Strahan. If the Packers continue to spread the field the Giants will have a huge decision to make. That is whether to blitz or only rush four. If they rush four, I expect Brett to have enough time to find the open receiver and if they Giants decide to blitz the short drops and routes will be open. Remember, the Packers lead the league in YAC, all Brett has to do is get the ball to them. The Giants secondary is also banged up a bit right now, which should continue to give the Pack an edge in this one.
Packers Defense > Giants offense
The Pack will load the line against the Giants putting the success directly on the shoulders of Harris and Woodson. There's no way the Giants get their running game going in this one. The defensive line has proved week in and week out that they can force opposing offenses into 2nd and 3rd and long. I'm not buying into Eli when he's constantly faced with having to throw on long downs against our secondary. I think the Giants will struggle to put points on the board let alone touchdowns on this Green Bay defense.
Packers Special Teams = Giants Special Teams
The Packers special teams have been solid this year and I see that continuing this week against the Giants. Mason Crosby is the leading scorer and should have success if he has to put the ball through the uprights. I don't see the Giants having much for returns either. The Pack have played fundemenally sound all year on kick offs and punts playing the lanes extremely well.
McCarthy > Coughlin
MM should have been coach of the year this year. He and the coaching staff have prepared solid game plans week in and week out this season and I can't help but think that the Giants will see something this week that the team hasn't shown all year.
The weather shouldn't be an issue this weekend, the players can deal with the cold and there isn't expected to be much of a wind. I expect many formation looks like last week and a very balanced attack. I don't think the Pack will lose this one.