Mutherf#cking Giants 23, Green Bay 20 - OT

Ouch. That was certainly a kick in the package. It just felt like I was watching a 17 point loss, even when GB was winning. The biggest issue:

Defense
The defense just could not get off the field....it was painful. If the Giants needed 6 yards, they got 7. The Packers were solid against the run, but when it was 3rd and 2, Jacobs got 3. The biggest culprits were Harris and Woodson. Time after time after time they either gave up first downs by Giant receivers or penalties. Those were crushing. It wasn’t the much maligned safeties getting eaten up by the tight end, or #3 corners giving up catches, it was Chuck and Al...who were so, so good this season. You just expect that duo to perform. They didn’t. The pass rush was also non-existent, which didn't help. Well, except for the sack by KGB when he was 6 yards off-sides. Because the defense couldn't get off the field....

Offense
...the offense stood on the sidelines. They never got any sort of flow going. Of course, the NY defense had something to do with that. Grant was a non-factor, Jennings and Jones were MIA. Only Driver and Lee could break free. Favre made some really, really bad decisions.

Coaching
As did the coaching staff. This pains me to say, because I like McCarthey probably more than any coach in all my days of following Wisconsin sports teams, but MM had a shitty game plan. Sure, the offense had to be adjusted somewhat because of the elements, I understand that. But they were running stuff I've never seen before. All those WR screens were useless. One even went for -7 yards. Where were the crossing routes by Jennings and Jones? That inverse wishbone formation that was so effective all year was put in play twice - and they passed both times. If the O-line had trouble opening holes, how about trying to ram two FBs at them? Whatever.

Aftermath
Well, it was a small miracle that game even got to overtime. Green Bay played so poor, it feels like a 17 point loss. This is a groin shot that will be felt for a while.

FLATTEN THE GIANTS!!

One down, one to go and GB is NFC Champs! Matt correctly called out Seattle for letting the weather get into their heads...thanks to Josh Brown's remote controlled long johns. Well, it's already in the Giants head. They practiced outside on Wednesday....bwwaaahhhhh!! Good luck with that...it was 40 degrees where they practiced! Try moving the decimal point one to the left. Yup, kickoff temperature is forecasted at +4.

The weather factor alone won't win the game. It's not like the Giants are from Key West. The conditions are the same for both teams, just don't tell Seattle. The two reasons GB should be worried: New York is 9-1 on the road (wow), and their D-Coordinator is a Jim Johnson disciple...the JJ defenses always provide headaches. Will there be any more?

Friday:
Michael Strahan walks off the airplane and his lungs instantly freeze. His gigantor gap teeth let in way too much cold Wisconsin air for one man to handle. He's questionable for the game.

Pregame:
- Eli wishes he was back at Ole Miss. Joe Buck's smugness is already driving me crazy. Somehow, he sneaks in a couple of St. Louis Cardinal references.

First Quarter:
- New York matriculates the ball down the field, 4 yards at a time....just like the opening drive by the Lions on Turkey Day. 3-0, Giants.
- The Packers with a modest drive ended by a Ruvell Martin drop.
- Driver catches a 6 yard pass, breaks 1, 2, 3 tackles for a 32 yard gain.
- Grant stuffs it in from 2 yards out!! Great block by Kuhn! Packers 7, Giants 3.

Second Quarter
- The Giants D-Line is getting pressure, but to no avail as Favre gets rid of the ball like its an illegal walleye. 42 yarder by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. 10-3, Packers.
- Jacobs goes down after Ryan Pickett's boiler lands on his ankle. Coughlin turns and stares down the Giant's GM with a "I sure wish we had Ryan Grant you A-hole" look on his face.
- Eli warms up (throwing wise) with a few completions to Toomer, screen to Bradshaw, and to that guy replacing Shockey. Poppy and Collins (sort of) on the coverage. It's another FG. 10-6, Packers.
- Barnett is everywhere.
- Just before the half (aided by a nice Blackman punt return), Favre dumps off passes to Driver, Grant, Jackson, Jennings, and Driver again to the NY 25. TOUCHDOWN Ruvell Martin as he out jumps the Giants #6 cornerback, in the corner.

Halftime: Packers 17, Giants 6
- I can't wait to see the scheduled 40 yard race between former Packers Bill Schroeder, Jeff Query, and Don Beebe. Whoever thought of this idea should get a raise. My money is on Beebe.
- Thus far, Troy Aikman has talked about the Cowboys more than the Giants.

Third Quarter
- The halftime hot chocolate is just what the doctor ordered as New York marches right down the field and scores on a Steven Smith busted coverage TD. Packers 17, Giants 13.
- Osi Umenyiorayuumenyuumioryya creates a Grant fumble in GB territory. Uh oh...a nervous hush surrounds Curly.
- Not to worry! Cullen Jenkins hammers Eli's now brittle hands: Fumble...Hawk recovers!
- Grant gashing for runs of 9, 6, and 13 yards.
- It's another Favre-Jennings connection for a TD!!! Packers 24, Giants 13.
- Giants add another field goal to keep within striking distance. Packers 24, Giants 16.

Fourth Quarter
- It's so cold, Eli is on the bench (almost in tears) mumbling..."Stupid Archie, I should have signed with San Diego."
- One week Kearney, Strahan the next. Another yeoman-like effort by Tauscher. Bubba blocking well too.
- Jones with a big gainer as the below average Giants secondary is clueless.
- New York has given up running the ball, putting it in Eli's hands in the now -1 degree weather. Advantage: Green Bay.
- Pick by Bigbie after a Corey Williams deflection! 6:12 left. Packer fans can smell it now.
- Play action to Grant, Brett steps back...everyone forgets about...Koren Robinson..TOUCHDOWN!! Koren is more than happy to Lambeau Leap and catch a few sips of Genuine Draft. Packers 31, Giants 16.
- It's all over but the dancing now. MM gets the trademark Gatorade bath...he's now colder than Walt Disney.

In other news, New England wins 49 to 7.

Final Score: Green Bay 31, New York 16.

Congrats...Take This.

WTF is this thing anyway? Is it:

A) The George Halas NFC Championship Trophy?

B) The worlds biggest cigarette lighter?

C) A Seventh grade wood shop project gone bad?

D) Boba Fett's jockstrap?

E) A hood ornament from a 1953 Buick?

F) The 1800's version of Pong?

G) Other?

Green Bay 42, Seattle 20

What a weekend. Went from the worst possible scenario (spotting Seattle 14 points) to the best (Packers host the Giants). First, a couple comments on the Seattle game. Mark Tauscher, game MVP. Grant and 4 were spectacular (after the first 3 minutes), but Tauscher man handled Kearny. Hell, there was so much talk about Kearny you would have thought he was Reggie White, Deacon Jones, and Mark Gasteneau all rolled into one. He did nothing, literally nothing. Didn't even show up on the defensive stat sheet. In fact, the entire defense was just road kill for the Packers. Even the much maligned guards were opening holes left and right. Tatupu, Kearny, Peterson, Trufant...nothing. Bigbie set the tone defensively by drilling guys at will.

As nice as it is to not go through Dallas, let's not assume the Giants are NFC Championship fodder. 9 straight road wins is impressive, weird almost. But with the game at Curly, the Giants banged up, and the Packers playing so well...it's hard not to get very excited. "One week at a time," as McCarthey would say.