On The Shoulders Of Giants

While the New England/San Diego game was exciting for about 52 of the 60 minutes, the Green Bay/New York game delivered more than the scheduled hour of nail-biting game time! The Giants were able to win it 23-20 in overtime, on the leg of their field goal kicker Tynes who redeemed himself for two fourth quarter misses. While Tom Brady survived a playoff worst 3 interceptions in leading his team to a 21-12 win over the Chargers, the Packers' Brett Favre threw one pick too many, turning the ball over to open the overtime period.

Both games were played in extremely cold conditions (in Foxborough, Massachusetts and Green Bay, Wisconsin) and the weather definitely affected the play. The Packers hosted the third coldest game in NFL history tonight, if I heard that stat right. With the SuperBowl set for two weeks from today in Arizona, at least bitter cold won't be a problem for the big show!

The Giants are now on an incredible roll, and one that really started when they almost ruined the Patriots' perfect season in that thrilling game at the end of the regular campaign. Despite losing that final game of the 2007 season, New York earned a lot of respect for their play in that game - a match that meant absolutely nothing to them in terms of playoff positioning - and who could've guessed then that it actually represented a SuperBowl preview? Not me, that's for sure!

With subsequent wins over Tampa Bay, Dallas and now Green Bay, New York's had (at least) four weeks in a row where they've been cast in the role of underdog and still managed to shine. Can they complete the Cinderella year and upset the Patriots after being given a second shot to be "perfect season spoilers?" The difference this time around, of course, is that the SuperBowl means as much to the Giants as it does to the Patriots! And how about the fact that Brady will play a Manning in the post-season, after all... just not the one everyone expected!

Not a bad Conference Championship Sunday at all!