GREEN BAY—No defending Super Bowl Champ has won a Playoff game since the New England Patriots after their 2004 Title season, That streak is continuing as the New York Giants won their second straight Playoff game at Lambeau Field,beating the Green Bay Packers 37-20. Green Bay was 15-1 in the Regular Season,but they won as many Post Season Games this year as the Bears-ZERO.
This was the Packers first Home Playoff Game in four years.In January 2008,the Giants won in Overtime to win the NFC Title,and advance to Super Bowl 42,where they knocked off New England. With a temperature of 31* and a wind chill in the teens,it was much warmer than last time when it was about 13* and the wind chill was well below zero. Green Bay won the toss,and pulled a ‘Lovie Smith’ by deferring. The Giants had an impressive opening drive,going 67 yards in 13 plays, converting a pair of third downs as Eli Manning hit Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz. Lawrence Tynes kicked a 31 yard field goal with 6:27 elapsed.
Cobb then fumbled on his KO return and Tyler Sash recovered at the GB 21,but the Packers challenged the call on the field,but it was overturned. The Packers drove to the Giants 29,then Aaron Rodgers had a wide oven Jermichael Finley,but overthrew him and Mason Crosby tied the game with a 47 yard field goal.
Again,after the kickoff,Manning converted another third down,then quickly checked off(Good ridence Mike Martz!)and hit Hakeem Nicks in stride and he outran the two safeties 66 yards for the game’s first touchdown. After Tynes kicked the ball out of bounds,the Packers started at their 40 and after picking up a pair of first downs,Rodgers hit Greg Jenning at the NYG 32 where HE fumbled,but the ruling of the field was down by contact.Tom Coughlin’s challenge was not upheld, as the Pack twice dodged fumbles.The first quarter ended with GB on the NYG eight and Rodgers had FB John Kuhn unguarded in the left flat for an easy touchdown to tie the game at 10-10. Crosby then tried an onside kick but Derrick Martin recovered and returned it four yards to the Green Bay 41. This drive halted at the 23 and Tynes 40 yard Field goal try was blocked by Brad Jones. Green Bay took over at it’s own 30.The Giants held and were driving but on a third down,Manning threw a careless pass that Morgan Burnett easily picked off and returned 14 yards to his own 26.Kuhn fumbled and Antrel Rolle scooped it up,returning it 9 yards to the Green Bay 34.Manning found Nicks for 29 yards to the five yard line.Ahmad Bradshaw powered to the one,with Clay Matthews making the stop. Brandon Jacobs was then hit for a 5 yard loss by Desmond Bishop at the two minute warning. After an incompletion in the end zone, Tynes again came on and kicked a 23 yard field goal to put NYG back in front 13-10. The Giants defense sacked Rodgers and forced a punt. With :05 on the clock Manning sent a ‘Hail Mary’ into thr end zone which Nicks caught and the Giants took a 20-10 lead into half time.As the Pack went off the field, the Boos made it sound like Soldier Field!
The Packers were moving on the first drive of the third quarter when Osi Umenyiora forced a Rodgers fumble which Deon Grant recovered at the NYG 36.But after a rather poor spot,the Giants had to punt. A long run by James Starks set up a Crosby 35 yard field goal with 3:50 left in the third quarter to get Green Bay to within 20-13.
The fourth quarter belonged to the G-Men. Tynes kicked a with 7:43 left, then after a Rogers pass was picked off by D.Grant, Manningham took in a 4 yard TD pass from Manning, The Packers got one last score when Rodgers connected with Donald Driver from 16 yards,but the on side kick Green Bay attempted was recovered by Cruz, Brandon Jacobs caps the day off with a 14 yard run.
NOTES—Green Bay only lost six fumbles all season,but the Giants recovered three GB fumbles in this game…..Manning was 21-33 for 330 yards and three touchdowns…..Rodgers was 26-46 for 264 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 int….The Giants play the 49ers for the NFC Title at Candlestick Park this Sunday night….This was only the Packers fourth ever Home Playoff loss, two have been to the Giants.
LES