Here we stand, on the brink of glory. Four teams, two games, one goal. The last five months have cumulated to this very week. Each and every NFL fan will be sitting on the couch or bar stool this weekend pumped up to watch gut wrenching championship play.
We can all but all agree we saw the Patriots here five months ago; but the Chargers, Packers, and Giants? THE GIANTS? Very few of us can say in honesty that we saw those other teams battling for a right to play in Glendale, Arizona on February third.
The Patriots finished the perfect regular season (16-0) and now they want to finish out on a level that no team has ever reached.
The Chargers looked dead in the water early in the season, but eight straight wins has put them in the AFC Championship and given the Norv Turner signing legitimacy.
The Packers lead by the veteran gunslinger have surprised all and every expectation that we set for them, and since week six only LaDainian Tomlinson has had more rushing yards than Ryan Grant.
The Giants have won their last nine road games, and the maturation process of Eli Manning has put the sleeper Giants one game out of the Super Bowl.
Now that you've seen that reports, read the stories, watched the highlights, the only thing you have left to do is read my predictions.
San Diego at New England- 3:00 Sunday CBS
We can all but all agree we saw the Patriots here five months ago; but the Chargers, Packers, and Giants? THE GIANTS? Very few of us can say in honesty that we saw those other teams battling for a right to play in Glendale, Arizona on February third.
The Patriots finished the perfect regular season (16-0) and now they want to finish out on a level that no team has ever reached.
The Chargers looked dead in the water early in the season, but eight straight wins has put them in the AFC Championship and given the Norv Turner signing legitimacy.
The Packers lead by the veteran gunslinger have surprised all and every expectation that we set for them, and since week six only LaDainian Tomlinson has had more rushing yards than Ryan Grant.
The Giants have won their last nine road games, and the maturation process of Eli Manning has put the sleeper Giants one game out of the Super Bowl.
Now that you've seen that reports, read the stories, watched the highlights, the only thing you have left to do is read my predictions.
San Diego at New England- 3:00 Sunday CBS
What is there left to say about New England? The Jaguars hold Randy Moss to one catch so instead Tom Brady hits every other weapon in his arsenal, goes 26-28 with 262 yards and three touchdown passes (let's not forget Wes Welker dropped a pass)
Philip Rivers wasn't too shabby against the Colts, 14-19 with 264 yards three touchdowns and two interceptions, before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter. The Chargers showed their grit in their Indianapolis victory, but it's going to take a healthy offense to hang in with the Patriots.
Even if Rivers, Gates, and Tomlinson are healthy to go it's going to take some trickery, ego-checking at the door, and luck to beat the Patriots.
Seany Says: New England* over San Diego 42-24
*This is the first time this season I've picked the Patriots
New York Giants at Green Bay- 6:30 Sunday FOX
Two teams who have gone far beyond any expectations we had for them. At 38 Brett Favre is having one of his all-time best seasons, and on the other side of the ball Eli Manning is finally blooming in New York.
Plaxico Burress has five receptions and no TD's, against Dallas the Giants ran for ninety rushing yards and managed to sack Romo just once. Yet the newly inspired Giants are playing as a unit, a group of undeniably the hottest NFC team. They've won nine straight road games and go into Lambeau looking to make it ten.
Unfortunately Brett Favre, Greg Jennings, and the youthful Packers offensive attack have other plans. Ryan Grant who spent his first two seasons on the Giants bench/practice squad is ready for revenge. He's taken Tiki's advice, "be patient and your time will come," to heart. Since being named the starter only LT has rushed for more yards, and no one has fumbled less than he did in the regular season.
To add a little punch Grant's official NFL picture still features him in his Giants jersey.
Pro-bowlers Aaron Kampman, Al Harris, and Charles Woodson have reeked havoc on opposing offenses this season. With the homefield advantage and leadership of Favre it's hard to imagine the Packers being stopped short of another trip to the Super Bowl.
Seany Says: Green Bay over New York 31-24
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