4 Downs - NFC Divisional: Giants vs Packers

Giants vs Packers

• 1st Down: Eli Manning vs Aaron Rodgers - Well for both Quarterbacks, this game may mean a lot for not only this season but for their careers. Manning stated before the start of the season, that he's an "elite" QB in this league. So far, he's proven that he could get some STRONG consideration for that slot. Rodgers, by default of being on the defending world champion, is already put as an "elite" QB, even though he's only played 4 full seasons vs Manning's 7 seasons. Both QB's have won the Super Bowl (and Super Bowl MVP) and are both seeking championship #2. Of all the NFC QB's playing this weekend, only Alex Smith is without a championship. So the race for ring #2 is on for these two "elite" QB's.
• 2nd Down: Which Defense should you trust the most: Giants or Packers? - This is the battle of two of the bottom 5 defenses in the NFL. If it wasn't for the cold weather, this game would be high 30's, low 40's, but the weather at Lambeau may be the better defense on Sunday. Packers have the good secondary and LB's vs. the Giants front-4 and ability to pressure opposing QB's without blitzing. The defense who's able to make the other offense make more mistake should win this game. If one of these defenses can get a defense score, then that should help as well.
• 3rd Down: Which overall offense will out-duel the other? - What I mean by this is which Running Backs and Wide Receivers can out play the other. Giants will have Mario Manningham, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks vs the Packers Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Donald Driver for WR's. Expect all of these guys to have decent success against the defenses playing in this game. As for the Running Backs, the Giants Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs vs the Packers James Starks and Ryan Grant. The game will be won and lost here, considering that both teams don't have success running the football.
• 4th Down: 07 NFC Championship Game all over again? - With the except of the very cold weather, 20 degrees around kickoff on Sunday vs. -1 degree (the kickoff temps in the 07 NFC Championship Game). Both teams have considerable amount of players left over from that 2007 season, so it's gonna be interesting to see how some Giants players feel going back to a place that they won at to go to Super Bowl and for the Packers players who could never forget that night. Well their be a Brett Favre sighting there on Sunday? No not physically, but could one of these QB's make an imitation of one Favre with a costly turnover in the last-minutes of the game. This game could be in the hands (hand) of one of these two QB's.

Confidence Pick:

• QB: Manning (3) vs Rodgers (2)
• Defense: Giants (5) vs Packers (7)
• Team: Giants (5) vs Packers (7)
• Giants (13) vs Packers (16)

My Pick: Giants 27, Packers 24