Not Another Predictions Column! Conference Championship Games
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Philip Rivers is hopeful about playing Sunday against New England; but coach Norv Turner has said he will be a gametime decision. While the Chargers’ game-winning drive of last week was of the stuff that builds legends, how much of that stuff can be left? San Diego barely managed to defeat the Colts, and that was with Peyton Manning looking like the Eli Manning of old. Patriots fans are chortling with glee as once again Peyton Manning failed to get it done in the playoffs, making them even more convinced that last year was a fluke as it pertains to Manning and postseason success. In fact, there isn’t much for Patriots fans to not be chortling about this year – it has been a perfect year for Patriot fans, in more ways than one. Despite the Spygate issue at the beginning of the season, Pats fans have been able to enjoy an undefeated season rife with blowout victories, close calls, and the knowledge that they will have a Top Ten draft pick in this year’s draft regardless of the fact that New England is still in contention for a Super Bowl berth. Speaking of which, by the end of the day tomorrow we will know exactly who will be participating in Super Bowl XLII. That fact, that thought, always mystifies me. We go four or five months attempting to predict whom we think will end up ultimately vying for that silver trophy; but in the end, because of the mere passing of a single day, all our speculation turns into either fact or fiction. This, of course, marks the countdown of only two weeks of real football left to watch, before such things as the Pro Bowl and the Arena Football League become prevalent on the football viewers’ scope. It is then that NFL fans begin to disperse, to get back into their football-less everyday lives. Only the diehards stick around, nervously scouring the free agent newswires, and anxiously following all Draft-related news. Enough of this waxing philosophical, it is time to get back to football. Billy Volek may be making the start at quarterback for San Diego, but even if he does not, expect to see him playing at some point. San Diego will have to rely on Norv Turner’s masterful playcalling now more than ever, but just as their hopes were dashed by the Patriots last year, so it shall be again. New England pulls off the victory, catapulting themselves into the Super Bowl. It amazes me that I have not once picked against New England this year. Part of me is pulling for San Diego this week, but if Brett Favre is to win another Super Bowl ring, it would be sweetest to defeat New England.
NEW YORK GIANTS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS
Somewhere up in Wisconsin, there lies a small city of roughly 100,000 people. This small city lies near a Great Lake, and gets 47.7 inches of snow a year. This little city is where one will find perhaps professional football’s most famous football field – Lambeau Field.This city’s name is Green Bay. Ages ago, Bart Starr once inspired frenzied fans with his play on Lambeau Field, but since 1992, there has been one man, and one man alone, who has captured the heart of millions. Brett Favre, once drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, has shown that loyalty does still exist in sports at the professional level. For sixteen years, he has worked, played, bled, tackled, passed, ran, laughed, and amazed the Green Bay faithful. No one knows when or how the legend will end, when the reality will eventually become the stuff of myth, tales passed on from generation to generation. Stories will be told 100 years from now of his on and off-field exploits. And rightfully so – for what other player has done what he has done? There is no one who comes close, except perhaps Cal Ripken, JR, in Major League Baseball. Favre has played through injuries, family sorrows, trials and tribulations. He has taken hit after hit from the media, from critics, and from opposing defensive ends. But yet, when the snow settles on the field, one man still stands. That man is Favre. Favre, a gladiator in his own right, takes none of the credit for himself. Ever gracious, he praises his teammates, and respects his fallen foes. He sheds his battlegear, and goes back to his home to spend time with his family. He stands tall as a protector; a deliverer, a father, and a hero of mythical proportions. Through the years, he has had many a different supporting cast, but some familiar faces are still there. Chad Clifton still protects Favre’s blindside. Donald Driver still catches Favre’s passes. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila still rushes opposing quarterbacks. Nick Barnett still tackles opposing runningbacks. The rookies and young guns have started earning places on the team as well. Players like James Jones, Greg Jennings, and Ryan Grant have bolstered the offensive attack. On defense, young stand-outs Cullen Jenkins and AJ Hawk assist Barnett and Gbaja-Biamila.
Of course, in all of the talk of Green Bay, no one should overlook the Giants. Eli Manning and company have gotten on a roll, gelling at a time when in years past they have melted. Eli Manning has started to carve his own name for himself, perhaps starting to scrape his way out of elder brother Peyton’s shadow. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have solidified the backfield, picking up yards and touchdowns. Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress bookend the wide receiver position, consistently making plays. Kevin Boss has stepped in and filled All-Pro Jeremy Shockey’s shoes quite nicely, looking to provide an excellent two-pronged tight end assault next season. The defensive line has been amazing all year long, harassing opposing quarterbacks without ceasing. The secondary has been picked on, but has fought scrappily. At times they give up the big play, but then somehow they seem to bounce back and make their own big plays. The linebackers are banged up, but they still make the tackles. The Giants are not an overly strong team, but they are not a weak team either. They fight, and they do not stop fighting. Give them an inch, and they will take a corner office. Give them a corner office, and they will take the building. The Giants have never been given a chance this postseason, but yet, they are still here. Seattle is gone. Washington is gone. Tampa Bay is gone. Dallas is gone. Two of those fell at the hands of these very Giants. Will they fell one more opponent before playing in the Super Bowl? Whatever happens, the answer to that question will be known tomorrow night. The Giants will not go down without a fight, but neither will Brett Favre and the Packers. Green Bay will win, taking Brett Favre to the Super Bowl.
By Robert “RingLeader” Gilbert
Last week I went 3-1 and am 6-2 in the playoffs.
[Comments Will Be Taken In The PantherCoalition Forums]
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Philip Rivers is hopeful about playing Sunday against New England; but coach Norv Turner has said he will be a gametime decision. While the Chargers’ game-winning drive of last week was of the stuff that builds legends, how much of that stuff can be left? San Diego barely managed to defeat the Colts, and that was with Peyton Manning looking like the Eli Manning of old. Patriots fans are chortling with glee as once again Peyton Manning failed to get it done in the playoffs, making them even more convinced that last year was a fluke as it pertains to Manning and postseason success. In fact, there isn’t much for Patriots fans to not be chortling about this year – it has been a perfect year for Patriot fans, in more ways than one. Despite the Spygate issue at the beginning of the season, Pats fans have been able to enjoy an undefeated season rife with blowout victories, close calls, and the knowledge that they will have a Top Ten draft pick in this year’s draft regardless of the fact that New England is still in contention for a Super Bowl berth. Speaking of which, by the end of the day tomorrow we will know exactly who will be participating in Super Bowl XLII. That fact, that thought, always mystifies me. We go four or five months attempting to predict whom we think will end up ultimately vying for that silver trophy; but in the end, because of the mere passing of a single day, all our speculation turns into either fact or fiction. This, of course, marks the countdown of only two weeks of real football left to watch, before such things as the Pro Bowl and the Arena Football League become prevalent on the football viewers’ scope. It is then that NFL fans begin to disperse, to get back into their football-less everyday lives. Only the diehards stick around, nervously scouring the free agent newswires, and anxiously following all Draft-related news. Enough of this waxing philosophical, it is time to get back to football. Billy Volek may be making the start at quarterback for San Diego, but even if he does not, expect to see him playing at some point. San Diego will have to rely on Norv Turner’s masterful playcalling now more than ever, but just as their hopes were dashed by the Patriots last year, so it shall be again. New England pulls off the victory, catapulting themselves into the Super Bowl. It amazes me that I have not once picked against New England this year. Part of me is pulling for San Diego this week, but if Brett Favre is to win another Super Bowl ring, it would be sweetest to defeat New England.
NEW YORK GIANTS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS
Somewhere up in Wisconsin, there lies a small city of roughly 100,000 people. This small city lies near a Great Lake, and gets 47.7 inches of snow a year. This little city is where one will find perhaps professional football’s most famous football field – Lambeau Field.This city’s name is Green Bay. Ages ago, Bart Starr once inspired frenzied fans with his play on Lambeau Field, but since 1992, there has been one man, and one man alone, who has captured the heart of millions. Brett Favre, once drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, has shown that loyalty does still exist in sports at the professional level. For sixteen years, he has worked, played, bled, tackled, passed, ran, laughed, and amazed the Green Bay faithful. No one knows when or how the legend will end, when the reality will eventually become the stuff of myth, tales passed on from generation to generation. Stories will be told 100 years from now of his on and off-field exploits. And rightfully so – for what other player has done what he has done? There is no one who comes close, except perhaps Cal Ripken, JR, in Major League Baseball. Favre has played through injuries, family sorrows, trials and tribulations. He has taken hit after hit from the media, from critics, and from opposing defensive ends. But yet, when the snow settles on the field, one man still stands. That man is Favre. Favre, a gladiator in his own right, takes none of the credit for himself. Ever gracious, he praises his teammates, and respects his fallen foes. He sheds his battlegear, and goes back to his home to spend time with his family. He stands tall as a protector; a deliverer, a father, and a hero of mythical proportions. Through the years, he has had many a different supporting cast, but some familiar faces are still there. Chad Clifton still protects Favre’s blindside. Donald Driver still catches Favre’s passes. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila still rushes opposing quarterbacks. Nick Barnett still tackles opposing runningbacks. The rookies and young guns have started earning places on the team as well. Players like James Jones, Greg Jennings, and Ryan Grant have bolstered the offensive attack. On defense, young stand-outs Cullen Jenkins and AJ Hawk assist Barnett and Gbaja-Biamila.
Of course, in all of the talk of Green Bay, no one should overlook the Giants. Eli Manning and company have gotten on a roll, gelling at a time when in years past they have melted. Eli Manning has started to carve his own name for himself, perhaps starting to scrape his way out of elder brother Peyton’s shadow. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have solidified the backfield, picking up yards and touchdowns. Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress bookend the wide receiver position, consistently making plays. Kevin Boss has stepped in and filled All-Pro Jeremy Shockey’s shoes quite nicely, looking to provide an excellent two-pronged tight end assault next season. The defensive line has been amazing all year long, harassing opposing quarterbacks without ceasing. The secondary has been picked on, but has fought scrappily. At times they give up the big play, but then somehow they seem to bounce back and make their own big plays. The linebackers are banged up, but they still make the tackles. The Giants are not an overly strong team, but they are not a weak team either. They fight, and they do not stop fighting. Give them an inch, and they will take a corner office. Give them a corner office, and they will take the building. The Giants have never been given a chance this postseason, but yet, they are still here. Seattle is gone. Washington is gone. Tampa Bay is gone. Dallas is gone. Two of those fell at the hands of these very Giants. Will they fell one more opponent before playing in the Super Bowl? Whatever happens, the answer to that question will be known tomorrow night. The Giants will not go down without a fight, but neither will Brett Favre and the Packers. Green Bay will win, taking Brett Favre to the Super Bowl.
By Robert “RingLeader” Gilbert
Last week I went 3-1 and am 6-2 in the playoffs.
[Comments Will Be Taken In The PantherCoalition Forums]
