Yes, we have now arrived at a very special game in our 'Season In Review' series. The game where I picked the Green Bay Packers to win. And where Inside Football editor Pat Traina finally made a prediction, taking the Giants. Yes, we have arrived at the Giants' 37-20 thrashing of the defending champion Packers at Lambeau Field in the divisional round of the NFC Playoffs.
This game was tied, 10-10, midway through the second quarter, but the Giants largely dominated from that point on. When Hakeem Nicks hauled in a 37-yard 'Hail Mary' pass from Eli Manning for a touchdown to close the first half and give the Giants a 20-10 lead the the message was pretty clear. The Packers' reign as champions was about to end, because the Giants were winning this game.
Manning was immense in this game, going 21-of-33 for 330 yards and three touchdowns. Nicks caught seven passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, the 37-yard 'Hail Mary' catch and a 66-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter.
The Giants took advantage of uncharacteristically sloppy play from Green Bay. New York recovered three Packer fumbles and intercepted quarterback Aaron Rodgers once en route to reaching the NFC Championship Game. Rodgers completed 26-of-46 passes, but totaled only 264 yards passing. The Giants sacked him four times.
By this point, the eerie similarities to the Giants' 2008 Super Bowl run were undeniable. Oh, and I was catching a lot of grief from the peanut gallery.
(via MastaUliazz21)