Giants Packers Recap: Burress Overshadowed by Tymes?

In a game dominated by arctic-like temperatures, the Giants pulled off an overtime win to beat the Packers 23-20. Eli manning led a 90's reminiscent, "Play it safe Simms" Giants to a final field goal to make Favre pay for his late-game OT interception. Questions remain, however on whether the kicker, Lawrence Tynes should be labeled a hero or goat and whether his good fortune at the end over-shadowed the outstanding play of Plaxico Burress for the entire game day.

Lawrence Tynes Hero or Goat?

After having some success with Brendan Jacobs and a stable running attack, Tom Coughlin has to seriously wonder what is going on with his Special Teams snapping and field goal system. Most will remember Tynes 47-yarder in OT, but this ignores a problem that may plague them in two weeks against the unforgiving Patriots offense.

How many mistakes can you make against the Patriots and survive in the end? Well, Eli Manning has certainly quieted some by throwing zero interceptions in this NFC championship game, but can the Giants afford to miss field goals next week?

Keep in mind Tynes missed both a 43 and a 36 yarder at the end of regulation in the 4^th quarter. In short, the game should have been put away much earlier with a punishing, time consuming dual-pronged G-men rushing attack.

If any Giant Superbowl upset is - remotely in the cards. they need to have their entire kicking staff on double duty. Granted it was sub-zero like winds and conditions, but Tynes is a NFL kicker and only minimal reprieves can be given for 36 and 43 yard misses. Perhaps, it was the snapper or holder's fault - this should come to light in the next few days, but nevertheless, the Giants must make these corrections before facing New England.

Plaxico Burress and Eli Manning Befuddled the Packers secondary.

Although Burress missed a potentially end zone breaking touchdown, his play against the Packers was nothing short of brilliant. Plaxico's stats are self-evident: 11 receptions for 154 yards. This success allowed Manning to throw with a certain measure of confidence the Packers were unable to rattle while engaging in costly penalties.

Manning's lasers to Plaxico also paved the way for solid running by Jacobs and Bradshaw for a combined 130 yards.

In two weeks

Bill Belichick will have Manning's head with patented Asanti Samuel interceptions if Manning relies on Burress and Toomer too much. The Giants must vary their attack so Manning can integrate young Stevie Smith, Tyree, and Boss in the offense. If the Giants and Manning plant Toomer and Burress as the only deep-ball threats, the Giants will be forced to live or die by their field goal unit. And in the end, this strategy against the Patriots will do nothing but affect the point spread New England wins by (See AFC CHampionship Game).

Any odds on the Giants running a trick-play in the Superbowl? 100 to none anyone?