NFC Championship Prediction: New York Giants at the Green Bay Packers

Who'd have picked the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants to be in the 2007/ 2008 NFC Championship game? According to preseason predictions, these guys weren't even supposed to win their divisions. Most of Green Bay's offensive running backs and receivers are rookies. ESPN reported the Giants Michael Strahan almost retired in preseason. This is a shocker of an NFC Championship game -- it won't be played in Texas stadium!

In this 2007 postseason, New York's unstoppable force is visiting the immovable object of Favre's Packers at Lambeau Field. Last Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys marked the Giant's ninth consecutive road win, while the Packers are riding a 13-3 miracle season, and sporting a 7-1 home record.

Something's got to give.

It could be the cold home field advantage. Favre is over 80%, 43-5, when the temperature is below 34 degrees. This Sunday, Lambeau Field's forecasted high is seven degrees with a low of minus three-without wind chill. No wonder Green Bay's all-time postseason record on the Frozen Tundra is 15-2. But the Giants have confidence. They will be up for this game, and while weather will play a role if Eli Manning and the boys get behind, don't expect this NFC Championship game to be a blowout.

You've all heard, when division rivals play, throw out the record book. These teams meet twice every season and have no respect for each other. The top-seeded Cowboys just lost to their New York rivals, whose patchwork defense, it seemed, just wanted it more. In the fourth quarter the Giants front four had Tony Romo rattled, out of rhythm, or on his back. On the other side of the ball, Eli Manning demonstrated that he's learned poise and patience. The Giants offense and special teams eked 21 points out of Dallas' very stingy defense.

At Lambeau last weekend, Favre showed he still owns Holmgren. The Seahawks blew a fourteen point lead in their Divisional loss to the Packers, and gave up six straight scores. Nobody-runningback Ryan Grant ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns-a franchise record. Favre threw for three more, padding his recordbook lead over Dan Marino. The Pack is a young team which means once they get a little experience playing together, they'll get nothing but better. If Favre doesn't retire, this team will be even tougher in 2008.

The Packers ground and air assault is on fire right now, while the Giants defense is banged-up. Their front four will have a tough time getting to the legendary Brett Favre. He's most dangerous when he's having fun, or after taking a hard-sack. Expect the ironman gunslinger to be sharp against New York's battered secondary. Green Bay's defense has improved all season. Their corners are among the best in the NFL, and Eli Manning must have to have a perfect game to keep his team in it. Las Vegas odds-makers have the Packers favorited (01.18.2008) and public betting at 65% also favors Green Bay.

NFC Championship weekend: only four teams left, all peaking at the right time. At this level of play, the old adage says turnovers are game-breakers. A frozen pigskin is hard to handle, so expect fumbles and dropped passes. But when the clock runs out in Green Bay on Sunday night, Brett Favre will be throwing more snowballs and acting like a big kid-high on winning the 2007 NFC Championship.