NFL Playoffs: Championship Game Prediction Accountability

Week 20 of the NFL season ended the hopes of two of the final four contestants for a ticket to the Super Bowl. The Conference Championship games decided which two teams would be competing for the World Championship of professional football. For a brief overview of the various rounds of the NFL playoffs on the road to the Super Bowl, my article "A Beginners Guide to the N F L Playoffs" should answer your questions.

As the Championship games go, it is time for some accountability for my Championship Game predictions.

Giants at Packers

Prediction: Green Bay Packers 27 - New York Giants 24

Actual: New York Giants 23 - Green Bay Packers 20

The weather was -4 by the time the game entered the 4^th quarter. At half time, the Packers lead 10-6, and it looked as though it would be a defensive struggle ending in the Packers heading to their 5^th Super Bowl. The fourth quarter was nothing of that.

In a topsy turvy game, there was more than 600 yards of offense and 4 lead changes. The Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes missed a 36-yard field goal which would have sealed the game for the Giants in regulation, giving the Packers a second life. Regulation ended in a 20-20 draw.

The Packers won the coin toss and began their drive, but two plays into overtime, Packers quarterback Brett Favre was picked off at the Packers' 35-line line by the Giants' Corey Webster. The Giants went three and out, advancing the ball to the 30 yard line, setting up a 47 yard field goal attempt. After missing twice, Lawrence Tynes drove the ball straight down the pipe for the 3-points to end the game, sending the Giants to the Super Bowl for the fourth time.

Chargers at Patriots

Prediction: New England Patriots 38 - San Diego Chargers 24

Actual: New England Patriots 21 - San Diego Chargers 12

The Chargers' Divisional round game with the Indianapolis Colts resulted in a victory, but a costly one indeed. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Quarterback Philip Rivers both suffered knee injuries; Tight End Antonio Gates was nursing a dislocated toe. The day after the game, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Rivers had undergone arthroscopic surgery on his knee earlier in the week so he could play. In the end, the injuries and the below freezing temperatures were too much to overcome.

Rivers threw two interceptions (to the Patriots' Tom Brady's three), and threw no touchdowns. Tomlinson played only a few snaps in the first quarter, but was sidelined for the rest of the game.

Championship Predictions: 1 for 2

Divisional Round Predictions: 2 for 4
Wild Card Predictions: 1 for 4
Overall: 4 for 10

Super Bowl XLII will feature a match up of the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. The story line is the Patriots will look to complete a perfect season against the team they defeated to complete their perfect regular season. The Giants have taken on the identity of "team of Destiny" while the Patriots are the "team of History." Which will win out - Destiny or History? We will know on February 3, 2008.