Championship Day in Title Town USABy Wayne Larrivee
The Friday before the NFC title game in Title Town USA. The Fox broadcast team arrived today. They handled the Giants-Dallas game last weekend in Texas Stadium, so they have a good perspective on the Giants and the way they have come through during the post season.
The Giants are trying to become the first Wild Card entrant to advance to the Super Bowl with three straight post season road wins since the Steelers and Jerome Bettis did it three seasons ago. The main difference between the two teams is that those Steelers were much healthier than these Giants. The Giants will play this weekend without All-Pro TE Jeremy Shockey, running back Derrick Ward and starting outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. Injured but expected to play are two members of the Giants secondary, cornerbacks Sam Madison and Aaron Ross. Additionally wide receiver Plaxico Burress has been hobbled by a chronic ankle injury all season.
The Packers meanwhile are one of the healthiest clubs in the post season. The loss of defensive tackles Colin Cole and Johnny Jolley has hurt the run defense but defensive tackle is one of the deepest positions on the team. Corey Williams and rookie Justin Harrell are quality inside people.
The feeling here in Green Bay by both local and national media is that the Packers have an outstanding opportunity to get to the Super Bowl. Yea duh!!! But capitalizing on the moment is what this game will be all about. In future seasons they may never be this healthy this late and half of winning is being healthy. The other half of winning is being at home in the post season.
As for the weather? Brett Favre is 43-5 here on the Frozen Tundra when the temperature is 34 degrees or colder--it's expected to be much colder than that here Sunday evening for the NFC Title game.
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