Playoff games, especially championship games usually come down to the prime time players, playing at a prime time level. Occasionally some obscure performer has a great game and is forever remembered by the winning faithful. But most of the time, five or six key figures make the difference. For the Giants, defensive ends Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck have accounted for 32 of the Giants league leading 53 sacks. Last week in Dallas against an offensive line with three all pros the Giants overwhelmed the Cowboys in the second half. In the first meeting Strahan and Umenyiora did not have a sack but that was the second week of the season and the Giants had not arrived either as a team or defense. It is all about pressure; in Tampa they had just one sack but ten knockdowns of Jeff Garcia in the Wildcard Playoff Game. Keep an eye on #91 in white, Justin Tuck. He will be moving around, in standup positions at times, or looping into the middle of the line. This is how the Giants will try to exploit the Packers' young guards. Tuck is a smallish but very quick pass rusher whom the Giants just signed to a $16 million dollar contract extension. Offensively quarterback Eli Manning must be as efficient was he has been the last three weeks--no turnovers! On the ground the Giants are counting on strong performances from tailbacks Brandon Jacobs and Amad Bradshaw. Jacobs is as big as most houses, a power runner. Bradshaw is the lightening to Jacobs' thunder. If the wind kicks up--the team that is better able to run the football will have a major advantage. The Giants rushed for 134 yards a game during the regular season but that total is down to 95 yards in two post season games against very good defenses. Nick Barnett, A J Hawk along with the interior defensive tackles must make sure this dimension of the Giants game is not an option. That would reduce the game to the Giants receivers and without All Pro TE Jeremy Shockey the Green Bay secondary should be capable of getting the job done. A few "light up" hits by Atari Bigby early would send a message that the Packer defense will not be "out-physicaled" (I know it is not a real word--it is a sports term) by the stout New York offense. For the Packers, Brett Favre, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and of course Ryan Grant have to play well in addition to Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher at offensive tackle. Brett for all the obvious reasons. Jennings is the playmaker. Driver should be able to exploit the middle and Grant--no fumbles, can't afford a 14 point deficit in the NFC Title game. Last week the challenge was the Seattle quickness up front. This week the Giants present a more physical front seven but don't underestimate their speed. This is a much better defense overall up front than what the Packers dominated last week. The Giants were 7th in yardage, 8th against the run and first in sacks during the regular season in the NFL rankings. The Packers are as healthy as they have been all season. They are playing very well right now. They have momentum and the home field. But this is the NFL and what should happen (Packers 7 point favorites over the Giants) often does not! In that light, no one here is taking anything for granted. Remember the Giants have won nine in a row on the road and took the undefeated Patriots down to the wire at home the final week of the regular season. If you are going to the game, dress for arctic temperatures and bring your full throat! The crowd at Lambeau was awesome last week and more than five or six players including Coach McCarthy expressed how strong a role the fans played in the Packers' stunning comeback.