New York’s Road to Victory

TGI breaks down three of the biggest matchups in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game…

Giants LDE Michael Strahan vs. Packers RT Mark Tauscher – Strahan has been playing as well as anyone in the league defensively this playoff season. He’s showing no signs of a guy that wasn’t even sure whether or not he’d play this season. After a slow start, Strahan’s back to his Pro Bowl ways. Tauscher symbolizes everything the Packers are all about. He’s a former Big Ten lineman (Wisconsin) who comes to play every single play. Tauscher plays equally well in both the run and pass games and has a good mix of brute strength and veteran finesse. With Tauscher at 6-3, 315, it’s no surprise to say that Strahan will have his hands full against this established eight-year veteran. Whoever wins this matchup will go a long way to leading their team to the Super Bowl.

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Packers OLB A.J. Hawk – For the Giants to reach Super Bowl XLII, Jacobs is going to have to come up with a strong game at Lambeau Field. He averaged more than 100 yards a game during the regular season, but hasn’t been as successful in the postseason. Hawk has been dominant with the Packers. Playing strong side LB, he’s been able to track down ball-carriers at an alarming clip, at least if you’re Jacobs and the Giants. The versatile Hawk is superb at the point of attack, but also has the speed to ‘hawk’ down runners, if you will. He finished the season with 105 tackles, while adding a forced fumble and an interception. Jacobs will meet up with Hawk often on Sunday. The better man will emerge victorious – and his team will likely be celebrating an NFC title.

Giants WR Plaxico Burress vs. Packers CB Al Harris – Harris and Charles Woodson make up one of the best cornerback tandems, if not the best, in the entire league. Harris is a 10-year veteran and uses his experience and intelligence to make up for his lack of blinding speed. Burress is in a bit of a slump, having caught just one pass in two of the last four games. But for Big Blue to be able to consistently move the sticks against the Pack, Burress must hold up his end of the bargain. Harris is a strong cover corner that finished the regular season with 37 tackles and a pair of picks. The physical Harris played a strong game last weekend against the Seahawks and will be looking forward to the challenge of shutting down New York’s top gun.