Four years ago the Giants changed the course of the Packers season and, really, Packers history. They upset Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game, Brett Favre never wore a Packers uniform again, and the Giants completed an unlikely sojourn to a Super Bowl title.
On Sunday night at Lambeau, the stakes were different — the dawning of a Packers dynasty was potentially weeks away — but the result was the same. The constant in both games? Eli Manning.
In a tussle that ultimately became a blowout, Manning outdueled Aaron Rodgers and led the Giants to a 37-20 over the Packers and a date in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday in San Francisco.
Can another Giants’ Super Bowl trip be far behind?
After proclaiming himself an elite quarterback earlier this season, Manning has left no doubt that he is. His calm in the pocket, accuracy on the move and feel for the big moment have coalesced into a magical season that marches on for at least one more week.
The Giants also have a chance to avenge their 27-20 loss in San Francisco in Week 10.
“We’ve been in playoff mode for the last month, starting with the Jets game,” Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty said.
Against the Packers, Manning was the best quarterback on the field. He spread the football around to his receivers, backs and tight ends, sliding around the pocket with his eyes downfield.
In the first quarter he hit Hakeem Nicks for a 66-yard score (when Packers safety Charlie Peprah went for the big hit instead of the sure tackle) and he found Nicks again for a touchdown on the final play of the first half, a 37-yard Hail Mary that stuck to Nicks’ facemask in an echo of the Manning-David Tyree connection from Super Bowl XLII. Nicks finished with seven catches for 165 yards and the two scores.
“Just a great catch by him,” Manning said. “One of the few [Hail Marys] I’ve thrown up and the first one that’s been caught.”
Manning finished the game 21 for 33 for 330 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Rodgers, the likely league MVP, was 26 of 46 for 264 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and one fumble.
