Posted on
1/16/2008 9:19:56 PM
Bet on NFC Championship Game – Packers Face Giants Offense
By Russell Edward
Being the playoff underdogs in the BetUS sportsbook NFL betting lines is nothing new to Eli Manning and the New York Giants. In the Wild Card round, they were 3.5-points road dogs in Tampa Bay. Result? Giants 24 Buccaneers 14.
In the NFL Divisional playoff round, the G-men went to Texas Stadium as 7.5-point road dogs and became the first team to knock off the NFCs number one seed since the merger in 1970. Score: Giants 21 Cowboys 17
This week, they make their way to Lambeau Field to meet the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. Again, the oddsmakers have made them dogs on the football betting lines, this time by a touchdown.
New York Giants +7 at Green Bay Packers –7: Total 40.5
Manning has the size, strength and is athletic enough to hit his receivers with just about any throw, but is consistency has been somewhat iffy at times. Not so in these playoffs, where he has throw for four scores and zero interceptions. His focus on taking what the defenses offer and not making the mental errors that have caused him to turn the ball over in the past, manning has become a very good manager of the game. The coaching staff has helped him along by simplifying the movements and shifts pre-snap, better enabling the younger Manning to make reads properly and execute the necessary plays.
NFC Championship Game: Sunday, January 20 at 6:30 p.m. EST
Although things will certainly not come easy for Eli against a stout Packers secondary, he does have the weapons he needs to spread the field and look for the weakest coverage. Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride helps the passing game by expertly mixing in the running game to keep defenses on their toes. He will use running back Brandon Jacobs heavily in this game, knowing that the Green Bat run defense has slacked in the second half of the year.
Getting Jacobs successfully started early on will be one of the keys to any chance the Giants will have at winning this game and some of the burden must fall on fullback Madison Hedgecock to lead block the way. Hedgecock and the offensive line, which averages over 315 pounds per man, will have to excel in taking control of the interior of the line of scrimmage in order to allow Eli time for the play-action calls within the Giants system
If the Packers can stop the run early and put some points on the board first, it will transfer more pressure onto Manning’s shoulders. With such great corners as Charles Woodson and Al Harris, you can bet this is just what Green Bay will be playing for. You’d better have trust in Eli’s ability to beat these two if it is New York you plan on betting on this weekend.
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