John Riordan
Only New Yorkers were crazy enough to believe there was hope.
Their Football Giants went all the way to Green Bay, to the home of the Super Bowl champions, and left with a victory so convincing that no one will argue against their ability to continue all the way to Indianapolis next Sunday fortnight.
Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes as Big Blue shocked the Packers 37-20 in the NFC divisional play-off game with wide receiver Hakeem Nicks scoring another pair of touchdowns, the second of which was as a result of a Hail Mary pass from Manning on the stroke of half-time.
"I think we're a dangerous team," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "I like where we are and how we're playing."
They face another huge obstacle, however: a trip next Sunday evening to the San Francisco 49ers who edged out a thriller in the Bay Area against the New Orleans Saints.
Alex Smith’s play-off debut saw the 49ers quarterback finally live up to the hype that surrounded his 2005 drafting and it was his audacious touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with nine seconds to go that secured an incredible 36-32 victory on Saturday evening.
"This is huge for us," Davis said. "It's history, legendary, anything you can describe."
The frantic last four minutes saw the lead change four times after Darren Sproles put the visitors in the driving seat for the first time. Smith then took the initiative with a rushing touchdown before Jimmy Graham’s incredible catch under pressure pushed the Saints back in front.
It was another impeccable display from Saints quarterback Drew Brees but it wasn’t enough to prevent the resilient 49ers grabbing the win at the death.
Meanwhile, the Patriots were too strong for the Denver Broncos in their AFC divisional play-off game in Foxborough with Tom Brady throwing six touchdown passes - five of those arriving in a lopsided first half - to secure a straightforward 45-10 rout.
"We came in and started fast and it was a big win for us," said Brady who even launched a 48-yard punt on third down during the latter stages of the game.
"I have no idea about records and stuff like that. Anytime you score 45, obviously with the help of our defence, and special teams played great - hopefully we can go out next week and play even better."
It was a frustrating night for Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow who was rendered powerless in the face of an aggressive Patriots defence.
New England will host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC decider at Foxborough next Sunday afternoon after the Ravens came through a gruelling clash with the Houston Texans on Sunday. Despite a brave late push by the visitors, Baltimore held on for a 20-13 victory.
Kris Wilson and Anquan Boldin caught first quarter touchdown passes from Joe Flacco to set up a lead that they defended scrappily at times.
"I always say there is a right way to do things, there is a wrong way to do things and there is just the Ravens' way of doing things," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "It wasn't pretty but we're not really a pretty team. We got the win and now it's on to the AFC Championship."
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/snmtBxsioR4/post.aspx
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