Favreism

Well, I've had a few blogs in my time. Mostly they have turned into meandering treatises on my life in general, and often lack in substance. Still, I think having a blog on CBS, a site to which I am a frequent visitor, would be a good idea. Here, rather than bringing in posts about entertainment, politics, or the everyday happenings of my life, I'll write about sports, and sports only.

That being said, here's what I'm thinking for the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend.

NFC: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers:

As a Packers fan, I was elated when the Giants were able to bring down the Cowboys in the divisional playoffs. While I did think Dallas had slipped in recent weeks, the fact that Brett Favre was winless in Dallas over his illustrious career was troubling. Now, the road to Super Bowl 42 is going through Lambeau, so there are no excuses. The Packers are the youngest and most inexperienced team in the NFL, but their team chemistry and natural athletic talent have shown through that. The Giants are on a hot streak, however, and pose a worthy opponent. Watching Eli Manning dissect the Dallas secondary with his 53 second scoring drive at the end of the first half in the previous game showed me that even with his inconsistencies, he can show courage under fire. Still, with Plaxico Burress still not 100%, Amani Toomer getting up there in age, and relative youth at the other receiving slots in Steve Smith and tight end Kevin Boss, I think the physical Packers secondary will frazzle them. During the Seattle game, Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle receivers were constantly losing their composure calling for flags on Al Harris and Charles Woodson, and the Giants can't let that happen if they want to stay in this game. On the other end of the field, the Giants depleted secondary still played well against the Cowboys at the end of the game, yet one wonders how well they will hold up against Brett Favre spreading the ball all over the field for the duration of the game. In my mind, both of these factors will lead to a close Packers victory.
Prediction: Packers 24, Giants 17.

AFC: San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots

Once again, before I begin this prediction, I must admit my biases. While I am a Packers fan first, I spent the duration of my childhood growing up in Massachusetts, and therefore have a very large soft spot for the Patriots. I was pleased to see the Colts fall, especially given the fact that the Chargers are now ravaged with injuries at the skill positions. LaDanian Tomlinson is set to play, as are Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, yet they are not 100%, and any disadvantage they have against the unstoppable force known as the Patriots is a major one. Still, the Patriots have petered off in recent weeks. They have found ways to win, but have not dominated games like they did earlier in the season, when they routed the Chargers. The Chargers defense, with All-Pro cornerback Antonio Cromartie, are a dangerous bunch, and their run defense could pose a threat to Laurence Maroney. Still, given all the injuries to the Chargers, and the fact that it's Tom Brady, at Gillette Stadium, in the AFC Championship game, I have to give the win to the Patriots.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Chargers 20

Well, that's all for now. Until next time (most likely the Super Bowl itself), this is Favreism, signing off.