The Giants won their first playoff game since their Super Bowl victory and their first home playoff game since 2001 with a 24-2 thrashing of Atlanta on Sunday. The defense had a huge day, keeping the pressure on Matt Ryan and coming up with several huge stops in close yardage situations.
The game started slowly as neither offense could get on track. Both teams went three-and-out on their first two possessions, but Atlanta finally mounted a drive towards the end of the first quarter. That's where the defense made its first big play, stopping Atlanta on 4th-and-1 from the Giants 24. But, the Giants offense gave the momentum right back to Atlanta when Eli Manning was whistled for intentional grounding in his own endzone, resulting in a safety.
The defense stopped Atlanta after the free kick and the Giants offense went on its first drive of the game ending it with a four-yard touchdown pass from Eli to Hakeem Nicks. After the half, the offense drove down the field and converted a field goal to make it 10-2 and then the defense made another huge play. Once again Atlanta drove into Giants territory and once again the Giants stopped them on 4th-and-1. The Giants then seized control of the game when Eli Manning hit Hakeem Nicks for a 72-yard touchdown. Nicks made a great cut and split the Atlanta defense as he raced home for his second touchdown. The defense kept up the pressure and the offense added a final touchdown on a 27-yard pass from Eli to Mario Manningham.
The Giants are now headed to Green Bay with a chance to knock off the almost-perfect Packers. In 2007, the Giants lost to the Packers at home before beating them in Green Bay in the NFC Championship game. The 2011 Giants have already lost to the Packers at home (in a very close game)—can they pull off the second part a second time? It won't be easy, but we will find out next Sunday at 4:30.
