Conference Championship Preview

Only four teams remain in the journey to Super Bowl XLII and the quest for Lombardi’s trophy. The New England Patriots host the San Diego Chargers in Sunday’s first conference championship game, while the Green Bay Packers host the New York Giants in Sunday’s nightcap. As usual, vikings.com has a preview of each game along with a prediction.


San Diego Chargers (13-5) at New England Patriots (17-0)
Gillette Stadium
Sunday, 2:00 CT on CBS

The Patriots pursuit of perfection and the Chargers improbable run through the playoffs continue in Sunday’s early playoff matchup. New England staved off a tough Jacksonville team last week to reach this point while San Diego battled injuries and the unfriendly confines of the RCA Dome to upset the Colts.

This contest is a rematch of a game earlier this season, when the Patriots cruised to a 38-14 victory at home in Week 2. But, as New England coach Bill Belichick mentioned earlier this week, that game was too long ago to dwell on too much.

The key for San Diego will be their health. Three of their most important offensive players, LaDainian Tomlinson (knee), Philip Rivers (knee) and Antonio Gates (toe), are all banged up and their availability is vital. Tomlinson should be able to go, but both Rivers and Gates may be game-time decisions.

The Patriots offense will have to be especially sharp on Sunday if they are to out-play an athletic and talented defense. Randy Moss was held to just one catch for 14 yards last week against the Jaguars, but Tom Brady still went 26 of 28 in an MVP-like performance. A similar performance would be enough to put New England over the top, but it’s also important the running back Laurence Maroney remain an integral part of the game plan.

If Rivers is unable to go it will be backup Billy Volek who takes over the starting duties. Volek led the Chargers on a game-winning drive last week against the Colts. New England will try and get Moss more involved in this game to open up the running game and free up Wes Welker underneath.

Prediction: New England 27, San Diego 17


New York Giants (12-6) at Green Bay Packers (14-3)
Lambeau Field
Sunday, 5:30 CT on FOX

The frozen tundra of Lambeau Field will be very frozen when the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers take the field on Sunday evening. Game-time temperatures are expected to be in the single-digits, adding even more difficulty to the Giants task of winning their third straight road playoff game.

After wins against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys on the road, the Giants find themselves one game away from the Super Bowl. Eli Manning has been playing better and the running tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw has been enough to put the offense over the top.

The Packers have benefited from outstanding play by quarterback Brett Favre, but the offense is also paced by former Giant Ryan Grant, who rushed for a team playoff record 201 yards and three touchdowns last week in the snow against Seattle.

Sunday’s game may come down to the defenses, and who can stop the run more effectively. Both teams boast an effective pass rush, but with the weather expected to be inclement, an efficient running game will be a premium. The Giants allowed an average 97.7 rushing yards per game in the regular season while the Packers gave up 102.9.

If the game comes down to which offense can make a play at the most opportune time, one would have to favor the Packers. Favre is having one of his best seasons and his receivers excel after the catch. But the Giants have defied the odds for two straight weeks and they will look to do the same this week at a frigid Lambeau Field.

Prediction: Green Bay 24, New York 17