On Momentum, Eli Manning, The Offensive Line, and The Goal On Defense

Tanier: Don't talk about first-round 'momentum' - NFL- NBC Sports. A good look at why the Giants win on Sunday against the Falcons won't help them beat the Packers next Sunday.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Wild Card Quick Reads. A look at Eli Manning's game against the Falcons. Other than a touchdown pass, he was generally ineffective in the first half. He was much better in the second half when the Giants scored 17 points.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Audibles at the Line: Wild Card Weekend. "The real story here is that New York's defense completely kicked Atlanta's offensive ass," wrote Vince Verhei. The Giants defensive line played very well, and the Falcons had trouble blocking their defensive tackles. That shouldn't be a problem for the Packers because their interior offensive lineman (T.J. Lang, Scott Wells, and Josh Sitton) are very good.

Giants-Packers: Judgment day for defense - NFC North Blog - ESPN. Kevin Seifert looks back at all the yards that the pass defense has surrendered, but also looks at one of their best games of the season. On Thanksgiving, the Packers got pressure on Matthew Stafford without blitzing (a season low 22.4 percent) and the Lions didn't score until they were down 24-0 in the fourth quarter. I don't know if it's possible to pressure Eli Manning effectively by rushing only four, but that should be the goal.