Tonight is the NFL Conference Championship Games, with

  • San Diego Chargers vs New England Patriots for the AFC Championship
  • New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers for the NFC Championship

As you may gather from reading previous posts, I am an NFL fan and the team I follow most of all is the New England Patriots. This years playoffs have been really entertaining and interesting, numerous ‘upsets’, brilliant drama, and some amazing plays.

Speaking from the heart I expect tonights games to go the way of the hosts, meaning a New England vs Green Bay Superbowl. Speaking from the head I still expect the hosts to win, any team going into Foxborogh and Lambeau Feild will have problems, but add the weather conditions in January along with the playoffs and the possibility of a trip to the Superbowl I think will be a step too far for the visiting teams.

I am amazed at both of them though. I remember how badly the Giants started the season and the discussion among some elements of the UK that the first London regular season game would have the two worst teams in the NFL. They have come along way and Eli Manning and the Giants defense have grown up and come of age through the season.

The Chargers’ season almost slipped under the radar on this side of the Atlantic. They were really a shadow of the team that dominated on offense last year, but seem to have developed that winning mentality, shown especially with their win in Indianapolis over the Colts with both Philip Rivers and Ladainian Tomlinson both out with injuries.

So in light of this reflection do I think that the coming of age of the Giants or the winning mentality of the Chargers to be enough to turn the tide. No, homefield advantage will be too much of an advantage, and what could be better in two weeks time to have the romance of Brett Farve going after his second Superbowl ring in possibly his last match against the record breaking New England Patriots trying to finish off the perfect season.