Has it really sunk in yet? Has your pulse rate returned to normal?

After a 20-17 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers, the Giants are going to the Super Bowl.

It’s amazing how far this Giants team has come in a little more than a month. This was a team that was 7-7 at one point, lost to the Seahawks and twice to the Redskins, and looking maddeningly inconsistent for a good portion of the season. But they hung tough, they got key wins at the end of the season instead of collapsing, and have been rolling ever since. This Giants team is a testimony to the fact that in the NFL postseason, it’s not about who was best in the regular season but about getting hot at the right time.

Thoughts from the game-

-On a night when the offense struggled to move in the ball, especially in the second half, it was great to see the defense play so well. They didn’t get to Alex Smith as much as expected and were burned on big plays a few times but they refused to bend or break and buckled down when needed. Which, if you think about it, is really how they’ve operated in the past few weeks. The Giants defense tends to give up a decent amount of yards but they manage to keep their opponent off the board, which is what’s most important any way.

-Given San Francisco’s turnover-happy defense, one of the keys to this game for the Giants was winning the turnover battle, just like they did last week in Green Bay. Not only were they +2 in that category but both of the turnovers they recovered were huge. (Both came on special teams too, which is one area where many seemed to think the 49ers had a clear advantage.) If it wasn’t for the Kyle Williams muffed punt and Jacquain Williams and Devin Thomas teaming up on that fumble recovery, the 49ers very well could have put the Giants away for good.

Speaking of the muffed punt, was I the only one who was amazed that challenge went the Giants’ way, considering what happened last week with the Greg Jennings so-called non fumble?

-The Giants struggles in the running game reared its ugly head again, though in fairness they were playing against a very stout run defense. Eli Manning got no relief from handing the ball off to Ahmad Bradshaw or Brandon Jacobs, and there were times when he could’ve used that break. It really goes to show how much the offense has depended on him all year.

-Here’s to hoping that the injured 49ers cornerback- Tarrell Brown if I recall correctly- is alright after colliding with one of his teammates during the game. Seeing him lay on the field for so long was scary, though it was a huge relief that he was showing signs of movement. No one wants another Kevin Everett situation.

-As pointed out above, the Giants defense was stingy when needed. The 49ers were 1-for-13 on third down all game and that one third down conversion was from the end of the fourth quarter when the Giants were in prevent defense and only concerned about not giving up a touchdown with no time left on the clock.

-The offensive line didn’t have the best game. Manning was sacked six times in the game and hit infinitely more.

-When the Giants make it to the NFC Championship, they win the NFC Championship. They are now 5-0 in NFC Championship games.

-Congratulations to Victor Cruz for his first career 100 yard postseason game!

-I admit all the references to this being a “repeat” of 2007 were getting a bit old/annoying but now it’s almost creepy. The Giants win the NFC Championship game on the road, against a team who had beaten them in the regular season, thanks to an overtime field goal by Lawrence Tynes, which was set up by a turnover, in order to play the Patriots in the Super Bowl. You have to admit that’s at least a little bit weird.

At least Tynes didn’t miss two potential game-winning field goals in regulation this time. I don’t know if I could’ve taken that again, especially considering how tight this game was defensively. But be sure to brace yourself for unlimited mentions of this being a “Super Bowl XLII rematch”.

So, Here We Go!  The first playoff game in New Giants Stadium takes place this Sunday at 1:00 when the Atlanta Falcons face the New York Giants.  The Giants are healthy and on a roll.  They have ended the Eagles, Cowboys and Jets seasons in the past three weeks, and now look to put together a run in the playoffs.  Let’s take a look at some of the match-ups that will be key on Sunday.

Jacquian Williams and Michael Boley vs. Tony Gonzalez.  It’s going to take both of them and more to keep Tony Gonzalez under control.  Not getting beat deep, or for big plays will be a win for the Giants.  Controlling Tony is all you can ask for.  He is a big target for the Falcons in the red zone.

The Giants D-Line vs the Falcons running game.  The Giants have done better recently against the run.  Getting some negative plays to keep the Falcons off schedule will be another key to this game.  Forcing them into a few third and longs will allow them to rush Matt Ryan and put pressure on the young QB.  Keeping the running game under control on 1st and 2nd down will go a long way towards a good day for the defense.

The Giants receivers vs the Falcons secondary.  With Jake Ballard back, the Giants have plenty of weapons for Eli to utilize.  Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham, D.J. Ware, and others will force the porous Atlanta secondary to make tackles and cover for a long time.  The Falcon defensive line cannot rush Eli with any effectiveness, so they will need help from the linebackers and secondary.  When you blitz Eli, usually you pay the price.  Look for the Giants to get physical with the corners, one who is listed as questionable for the game, and the other who is very young.

The Falcons receivers vs. the Giants secondary:  Really this is not the match-up that will determine the outcome.  The D-line needs to get pressure on Matt Ryan, so the secondary won’t be exposed.  They can easily cover the short passes, and keep the plays in front of them.  Given time though, Matt Ryan will take some shots down field to the very talented Julio Jones and others.

I fully expect the Giants to play well in this game and keep their positive energy moving forward.