2007 NFC Divisional Round New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys vs. 2011 NFC Divisional Round New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers

Attribute	2007 NFC Divisional Round New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys	2011 NFC Divisional Round New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers
Winner	New York Giants	New York Giants
Final Score	21-17	37-20
Location	Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas	Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date	January 13, 2008	January 15, 2012
Key Players	Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, Brandon Jacobs	Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Osi Umenyiora

Introduction

The New York Giants have had some memorable playoff matchups in their history, particularly in the NFC Divisional Round. Two of these matchups that stand out are the 2007 game against the Dallas Cowboys and the 2011 game against the Green Bay Packers. Both games were pivotal in the Giants' journey to the Super Bowl, but they had their own unique attributes that set them apart. Let's take a closer look at how these two games compare.

2007 NFC Divisional Round: New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys

In the 2007 NFC Divisional Round, the New York Giants faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in a highly anticipated matchup. The Giants were coming off a Wild Card win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while the Cowboys had earned a first-round bye as the top seed in the NFC. The game was played at Texas Stadium in front of a raucous crowd, adding to the intensity of the matchup.

• The Giants' defense was a key factor in their victory, holding the high-powered Cowboys offense to just 17 points. They were able to pressure quarterback Tony Romo and force turnovers, including a crucial interception late in the game.
• Eli Manning had a solid performance, throwing for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He managed the game well and made key throws when needed, including a touchdown pass to Amani Toomer in the fourth quarter.
• The Giants' running game was also effective, with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combining for over 100 yards rushing. They controlled the clock and kept the Cowboys' offense off the field, limiting their scoring opportunities.

2011 NFC Divisional Round: New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers

Four years later, the New York Giants found themselves in the NFC Divisional Round once again, this time facing the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Giants were coming off a Wild Card win against the Atlanta Falcons, while the Packers were the defending Super Bowl champions and had a 15-1 record in the regular season. The stage was set for another epic showdown.

• The Giants' defense stepped up in a big way, holding the high-powered Packers offense to just 20 points. They were able to pressure quarterback Aaron Rodgers and force turnovers, including a key interception by Chase Blackburn in the second quarter.
• Eli Manning had a standout performance, throwing for 330 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Hakeem Nicks for two long touchdowns in the first half, setting the tone for the game.
• The Giants' running game was also effective, with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs combining for over 100 yards rushing. They were able to control the clock and keep the Packers' offense off the field, limiting their scoring opportunities.

Comparison

When comparing the attributes of the 2007 NFC Divisional Round game against the Dallas Cowboys and the 2011 NFC Divisional Round game against the Green Bay Packers, several similarities and differences emerge. Both games featured strong performances from the Giants' defense, which was able to pressure the opposing quarterbacks and force turnovers. Additionally, Eli Manning played a key role in both games, making crucial throws and managing the game effectively.

One key difference between the two games was the level of competition faced by the Giants. In 2007, they were facing a Cowboys team that was one of the top seeds in the NFC and had a potent offense led by Tony Romo. In 2011, they were up against a Packers team that was the defending Super Bowl champions and had a 15-1 record in the regular season. Despite the tougher competition in 2011, the Giants were able to come away with victories in both games.

Another difference between the two games was the offensive production of the Giants. In 2007, they relied more on their running game to control the clock and keep the opposing offense off the field. In 2011, they were able to have success through the air, with Eli Manning throwing for over 300 yards and multiple touchdowns. This balanced offensive attack helped the Giants stay ahead of their opponents and secure the victories.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2007 NFC Divisional Round game against the Dallas Cowboys and the 2011 NFC Divisional Round game against the Green Bay Packers were both memorable matchups for the New York Giants. While there were similarities in the strong defensive performances and the leadership of Eli Manning, there were also differences in the level of competition faced and the offensive production of the Giants. In the end, both games were crucial stepping stones on the Giants' path to Super Bowl success, showcasing the resilience and talent of the team.