It's "real" football - very much unlike the nancy variety you practice in England.

I was going to start a thread about this by Friday, if I hadn't come across one by then here. Thanks, Nightrider!
First, H80; your Chargers have much the same situation to deal with as does the Giants. Both have young and extremely talented quarterbacks, but both have yet to truly "find their feet". In other words, they must be micro-managed and kept on very short leashes, so as not to let their youth and inexperience suffer youthful mistakes. The bright spot is that this was exactly what was done with Manning last weekend, but a little less so with Rivers.
There was even one key play in which Tomlinson had to call the timeout to prevent a delay of game penalty- Rivers was not aware of the playclock running out!
I'm willing to say that San Diego has the best running back in the playoffs by far. But he is playing with a youngster at quarterback that must be watched at all times by their coaches. If so, I believe they match up with every team still remaining. So, the question to me as far as your Chargers go, is: "Can the coach keep Phillip Rivers within his game, without losing the game by virtue of too many turnovers"? If so, the Chargers will be tough in the AFC
The same will apply to Eli Manning and Tony Romo for any of the Giants or Cowboys fans among us.Tony Romo does have more of a running ability, and a deep threat in Terrell Owens that will require double coverage but he still must be kept within his game.
OD, you know I love you; but I think for the Packers to win, they must get Favre a lead quickly, to keep him relaxed enough to control the game. If he gets behind right away by more than 14 points, history has shown that he will start rushing his passes which will result in throwing interceptions.He is by far the most experienced quarterback in the playoffs. I like the Green Bay use of the "slant-in" pass;where an outside reciever just cuts into the middle at the start of the play; with Favre hitting him in stride with a pass. It is the highest percentage of completion pass in football-yet the Pack seem to be the only team that understand this and exploit this.
I'll be back later to finish my dissertation here, I have an appointment to get to.

Well if you know nothing about American football, perhaps you don't need to know. On the contrary, how many of us here know anything about English football (we call it soccer) and rugby/rugby seven? Anybody have the Fox Soccer Channel network?

LOL

Petco Park in San Diego is scheduled to host the Rugby 7's tournament again next month. The second year of a five-year contract. It was good to have that last year.

I've seen rugby on TV, usually played on muddy fields, too.

I think Hong Kong is one of the teams participating here next month.