Damn!

A perfectly fine weekend of hibernating with the munchkin was spoiled last night by the Green Bay Packers' 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC championship game. The Pack had the homefield advantage, brutally cold weather (which they're allegedly used to in Green Bay) on their side, and the "other" Manning (Eli) at quarterback for the Giants.

However, the Giants - and especially Manning and receiver Plaxico Burress - outplayed the Pack on the frozen tundra. In fact, if it weren't for a couple of field goal misses from ex-CFLer Lawrence Tynes, this game wouldn't have even gone to overtime. And, although I don't want to, you have to give Tynes credit for rebounding to kick the winning 47-yard field goal in those conditions.

I'm not sure who calls the offensive plays for the Pack. Is it head coach Mike McCarthy? His offensive coordinator? Whomever it is should have that responsibility taken away from him. Throwing a wide-side out in overtime when your quarterback has frozen hands? That's a mistake not even a high school coach would make! And losing seven and ten yards on completed passes? Screen passes repeatedly stuffed? Brutal.

Stupid, stupid playcalling did the Packers in. That and four penalties on a Giants scoring drive. Chalk it up to inexperience, I guess. Either way, New England should have a fairly easy time with the NFC champs in the Super Bowl. Still, it would have been nice to watch Favre, Jon Ryan and crew in the big dance with the Pats. Next year, perhaps?

On the bright side, the Regina Pats have won six in a row, after sweeping a three game tour of Central Division clubs this weekend. The Pats only trail Calgary by two points for top spot in the Eastern Conference.