Jason Pierre-Paul: Giants will Beat Packers "Because We're The Best"

The New York Giants defensive behemoth Jason Pierre-Paul walked the walk yesterday during the team's 24-2 demolition of the Atlanta Falcons in their NFC wild card playoff game.  After the game he started talking the talk about facing the Packers.

"We're going to win," boasted the second-year defensive end.  "One hundred percent, we're going to win...because we're the best."

Fresh from a defensive performance that included eight tackles (two for losses) and a key stop on a fourth-and-one that stopped a Falcon's drive at the Giants 21-yard line, JPP said he can't wait for next Sunday's rematch against the Green Bay Packers.

The Giants (10-7) are nine-point underdogs next week against the Packers (15-1) and JPP is craving the opportunity to avenge the Dec. 4 meeting when the Giants lost, 38-35, on a last second field goal.

The loss left a bitter taste in JPP's mouth, but did nothing to hush it up.

"We know it's one and done [and] we aren't going to let that happen," said the defensive end.  "We're going to walk away with a win."

The was alot of confidence to go around after yesterday's well-balanced victory at MetLife Stadium.  The Giants defense was especially impressive.

"It was our best defensive effort of the year," said Giants DE Justin Tuck.

The G-Men gave up only 247 total yards to a potent Falcons team and held running back Michael Turner to 41 yards.

Two huge stops on fourth-down quarterback sneaks deep on their own side halted two potential Falcons scoring drives.

The only points the Falcons scored came off a second quarter safety when Eli Manning was flagged for intentional grounding.

While JPP was walking the walk most of the game, there a time when the Giants sack demon was laid out on the turf after he collided with teammates Aaron Ross and Tuck.

JPP threw a scare into his team until he got back up and walked it off.

"He got up," Osi Umenyiora said, "like he was Optimus Prime or something."

Pierre-Paul left the game but returned shortly after "[getting] the wind knocked out of  me."

Sounds like there was still enough wind left to puff out his chest and predict a victory over the reigning Super Bowl champs.

Justin Tuck Sits Out Friday's Practice

Justin Tuck may not be completely healthy after all.  The New York Giants defensive end sat out practice on Friday while his teammates worked out.

Tom Coughlin said Tuck was just sore and it isn't a concern.  The Giants head coach said Tuck was listed as "probable" for Sunday's NFC wild card game against the Atlanta Falcons.

It was the first time Tuck sat out a practice since Antrelle Rolle's call for "all hands on deck" three weeks ago following the Giants loss to the Washington Redskins.

Tuck quietly watched, perched on the stationary bike, while the rest of the team hit the practice field and only had a "no comment" when asked what was ailing him.

An unusually reserved answer from the defensive end.

The defensive captain has battled a laundry list of physical problems all season— including neck, groin, ankle and toe injuries.

In last Sunday's win against the Dallas Cowboys, Tuck appeared to have injured a shoulder but returned to the game and recorded a sack and recovered a fumble.

Tuck has literally put his neck-to-toe pains behind him all season and missing today's practice might just be a precaution.

The Giants are counting on the defensive line to disrupt Falcons Matt Ryan's potent offense and a healthy Tuck is a happy one.

Linebacker Mark  Herzlich sat with Tuck on the side and will not play (ankle) on Sunday.

DE Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee), TE Jake Ballard (knee) and RB Da'Rel Scott (knee) all practiced and are expected to play Sunday.

Giants Tuck: "We're Capable of Winning Super Bowl"

Justin Tuck had a little trouble Sunday night before finding his intended Gatorade target— Tom Coughlin— after the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 31-14— but it sounds like the Giants defensive end plans on dumping a cooler of the juice on his head coach after the Super Bowl.

"We're capable of winning the Super Bowl," said Tuck after the Giants clinched their first playoff spot  since 2008.

Tuck finally did douse Coughlin with the Gatorade— with a little help from the coach's son-in-law Chris Snee—after the Giants handily beat the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.

Tuck's optimism is not unfounded.  After a lackluster performance against the Washington Redskins, the G-Men had relatively easy wins against two bitter rivals— the Cowboys and New York Jets.

The Giants defensive line is healthy for the first time this season and sacked Tony Romo six times and chased him all over the field.

Last week against the Jets, the Giants got to Mark Sanchez five times and forced three interceptions.

The Giants (9-7) run to the Super Bowl is a marathon and kicks off next Sunday in a wild card game against the Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at MetLife Stadium.

The Falcons might prove to be a bigger challenge than either the Cowboys or Jets.  Dallas came to New Jersey with Romo and his bruised throwing hand and the Jets were there with Sanchez and his black and blue ego.

The Giants now face a formidable opponent with another Ryan on their side.

After beating loudmouths Rex and Rob, they will face Matt Ryan— a quarterback who does his talking on the field.

Combine Atlanta's Ryan with running back Michael Turner, receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White and veteran Tight-end Tony Gonzalez and you have a multi-faceted offense that can run up the score.

Let's play devil's advocate and assume the Giants do beat the Falcons and the New Orleans Saints defeat the Detroit Lions, then they will have to play the Green Bay Packer at Lambeau Field.

The Giants almost beat the Packers in a 38-35 shoot-out on Dec. 4 at MetLife Stadium and did beat the Pack in the NFC Championship game in Green Bay on their run to their 2008 Super Bowl title.

Tuck isn't the only Giants player sipping the Gatorade.

"I think we're in the perfect position," said linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka.  " We didn't get here the way that we wanted to, but regardless of what happened during the season, we're in the playoffs, we won our division, we have a chance at the Super Bowl."

The Giants are the first NFC East champion to finish the regular season with less than 10 wins but in 2007 no one gave New York any chance of making the Super Bowl— never mind beating the undefeated— and 12-point favorites— New England Patriots.

Tuck, who has battled through a series of injuries throughout the season, says he is healthy now and—combined with Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul— give the Giants the best pass-rushing trio in the NFL.

Never one to be left out of the verbal mix, Giants running back Brandon Jacobs backed Tuck's bravado.

"I wouldn't want to face the New York Giants right now," said Jacobs.  "It's going to be tough to beat us in the playoffs."