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Will the New York Giants' defensive pass rush sack the Packers' QB Brett Favre enough to win the game?

The Giants' pass D improved from 24th to 1st on QB sack yards, a huge percentile leap adding 5 1/2 points per game (PPG) to their scoring differential.

The league's most improved team on defensive QB sacks, sack yardage and percent sacks per play the Giants' D laid on opponent QBs heavier than a sub-prime mortgage.

But Packer QB Brett Favre was responsible for boosting TDs up from 24th to 4th adding a big 12 PPG.

The question in this week's NFC Championship game is: will the Giants' pass rush slow down QB Favre?

The stat graphic below pictures Favre's high-flying TD pace and its relationship to the Pack's scoring differential (winning margin). Coach Mike McCarthy pushed for a more controlled pass offense and Brett responded. Result? Fewer sacks and fewer interceptions.

Touchdowns Scored with Winning Margin
Yearly 2002 to 2007

Green Bay Packers

In season 2006 Packers ranked 24th on Touchdowns Scored at 2.00.
In season 2007 they ranked 7th at 3.06, up 6.92 points per game on this one stat.
From 2006 to 2007 Packers improved by 13.1 points per game on Winning Margin.

Now let's look at a picture of the Giants pass D. How did they do when first meeting the Pack in the season's 2nd week? QB Favre and the gang visited Giants Stadium where Brett kissed the ground once.

Opp QB Sacked
New York Giants
2007 through Week 17

The Giants' pass rush exploded in week 4 against the Eagles. But throughout the season they played 11 games at or below league average (light blue line).

If the two teams play to statistical form, Brett Favre is safe and will live to play another season.

Giants at Packers

Opp QB Sacked