As usual with me, it comes down to defense. Baltimore's defense will check the Raiders' offense here. The Giants' defense, No. 16 in the league against the pass, won't be good enough to stop Daunte Culpepper, Cris Carter, Robert Smith and the incomparable Randy Moss in the Meadowlands. The NFC championship game is one of those where the critical matchups are completely obvious to everybody. Cornerbacks Jason Sehorn and Dave Thomas, and safeties Sam Garnes and Shaun Williams are each 6 feet 2 or 6-3.
Size does make a difference.
Unfortunately for the Giants, so does speed. Moss and Carter have it, the Giants' defensive backs do not. Vikings Coach Dennis Green said last week Moss runs a 4.15 in the 40-yard dash at top speed. That would make him the fastest man to ever wear an NFL uniform, a half step faster than Darrell Green. Not only that, but the Giants' defense can't lock in on any one player the way they did on Philly's Donovan McNabb last weekend.