Victory Gives Packers Home-Ice Advantage

The Green Bay Packers got just what they wanted Sunday--the right to open the playoffs next week against San Francisco at frigid Lambeau Field.

The Packers’ 34-25 victory over the New York Giants, whose Michael Strahan broke the single-season sacks record, assured Green Bay a first-round home game against the 49ers.

“This is a big advantage for us, but we don’t think they are going to come in and bow down,” safety Darren Sharper said. “They have the same record as us, so they are just as good a team as us. But the fact we are playing at home might put some things in their minds.”

The one thing the 49ers have to know is that the Packers (12-4) have never lost a playoff game at Lambeau Field, where they were 7-1 in the regular season.

The Packers also are playing well, having won their last three and six of seven.

The only thing they gave away against the Giants was Strahan’s record.

Brett Favre changed a play at the line of scrimmage with less than three minutes to play and was sacked on a rollout, giving Strahan 221/2 sacks for the season.

“Guys were upset that he was able to get the sack,” Packer receiver Antonio Freeman said. “I was telling them if there is anyone in the NFL that deserves it, it’s him.”

Before he fell down on the sack, Favre threw two touchdown passes and Ahman Green scored on runs of 25 yards and one yard.

The loss ended a season in which New York (7-9) missed the playoffs one year after playing in the Super Bowl. The only bright spot was Strahan breaking Mark Gastineau’s record of 22 sacks with 2:42 to play.

The only thing that prevented the Packers from having a perfect day was the Bears. Chicago (13-3) won the NFC Central by defeating Jacksonville, 33-13.

Had the Bears lost, the Packers would have won the division and gotten an extra week off with their win. Instead, they’ll play the 49ers.

“Home field is big,” Packer center Mike Flanagan said. “They have to come to our place, to cold weather and our fans.”

The Packers needed only seven plays to score touchdowns on their first two possessions.

Favre, who completed 15 of 30 passes for 315 yards, connected with Bill Schroeder for a 26-yard touchdown on the Packers’ fourth play. Sharper’s interception got the ball back, and Green (23 carries, 101 yards) scored on a 25-yard run.

New York got within 14-10 on Kerry Collins’ eight-yard touchdown pass to Ike Hilliard and a 27-yard field goal by Morten Andersen following a 61-yard run by Ron Dayne early in the second quarter.

But Green Bay blew the game open with 17 third-quarter points.

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Loss Leader

New York Giant defensive end Michael Strahan broke Mark Gastineau’s NFL record for sacks in a season on Sunday:

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Sacks Player Team Season 22.5 Michael Strahan New York Giants 2001 22.0 Mark Gastineau New York Jets 1984 21.0 Reggie White Philadelphia 1987 21.0 Chris Doleman Minnesota 1989 20.5 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants 1986

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