Packers. After routing

EAST RUTHERFORD, N. Authentic Bruce Gradkowski Jersey .J. -- All the missing pieces -- defence and a running game -- are aligning at the right time for Eli Manning and the New York Giants. And just in time to play the Packers. After routing the Atlanta Falcons 24-2 Sunday in the NFC wild-card game, the Giants head to Green Bay next weekend, a place where they will need all the help they can muster. Manning carried the Giants (10-7) for much of the season, hoping the defence would get stingy, the pass rush would materialize and the running game would get on track. Now, all of that is happening. "A great mix of run and pass and these guys have a great understanding of what our offence is," Manning said of the help hes receiving. "If we can get that run game going like we did in the second half, that opens up a lot of windows." And if the defence remains impenetrable, watch out. "If we can play defence like that, we will continue to make ourselves heard in this tournament," coach Tom Coughlin said. Manning punctuated his best pro season by throwing for three touchdowns and scrambling for a 14-yard gain that woke up New Yorks offence in its first post-season victory since its Super Bowl upset of undefeated New England four years ago. Next up is as big a challenge: the defending champion Packers (15-1), who won here 38-35 in December. "We know they are a good team," Manning said. "We played them tough here, did some good things here, we scored some points. We know offensively we are going to have to play strong, score some points." The team that couldnt run the ball will be sprinting there, bringing along a defence the Packers actually might fear. Not to mention the passing offence led by Manning, who hooked up on a 72-yard catch and run by Hakeem Nicks in the third quarter that put away the inept Falcons (10-7). Manning also connected on a 4-yard TD with Nicks in the second period, and a 27-yard TD throw to Mario Manningham in the fourth quarter that finished it off. The Giants last post-season trip to frigid Lambeau Field was a 23-20 overtime victory for the NFC championship two weeks before they upset the Patriots. "Cold, I remember that. I remember coach Coughlins face. I remember (tackle) David Diehl sweating and it froze on his hair and he had icicles on his hair," defensive end Justin Tuck said. "And I remember us winning. "Hopefully, we can go back there and do it again." The tempo in the first playoff game at MetLife Stadium was set by New Yorks defence, which never allowed Atlanta to get going, and by the leagues lowest-ranked rushing game, which ran for a season-high 172 yards, 92 by Brandon Jacobs and 63 by Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants averaged 5.5 yards a carry, two yards more than in the regular season. For all of Jacobs and Bradshaws success, it was Mannings escape and 14-yard dash on third down in the second period that got the Giants rolling. Jacobs soon broke a 34-yard run, and Manning hit Nicks on a post pattern to put the Giants up 7-2. "I dont think anyone is game-planning for me to run the ball," Manning said, "but obviously there were a couple of situations where you have to do it. I am not scared of running to get a few yards." The Giants never really had to look back as the Falcons bumbled their way to their third straight playoff loss under coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan. "They did a great job of defending us, especially in the second half," veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez said. "That shouldnt happen to a team like we have. Were a lot better than this." New York was aided greatly by Atlantas penchant for gambling on fourth downs -- and failing. Twice the Giants stymied the Falcons on fourth-and-1 as Ryans sneaks went nowhere. The defence also stopped Michael Turner, supposedly the most effective runner on the field, on a third-and-inches late in the third period. "That really inspired everybody, to be honest with you," Coughlin said. "Those plays that our defence made really inspired everybody. Atlanta missed on a fourth-down try in overtime that cost the Falcons a game against New Orleans during the season. While they negated New Yorks recently revitalized pass rush for much of the day, the Falcons couldnt gain any traction on the ground, being held to 64 yards rushing. "Our defence played great, kept us in the lead," Manning said. Other than some sporadic movement, Atlantas offence was incompetent -- particularly in short yardage. "Its less than a yard, less than half of a yard. Its a play we go through all the time," Smith said. "I felt it was the right play both times, but we didnt execute. We should be able to move the ball there." Both offences sputtered in the first half with an assortment of penalties, drops and poor throws. When the Falcons wheeled out the no-huddle offence, though, they marched from their 10 to a fourth-and 1 at the New York 24. On the first play of the second quarter, Ryan was stacked up on his sneak. But it turned out positively for the Falcons anyway. Giants guard Chris Snee was called for holding, and, from his 13, Manning was pressured back into the end zone by James Sanders. He threw the ball away to avoid the sack, resulting in a safety. New York had its own fourth-and-inches run on its first touchdown drive. Jacobs ran over safety Thomas DeCoud on the play from the Atlanta six-yard line. Nicks caught his post pattern over Dominique Franks, the fill-in for injured cornerback Brent Grimes, to make it 7-2. Notes: It was the first time a team scored exactly two points in an NFL post-season game. ... The Giants most recent home playoff victory was a 41-0 rout of Minnesota for the 2000 NFC title. ... Atlantas last playoff win was in 2005 over St. Louis when Michael Vick still was the Falcons quarterback. ... Ryan was 24 for 41 for 199 yards and was sacked twice. .. There were no turnovers in the game. ... Giants CB Aaron Ross and RB D.J. Ware left with concussions. ... Gonzalez is 0-5 in playoff games in his 15-year career. Brice McCain Pittsburgh Steelers .C. -- Gary Players upcoming ceremonial drive is the latest Masters honour in a career filled with them. David DeCastro Pittsburgh Steelers . He missed a three-game series against New York this week after suffering the injury last Sunday while trying to leg out a base hit during a game in Cincinnati.BALTIMORE -- The Texas Rangers finally ran out of patience with left-hander Joe Saunders, who was designated for assignment Tuesday after going winless in eight starts. Saunders gave up four homers and seven runs in five innings on Monday night in a 7-1 loss to the Orioles. That left him 0-5 with a 6.13 ERA. "I just dont think its worked out to his liking and we just wanted to try something new and different at this point," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Saunders to the minor leagues. But it appears likely his time with Texas is over. "It was something we discussed, and we felt like it was best we go in another direction," manager Ron Washington said. "We appreciate everything Joe done. He was a pro. Sometimes, things just doesnt work out." The Rangers (37-5) had lost 10 of 12 through Monday and were mired in fourth place in the AL West, 14 games behind division-leading Oakland. So instead of waiting to see if the 33-year-old Saunders could break his extended slump, Texas recalled 25-year-old Miles Mikolas from Triple-A Round Rock. Although Levine labeled Mikolas "a work in progress," he said and the right-hander will start Wednesday at Baltimore and become part of the starting rotation. Mikolas was 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 16 games, including six starts, for Round Rock. He entered the year with just 11 career starts at the minor league leevel, all in 2009, his first professional season. Authentic John Stallworth Jersey. But Mikolas was 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA after joining the Express rotation on May 30. So the Rangers bid farewell to Saunders and welcomed Mikolas to the big leagues. "It just so happens we have a starting pitcher at Triple-A who our manager and Triple-A pitching coach are highly recommending we give a chance at the big league level," Levine said. "So I think those two paths cross and we decided to make this move at this point." Saunders signed with Texas on March 5 and was given a job in the starting rotation on March 25, but he went on the 15-day disabled list after one start and did not return until May 28. He never got in a groove after that. Including Mondays outing in Baltimore, Saunders yielded 20 runs in 15 2-3 innings over his last three starts. "They have been miserable," he acknowledged. "Its tough man." Saunders owns an 89-86 lifetime record and made the AL All-Star team in 2008. He broke into the majors with the Los Angeles Angels in 2005 and also pitched for Arizona, Baltimore and Seattle before latching on with the Rangers. "He tried out with us in spring training this year, and he had strong beliefs that he could help us win major league games," Levine said. "I think what he ended up doing is he came in and gave us some very valuable innings. He also has been a consummate professional since hes been here." ' ' '