The Obstructed NFC Wild Card Preview: New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
We come to the last of the Wild Card Previews and probably the one where most want to watch as two of the storied NFL teams get it on with the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers. Both teams have been pretty hot coming in where the Giants won 9 of their last 11 while Green Bay has taken their final 6 as quarterback Aaron Rodgers would say they would do. It also features the one team that has generated success in Lambeau in January against the Packers and that is the Giants, as they won there in 07 and 11, en route to two Super Bowls trophies. Revenge? Nah. But Green Bay will be tested for the first time in a while (c'mon Packer fans, beating mediocre teams in Houston, Minnesota, and Chicago while playing a Seattle squad away in Seattle while facing an overachieving Detroit team isn't necessarily a major gauntlet) so this game will be very interesting.
THE GIANTS WIN IF:
Green Bay's defense in the secondary is a mess.
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1. Eli takes advantage of the depleted Green Bay secondary. This alone is why I think New York will fare well in Lambeau. The wide receivers for New York are just too much of an issue for a Green Bay secondary that is depleted (and wasn't that great to begin with). Not that I am a big Chris Collinsworth fan, but he pointed out the right side of offenses against Green Bay are having their way last week. Had Detroit taken advantage of it better, this is a Giants/Lions matchup, but the Lions are the Lions. Plus, the Giants have Odell Beckham and, whether you like him or not, he is an absolute beast. He could have a monster game Sunday.
New York is giving quarterbacks fits lately.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
2. The Giants defense contains Rodgers. Having to contain Rodgers isn't necessarily easy by any means. That said, Rodgers did most of his damage against the Lions with his legs of escaping rushes and blitzes. Now if New York's front group applies pressure and gets Rodgers a few times (they are overall better than Detroit), Rodgers can get easily frustrated.
Rodgers can get angry at times and it has affected him this year.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
3. The Giants frustrate Rodgers. I've noticed that when Green Bay has struggled, notably Rodgers, he has been griping more and more towards referees, had issues with coaches, and seems like he is easily flustered. In this run Rodgers has been on, he hasn't been really frustrated much. New York is a team who can do that to Rodgers.
Nelson has been a key player in Green Bay's streak to the playoffs.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
4. Take Jordy Nelson out: Detroit in the first half last week had Nelson contained and fared well. It was the second half the Packers opened it up for Nelson. New York has to take Rodgers #1 option away from him as much as possible. If not, it could be a big problem Sunday for the G-Men.
THE PACKERS WIN IF:
Rodgers had good protection over the last few weeks.
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
1. They protect Rodgers. Simple as that. If the Giants dictate the line against Green Bay Sunday, I highly doubt Rodgers will have many issues in the game. But if they don't, we have seen Green Bay's offense go stagnant this year. And let's face it, I think Green Bay will have to win a shoot-out against the rest of the NFC at this point to advance. They just don't have a lot of defense at this point.
Eli can be ugly at times throwing the ball.
James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
2. Intercept Eli THREE times. Noticed I said three. Eli in playoff games lately has been as sound as you can come. It is when he is making mistakes all the grief and the problems arise for the younger Manning brother. They might get two turnovers, but it might not do the trick with the defense they have. They have got to come up with three and make New York pay for them. And Eli isn't one who is bothered by one interception in a game, and even two at times. It is that third one that sometimes gets him-and the team, taken out of the game.
Montgomery has been a key factor in the Packers run.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
3. Involve the backs. This is Aaron Ripkowski and Ty Montgomery. The running game has been strong when needed and have bullied defenses in this run. However, if New York strikes early and often, it will be interesting if Green Bay trusts Rodgers too much. Or if New York makes some key stops early on, if they will abandon ship on the run game. It is when the Packers lose they struggle on the ground.
Getting Odell mad makes him better.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
4. Do not go head to head with Odell or try to get in his head. Yes, Odell is a hothead. Anybody who watches football knows he is combustible. That said, he also plays well this way. Double teaming Beckham would be a good bet and have others like Victor Cruz try to beat the Packers. If you frustrate him, it is because you made him a non-factor. Don't try to get in his face or he will have his way with you the whole game.
MY PREDICTION: Obviously the Giants don't care about the Lambeau mystique or if a team is red hot. They've taken down Dallas twice. They took down Detroit who won 6 in a row. They put out Washington when the Giants had nothing to play for and the Skins had everything to play for. And they are a team that doesn't really get affected by crowds, weather, etc. That is why there are two Super Bowl rings. And Green Bay I think was fortunate to have a favorable schedule down the stretch to hide some holes, especially on defense. I don't think New York will make the same mistake as the Lions did and go away from exposing weaknesses of Green Bay. I do think Rodgers will play well, but New York will get some key stops in big moments while Eli will look like playoff Eli and play smart. I think the Giants are just overall better as a team. GIANTS 24, PACKERS 17
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
