NY Giants vs Green Bay Packers Preview

According to Mario Manningham’s Facebook status as of about 10am this morning,”current weather in Green Bay: 17 degrees with a windchill of 7.” Nothing like a normal playoff Sunday in Green Bay,Wisconsin. Some key Giant players have played in this exact atmosphere in 2008. Starting cornerback Corey Webster had a huge impact in that game. He intercepted a Brett Favre pass in OT that lead to the game winning FG by kicker Lawrence Tynes. DE’s Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora,LS Zack DeOssie, RB’s Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, LT David Diehl,RG Chris Snee, RT Kareem McKenzie, CB Aaron Ross and of course QB Eli Manning were also on the field that day. The Giants of that ’07 season were “road warriors”. They thrived on it. I believe that these players based on their play over the last month, sans the Washington game, can be road warriors too.

Big Blue’s defense needs to put up a better effort than they did against the Packers in their earlier matchup at MetLife Stadium. Aaron Rodgers was able to throw for 4 TD’s and led the Packers on a last minute drive to set up the game winning FG by Mason Crosby. Green Bay gained chunks of yardage which just can’t happen again. The defense was able to crash the pocket last week against the Falcons’ Matt Ryan. They must put Rodgers under duress. He is very mobile and accurate but if he is able to stand tall in the pocket his great accuracy goes up even more. Unlike Atlanta, the Green Bay running game isn’t threatening in and by itself. Former Giant draft pick RB Ryan Grant has seen increased duty and success in the Green Bay offense. Their receivers are among the best in the league,though starter Greg Jennings is coming off injury. Jordy Nelson is among the league leaders in receiving yardage and more importantly 3rd in TD’s with 15. TE Jermichael Finley and WR Donald Driver are also well within Rodgers’ comfort zone as far as pass targets. As stated before the GMen need to collapse the pocket and therefore take the QB’s eyes away from looking downfield.

Giant offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride’s offense had a little different yet familiar look against the Falcons. Emerging superstar WR Victor Cruz must’ve been getting a lot of attention from the Atlanta secondary because the much healthier WR Mario Manningham was heard from loud and clear. Not just the other WR Hakeem Nicks also had a tremendous impact. Returning TE wasn’t his usual self but did play and will be in there once again. RB’s Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw helped bring back a “thunder and lightning”-like running attack. If these offensive elements are there once again this week the GMen will be within striking distance of Green Bay for the whole game. I’m not taking anything away from the Packer defense who in my opinion will play much better than their stats indicate. DT BJ Raji can clog the middle of the line as LB’s Clay Matthews and AJ Hawk fly around the field making plays. CB Charles Woodson still can deliver a pick six.

I expect just as close a contest as there was a month ago between these teams. I just believe that with an effort like last week, the GMen have enough talent in all phases of the game to win. It’ll be another close one Giants 24 Packers 20.