EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (WTAQ) – The unexpected December drive for the Green Bay Packers will take them to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey Monday night for a giant sized contest against the New York Giants. It’ll kick off at 7:15 PM CST. The fact the Packers have played their way into post-season contention is one thing, bringing a 6-6 record to the Meadowlands against the 4-8 Giants, the rapid acceleration of Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s offense is quite another.
For a team that had difficulty picking up a first down much less scoring points early in games through September, they’ve been putting up points early and over 370 yards per game on average during their three game winning streak.
A young squad that might not know any better now finds itself in another big road test where they are a touchdown favorite.
These two teams have a rich history. Three of the Packers first eight NFL championships have come against the Giants including the first two under Vince Lombardi in 1961 and 1962. More recent history offered much more disappointing results as New York eliminated Mike McCarthy and Brett Favre’s Pack in the 2007 NFC title game at home and Eli Manning and company ruined Aaron Rodgers’ 15-1 regular season in the divisional round, also at Lambeau Field.
This mark’s my 13th trip to the Big Apple for the rivalry which has the Packers leading the all-time series 29-24-2 and a 5-3 playoff record.
New York made a surprising run to the playoffs a year ago under first year Head Coach Brian Daboll, racing out to a 6-1 start including the 27-22 victory over Green Bay last year in London. They stumbled to the finish at 9-7-1 but surprised the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round before getting routed by the eventual conference champion Philadelphia Eagles. This year’s team has been hit hard by injury, losing their top two quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor (who’s eligible to come off injured reserve), turning to undrafted rookie free agent Tommy DeVito. He’s played well as New York won both games before going into their bye weekend and now they’re coming off the bye to face a Packer team that believes they can keep the momentum rolling.
When the Packers have the ball.
Two key playmakers are likely going to be sitting this one out. Christian Watson has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury and even though he practiced last week, Aaron Jones is questionable off a sprained MCL and even if he does play for the first time since November 19 against the Chargers, he’ll likely be on a limited snap count.
The key for the Packers will be keeping Jordan Love upright and hanging on to the football. The Giants apply a lot of pressure with 39 sacks, Kayvon Thibodeaux has 11. The defense coordinated by Don “Wink” Martindale also has 19 takeaways, 12 interceptions and 7 fumble recoveries.
Green Bay’s offensive line has been up to the protection challenge of late, keeping Detroit’s Aiden Hutchinson and Kansas City’s Chris Jones, two premier edge rushers, in check. The Packers will need to lead on A.J. Dillon again for early down run success and someone else will have to provide some explosion downfield. That could be Dontayvion Wicks or perhaps Malik Heath who has made big plays in each of the past two games.
New York’s defense ranks 28th, giving up 364 yards per game and if the Packers can keep LaFleur’s play sheet in rhythm, they should be able to move the ball. Finishing in the red zone will make it very difficult for the Giants to keep pace.
When the Giants have the ball.
DeVito has been quite a story, making some plays in New York’s last two outings, wins over Washington and New England. He has a premier back in Saquon Barkley who ripped through Green Bay’s defense at Tottenham Hotspur stadium last fall. If Barkley is neutralized, New York has been feeble, ranking dead last on offense at 258 yards a game, 32nd and last at just 151 passing yards a game and next to last in points, putting 13.3 on average. Passing on tough down and distance situations has been a disaster as New York’s offensive line has surrendered a whopping 69 sacks already this year.
Jaire Alexander was a late, Sunday scratch (for the fifth straight game, 8th overall) because of his slow healing shoulder injury. The kid corner tandem of Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine will be matched up against Darius Slayton and young Wan’Dale Robinson.
If Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enegbare, Lukas Van Ness and a little timely pressure is applied up the middle, the Packers should be able to control the New York attack.
The bottom line.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst’s day care unit, loaded with so much youth, has grown up quickly this season. They’ve taken down two division leaders in a row and now must maintain that level of energy against a team they are expected to beat. I expect they will.
I like the Pack 27-16.
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