Packers vs. Giants: Preview, Keys to Victory, Prediction
Preview
New York Giants (2-2) at Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Fresh off a bye-week, the Green Bay Packers host the Giants at Lambeau Field for a “Sunday Night Football” showdown. The Giants look to rebound from their disappointing performance against the Vikings, while the Packers hope to build on their Week 3 win over the Lions. Let’s take a look at keys to the game and give a prediction.
Game Info
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Lambeau Field/Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV: NBC
Radio: WFAN AM 660, WFAN FM 101.9
Post-game: Immediately after game on MSG
Injuries
The Giants and Packers each head into Sunday’s game banged up on both sides of the ball.
According to the Giants’ Twitter Page: RB Rashad Jennings (Thumb), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Groin), CB Eli Apple (Hamstring), DE Olivier Vernon (Wrist) were all limited in practice Thursday.
FS Darian Thompson (Foot), FS Nat Berhe (Concussion), TE Larry Donnell (Concussion), OT Marshall Newhouse (Calf) did not participate in practice.
According to Aaron Nagler of Packers News: LB Clay Matthews (Ankle/Hamstring), CB Damarious Randall (Groin), DT Letroy Guion (Knee) were all limited in practice Thursday.
TE Jared Cook (Ankle), CB Sam Shields (Concussion) did not participate in practice.
Odds
Spread: Packers -7.5
Money Line: GB -340, NY +280
Over/Under: 48
Giants’ Keys to Victory
Get the Ball in the Hands of Playmakers
Last week, the Giants’ three-headed monster of Beckham, Cruz and Shepard combined for just 12 catches and 103 yards. All eyes will be on Odell Beckham, Jr., whose controversy this week has reached Vatican City. With the Packers allowing 307.3 passing yards per game and CB Sam Shields unavailable, the Giants must exploit a weak secondary and get the ball into the hands of their star receivers.
Pass Rush
The Giants come into this game tied for a league worst four sacks, according to ESPN. After failing to sack Bradford last week, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo will need to get creative against Aaron Rodgers. With the secondary thin, the Giants have to cautiously choose when to blitz. Should the front four get enough pressure, Spagnoulo can use different looks to help his secondary.
Play Disciplined
The Giants have already turned the ball over nine times this season. To make matters worse, the team only has one takeaway, which came on a blocked field goal against New Orleans. One of the keys for the Giants is to protect the football. Another one of the keys is to eliminate self-enforced turnovers; something they failed to do against Minnesota. Penalties have also plagued the Giants, as they have committed 19 in the last two weeks alone. The Giants cannot afford any mental mishaps on the road against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
Prediction
The Giants have experienced success on big stages at Lambeau Field before. Memories of the 2007 NFC Championship and 2011 NFC Division games come to mind.
With so much attention directed at the team’s handling of Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants will look to quiet their critics against the Packers.
Even if a few defensive backs return to action Sunday, the Giants’ secondary faces a tough task against Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Picking against Aaron Rodgers at home in a prime time game against a decimated secondary is hard to do.
The game will be closer than the spread suggests, but the Packers will pull away in the fourth quarter.