The table is set for the New York Giants (9–5)—to defeat the Green Bay Packers (8–6) this Sunday at Lambeau Field, and they’re in the playoffs.
Should they lose, they will have to beat the Washington Redskins on the road, and hope the Chicago Bears beat the Packers in Week 17. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8–6) could also have a say in matters. With such uncertainty, the Giants would much prefer to take care of business this week and be done with it.
While the Giants are coming off a crushing home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, in which they gave up 28 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, the Packers are also reeling after a disappointing loss in New England. Both teams are well aware of the stakes for this Sunday’s matchup.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is confident that his group has put last week’s disastrous meltdown behind them and is focusing on Green Bay. He said on www.giants.com, “I expect our team to be ready to go and be excited about the opportunity and realize the situation we’re in and what’s on the table for us.”
Eli Manning, who held a players-only meeting on Monday, is also feeling the same way, “We’ve done a good job of overcoming some things earlier in the year and throughout the year, so we should be able to come out and play a good football game.
“The last game is over with.”
Against Green Bay’s highly rated defense (second overall in allowing 15.7 points per game, seventh overall in allowing 309.4 yards per game, and 40 sacks), Manning must account for their talented secondary including All-Pro cornerback Charles Woodson.
The Pack’s corners are strong in coverage and give their defense time to get after the quarterback. Other notables on their “D” are linebacker Clay Matthews (13 sacks) and nose tackle B.J Raji who is stout against the run.
Manning knows what to expect. He said, “They get a lot of coverage sacks because their corners are good at covering things up. They have their defensive line, and their ends are good also. They’re tops in the NFL in total defense and so we have our hands full and we have to play really well.”
Regardless of the Packers having the third best passing defense, their 19th ranked rushing defense (allowing 117 yards per game) could be exploited by the Giants fifth-ranked rushing offense (144.9 yards per game) if New York gets going.
Giants running back Brandon Jacobs spoke about the matchup, “If you’re going to win, you have to get the running game going no matter what week it is and no matter what’s at stake. I have a lot of confidence in the guys in this room, and a lot of confidence in our offensive line to get the job done.”
This game will not be easy for New York; especially considering that starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers (concussion) practiced on Wednesday and is clear to play. Rodgers, who leads the ninth best passing offense in the league, is an extremely talented pocket passer with good receivers to work with—Greg Jennings, Donald Drivers, and James Jones.
The Giants second-ranked passing defense (allowing 188.4 yards per game) must do its best to contain the Packers trio of gifted receivers while the front seven must put plenty of pressure on Rodgers and not allow him to pick apart their secondary.
Other reasons to worry if you’re the Giants—the Packers are 5–1 at home and will be playing for survival in front of a raucous home crowd.
Despite it all, coach Coughlin feels his team is set to go. He commented, “In this day and age everyone is aware of exactly what is at stake, so it’s very honest and very straightforward to express that and to make players aware of it. They are aware of it, and it'll be a playoff atmosphere.
“Both teams are striving to do the very best they can and put their team in position to be in the playoffs.”
Game time is set for 4:15 p.m. EST on Sunday.
Should they lose, they will have to beat the Washington Redskins on the road, and hope the Chicago Bears beat the Packers in Week 17. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8–6) could also have a say in matters. With such uncertainty, the Giants would much prefer to take care of business this week and be done with it.
While the Giants are coming off a crushing home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, in which they gave up 28 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, the Packers are also reeling after a disappointing loss in New England. Both teams are well aware of the stakes for this Sunday’s matchup.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is confident that his group has put last week’s disastrous meltdown behind them and is focusing on Green Bay. He said on www.giants.com, “I expect our team to be ready to go and be excited about the opportunity and realize the situation we’re in and what’s on the table for us.”
Eli Manning, who held a players-only meeting on Monday, is also feeling the same way, “We’ve done a good job of overcoming some things earlier in the year and throughout the year, so we should be able to come out and play a good football game.
“The last game is over with.”
Against Green Bay’s highly rated defense (second overall in allowing 15.7 points per game, seventh overall in allowing 309.4 yards per game, and 40 sacks), Manning must account for their talented secondary including All-Pro cornerback Charles Woodson.
The Pack’s corners are strong in coverage and give their defense time to get after the quarterback. Other notables on their “D” are linebacker Clay Matthews (13 sacks) and nose tackle B.J Raji who is stout against the run.
Manning knows what to expect. He said, “They get a lot of coverage sacks because their corners are good at covering things up. They have their defensive line, and their ends are good also. They’re tops in the NFL in total defense and so we have our hands full and we have to play really well.”
Regardless of the Packers having the third best passing defense, their 19th ranked rushing defense (allowing 117 yards per game) could be exploited by the Giants fifth-ranked rushing offense (144.9 yards per game) if New York gets going.
Giants running back Brandon Jacobs spoke about the matchup, “If you’re going to win, you have to get the running game going no matter what week it is and no matter what’s at stake. I have a lot of confidence in the guys in this room, and a lot of confidence in our offensive line to get the job done.”
Rodgers Should Play
This game will not be easy for New York; especially considering that starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers (concussion) practiced on Wednesday and is clear to play. Rodgers, who leads the ninth best passing offense in the league, is an extremely talented pocket passer with good receivers to work with—Greg Jennings, Donald Drivers, and James Jones.
The Giants second-ranked passing defense (allowing 188.4 yards per game) must do its best to contain the Packers trio of gifted receivers while the front seven must put plenty of pressure on Rodgers and not allow him to pick apart their secondary.
Other reasons to worry if you’re the Giants—the Packers are 5–1 at home and will be playing for survival in front of a raucous home crowd.
Despite it all, coach Coughlin feels his team is set to go. He commented, “In this day and age everyone is aware of exactly what is at stake, so it’s very honest and very straightforward to express that and to make players aware of it. They are aware of it, and it'll be a playoff atmosphere.
“Both teams are striving to do the very best they can and put their team in position to be in the playoffs.”
Game time is set for 4:15 p.m. EST on Sunday.
Friends Read Free