The New York Giants find themselves in another tough spot in Week 5; they need a victory against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
- New York Giants (2-2)
- Green Bay Packers (3-0)
- NFL, Week 5, Sunday, Oct. 9, 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC
- Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Series History: NYG is 26-31-2 (9-14)
- Last: NYG (H) 27, GB 13, 11/17/2013
Mired in Odell Beckham Jr. headlines and needing a win last week, they drew the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. After that prime-time defeat, a slumping offense must prepare to match Aaron Rodgers and the also undefeated Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
Big Blue’s high-priced defense has taken a beating too as of late. They’ve cooled off after a strong start, but they’re also without their first-team secondary. Not only are injuries adding up, the defense is on the field too often. The offense has yet to play a turnover-free game this season and they’ve been hammered in time of possession, 34-26 on average, as a result.
There’s no time for finger pointing, though, not with Rodgers looming. Dual threat QBs are becoming more of a regular thing, but he may be the prototype. He has, arguably, the NFL’s best arm and runs when he wants to- not because of anything he lacks.
Green Bay’s isn’t too shabby on the other side of the ball either. Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion anchor the NFL’s best run defense, allowing only 42.7 yards per game.
Injury Report
- Marshall Newhouse, RT – Out (calf)
- Nat Berhe, S – Out (concussion)
- Larry Donnell, TE – Out (concussion)
- Darian Thompson, S – Out (foot)
- Eli Apple, CB – questionable (hamstring)
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB – questionable (groin)
- Rashad Jennings, RB – questionable (thumb)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie looks likely to play. According to James Kratch of NJ.com, he said the difference from last week to now was “night and day.”
Backup DT Robert Thomas got in a full practice Friday and isn’t listed on the injury report for the first time all season. Depth on the defensive line is invaluable, as the Giants will need another fresh body to throw at Packers’ RB Eddie Lacy.
Eli Apple and Rashad Jennings have been limited in practice all week and look like true game-time decisions.
Packers’ top CB Sam Shields (concussion) won’t play, a huge loss against the Giants talented receiving trio.
Damarious Randall would match-up with Odell Beckham Jr., but he’s questionable (groin) as well. TE Jared Cook (ankle) won’t play.
LB Clay Matthews (ankle/hamstring) was limited in practice all week but is expected to play without limitations.
Giants Keys To Victory
Protect The Football:
You’d have to go back to their October 25, 2015, victory over the Dallas Cowboys to find the last time the Giants didn’t turn the ball over. They’ve committed turnovers in 13 straight games since (they’re 4-9 in those games).
The Packers’ secondary isn’t quite as banged up as theirs, but it’s close. The Giants will have an opportunity to get the ball down the field, granted they finally choose to do so. Sustained drives end in points and allow the defense to catch their breath. Don’t give the ball away, you always have shot.
Take Chances In The Passing Game:
Eli Manning averaged 5.8 yards per attempt last week at Minnesota. It isn’t enough. The offense stayed in 3rd-and-long most of the night and could only produce 10 points.
OBJ wants the ball more and Ben McAdoo and Mike Sullivan have to make sure he gets it. Beckham Jr. has to make sure he “gets it” and avoid unnecessary confrontations and penalties.
Sterling Shepard needs more opportunities down the field as well. When his number is called, he makes plays. Call his number more often. He, Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz could have a field day with the Packers’ CBs, especially if Randall is out or banged up. It’s said every week, but here it is again: Eli has to take his shots.
Create Turnovers:
The Giants defense is the only one in the entire league who’ve yet to record a takeaway. That doesn’t mean they aren’t playing well. They weren’t good last week, or late against Washington, but they’ve done a reasonable job given the situations the offense has put them in.
That said, $200 million doesn’t buy reasonable and reasonable isn’t enough to contain Aaron Rodgers. To win, they’ll need to get the offense an extra possession or two. Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon have to ignite the non-existent pass rush for that to happen. If Rodgers has the time Sam Bradford had last week, Green Bay could hang 40 on the G-Men.
Prediction: New York Giants 24, Green Bay Packers 31
The Giants need a win badly, even worse than they did last week, but it’s hard to envision them beating the Packers in Green Bay. They still have questions about the offense, questions at running back and questions in the defensive backfield.
Rodgers dropping back without being pressured and looking at a second-team secondary is a scary thought. Green Bay will no doubt target Trevin Wade if, or when he’s in the game. Andrew Adams will definitely be there, and he’s probably the weak link at safety in pass coverage. Standing beside Landon Collins, that’s a major concern.
The Giants will be aggressive early on and should respond well to the adversity they’ve faced since Beckhamnet. Still, it won’t be enough to defeat the 3-0 Packers.