The New York Giants could face several different opponents in Wild Card weekend. We break down the potential match-ups.
The New York Giants are locked into the fifth seed in the NFC heading into Week seventeen. After the Saints victory against Tampa Bay, New York knows it will face the fourth seed in the NFC, on the road, during Wild Card weekend.Who exactly will the Giants face? That question is still up in the air. New York can face any of the following four teams depending on how results in Week 17 go: the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, or Atlanta Falcons.
Which team would the Giants most like to play in the postseason? Which team will Ben McAdoo and Co. be praying to avoid? In this article, we will rank the four potential first round opponents, from the least favorable to the most favorable. While any of the four potential teams would be a tough task, especially on the road, it is obvious that some teams are more difficult to face than others.
Without further adieu, here is our definitive ranking of the teams the Giants could potentially face in the postseason. We’ll move from teams they’d least like to face and finish with the ideal first-round matchup.
4) Green Bay Packers
Five weeks ago, the Packers were practically eliminated from the playoffs. Following a Week eleven loss to the Redskins, the Packers would have to win out to make the postseason.
Fast forward five weeks and the Packers are 5-0 and control their own destiny. Heading into a Week 17 game at the Detroit Lions, a victory gives them the division.
While the Packers don’t have the best defense or a consistent running game, they have Aaron Rodgers, who has thrust himself into the MVP conversation while almost single-handedly carrying Green Bay to the postseason.
While the Giants have a terrific defense, Aaron Rodgers is genuinely the last player any team wants to face right now. Unfortunately, the likelihood of the Giants facing Rodgers and the Packers is higher than facing any other team. If the Packers beat the Lions, and the Seahawks beat the lowly 49ers, the Giants will be heading to Lambeau for the Wild Card Round.
The Giants have beaten the Packers twice in the postseason over the last decade, in the NFC Championship game in 2008 and the Divisional Round in 2012 (The Packers were 15-1 that year, the best record in the NFL). However, neither Packers team had a quarterback quite as hot as Rodgers, who has 11 touchdowns and no picks during Green Bay’s five-game win streak.
While it is the most likely scenario, playing Rodgers and the Pack is effectively the worst case scenario for Big Blue in Wild Card Weekend.
3) Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are probably the least likely option, considering all they need to do is beat the Saints to clinch a first round bye. The Falcons would have to lose, while the Seahawks and Lions would have to win in order for the Falcons to drop to four.
Regardless, the Falcons have had a terrific year. Quarterback Matt Ryan has been terrific, launching an MVP-caliber campaign despite several injuries to his receiving corps, and in particular superstar wideout Julio Jones. Six Falcons have led the team in receiving this season in a single game, showing how versatile their offense is, and how well Ryan adapts to injuries in his receiving corps.
The defense is also strong, led by linebacker Vic Beasley. The Falcons have struggled in recent playoffs, but their style of offense, which thrives on taking shots deep down the field, could match up well against a Giants offense designed to prevent short yardage pass plays.
The only reason the Falcons aren’t the least desirable team to face is their postseason track record, is the fact that they’ve lost three games at home this season, and because Matt Ryan is not as hot as Aaron Rodgers at the moment.
2) Seattle Seahawks
This might have seemed crazy at the beginning of the season, but a matchup with the Seahawks would be pretty favorable for the Giants. Seattle has been decimated by injuries on the offensive side of the ball, have lost three of their last five games, and arguably their best defensive player, Earl Thomas, is done for the season.
Tyler Lockett‘s broken leg is a huge hit for the Seahawks offense, who will be heavily reliant on Doug Baldwin and a banged up Jimmy Graham. This puts a lot of pressure on quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Thomas Rawls.
The Seahawks defense is still an elite unit at their best. Richard Sherman could be a nightmare matchup for Odell Beckham Jr. It’s also well known that Century Link Field is one of the hardest stadiums for opposing teams to play in.
However, it is clear that Seattle is limping into the postseason, and could present an easier challenge than Atlanta or Green Bay.
If the Seahawks lose to the 49ers, and the Falcons beat the Saints, the Giants will travel to Washington state for Wild Card weekend.
1) Detroit Lions
It’s no secret that the Giants would love to play the Lions in the first round. Detroit has lost two in a row, including a 17-6 loss to the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Detroit’s skid has allowed Green Bay to roar back into playoff contention.
Despite a strong season from Matthew Stafford, the Giants defense stifled the Lions offense in their Week 15 meeting, allowing just 6 points, and none in the fourth quarter. The offense struggled at times against the Lions defense, but was able to put 17 points on the board, including a spectacular one-handed Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown catch.
A Lions victory against the Packers on Sunday night, along with victories for both Seattle and Atlanta, would set up a Wild Card Weekend tilt between the Giants and Lions at Ford Field.
Obviously, there is no “easy” matchup for the Giants, who are going to be hitting the road for their postseason game. However, some opponents are more desirable than others, and it is clear that the Detroit Lions are certainly the most desirable opponent for the New York Giants during Wild Card Weekend.