SnotapWI Packers Preview: Green Bay vs. New York

For a while, the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants had a rivalry going between the two teams. Packers and Giants paved a few moments in each teams’ history. 2008 featured Brett Favre throwing an interception in the NFC Championship leading to a Giants’ Super Bowl win. In 2010, Green Bay destroyed New York at home as they started their run to the Super Bowl in late December. In 2011, New York got their revenge beating 15-1 Green Bay, and they would take down New England in the Super Bowl. Packers’ last matchup with New York was a playoff win was against Giants who decided to get on a boat to celebrate before getting their asses kicked at Lambeau.
THREE STORYLINES TO WATCH
1. Time for the defense to stand up – We talked about the defense earlier this week, and it holds true. Green Bay needs to have a dominant defensive performance. Giants are terrible offensively, and they’re missing a few of their key players. No Evan Engram, no Golden Tate, and a banged-up Saquon Barkley. Packers need to lay down the throttle and give Daniel Jones absolutely nothing. My expectations are high for this Packers’ defense despite their struggles and if they let me down, we have some things to talk about next week.
2. Aaron Rodgers wants to get hot – Rodgers mentioned this week that he wanted to get ‘hot’ down the stretch. This is a good game to do it. Giants’ pass defense is one of the worst in the National Football League. Janoris Jenkins is washed and Davante Adams should have a big day. I’m curious to see where Rodgers distributes the football. Much and probably too much has been made about the Rodgers/Adams dependency. We’ll see if that continues or if things are spread out to people’s liking.
3. Can JK Scott fix his punting issues? – There are many in need of a bounce-back spot, and JK Scott might need the biggest one. He’s been terrible for the last few games. And the Packers need him to be average at the very least. Who knows what has happened with Scott. This is not the ideal stadium to fix your punting issues with the swirling winds at MetLife, but you need to work through that. Packers cannot keep sacrificing field position because of bad punting.
PREDICTED PLAYER OF THE GAME
Jaire Alexander – I’m making a call here that Jones is a turnover machine, and this will lead to pick-six at some point. I’m giving that to Alexander. He had a couple of close ones this season but hasn’t been able to bring it home. Alexander getting a pick-six will be a sign that the rout will be on at MetLife.
PREDICTION
I’ve said all week that if the Packers are a Super Bowl contender, they’ll kick the Giants’ ass by 10 or more points. Still, I believe Green Bay will dominate this game. Giants are missing way too many good bodies. Packers should be feeling good on Sunday afternoon. Green Bay 35 New York 10
Charlie.