NFL Playoffs | Chiefs Last Minute Push
The Packers opened as3.5-point favorites over theGiants in next Sunday"s Wild Card round matchup (4:40 p.m., FOX). The line is warranted because the Packers are home, have won six straight games,beat the Giants earlier this season and are led by brilliant quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
But the Giants were bigger underdogs in both the 2007 and 2011 playoffs when they went into Lambeau Field and upset the Packers en route to Super Bowl titles. If you"re looking for a reason why the Giants will pull off the playoff hat trick at Lambeau, start in their defensive backfield.
Rodgers" mobility makes it difficult to disrupt the Packers" passing attack with pressure. If anything, Rodgers is more dangerous when he extends plays and gets outside the pocket.
Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo exercised caution when attacking Rodgers in the Packers" 23-16 win when the teams met at Lambeau Field in Week 5. The Giants only blitzed the Packers on nine of their 50 passing plays (18 percent), according to Pro Football Focus. The NFL average to blitz is around 30 percent.
Packers scouting report
The key against Green Bay is coverage. The Packers have an arsenal of receiving weapons, led by big-play threat Jordy Nelson, who had 97 catches for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Nelson is complemented by Davante Adams (75 catches for 997 yards and 12 touchdowns) and Randall Cobb, who missed the final two games of the regular season with an ankle injury.
Matching up with Green Bay"s talented receivers is a challenge that the Giants are better equipped to handle than most teams. The Giants have three cornerbacks playing at a high level, led by Pro Bowler Janoris Jenkins, who was slowed by a bruised back late in the regular season. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie led the team with six interceptions, including four in the final three games of the regular season. Rookie Eli Apple has been solid despite the occasional growing pains.
Rodgers-Cromartie"s role as the nickel corner is particularly important against a Green Bay offense that moves Nelson into the slot in an attempt to exploit mismatches. The Giants held Nelson to four catches for 38 yards and one touchdown in the meeting earlier this season.
Cobb was the bigger problem in that matchup with nine catches for 108 yards, while Adams added five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. It was still a solid showing by the Giants" defense, as they held Rodgers to 23-of-45 passing for 259 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions (both by Jenkins).
The Giants" secondary is better now than it was in the first meeting whenApple was limited to seven snaps by a groin injury and Rodgers-Cromartie essentially played on one leg as he battled through a groin injury.
Leon Hall, who has since moved to free safety, struggled to cover Cobb in the slot, while rookie Michael Hunter, who is now on the practice squad, was beat for a touchdown by Adams. The Giants have since added Coty Sensabaugh to join Trevin Wade as additional options at slot corner in sub packages.
Stopping Rodgers is a nearly impossible task, but the Giants have the pieces to contain the MVP candidate. If the defensive backs are up to the task, the Giants will leave Lambeau with another happy memory.
Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.
Source: http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2017/01/nfl_playoffs_why_the_giants_can_beat_the_packers.html
