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Giants (3-1) Packers (3-1)
Last week the Packers had to come from behind
to force the game into overtime. The clock went down to the final seconds when
they kicked a field goal to give them a 27-24 win over the New England Patriots.
The
Giants managed to maintain their lead over Chicago despite injuries to both their
quarterbacks in the second half. They finished up with a 20-12 win.
Green Bay Packers
The NFC North division
title has gone to the Green Bay Packers the last three years running. They are
currently tied for the top spot with the Minnesota Vikings, who beat them in the
opening game of the season. Green Bay has a tough schedule ahead of them. Aside
from the teams they'll be playing, after this next game with the Giants in London,
they play eight more games before they hit their bye week.
The last time the
Packers won a Super Bowl was with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2010. They have
missed being in the playoffs only twice since then. In the offseason the Packers
gave Rodgers a new contract extension paying just over $150 million in the next
three years. The first two years are fully guaranteed for $101.5 million.
Green Bay Packers Offense
It all starts with Aaron Rodgers who was named an NFL MVP for the fourth time
in his career. Last season he threw 37 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions. It's
surprising that this year he's thrown an interception in three of the four games
played. That includes last week against New England where one was returned for
a touchdown. Rodgers is certainly missing Davante Adams, who last year had 123
catches for 1,553 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
In the second round of the draft,
the Packers picked up speedy wideout Christian Watson, who had a 15-yard touchdown
run last game. So far Rodgers has thrown 129 passes, and his biggest target has
been to Romeo Doubs, who's pulled in 19 for 184 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Allen
Lazard also has 2 touchdowns, and 11 of his 12 catches have gone for first downs.
Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are dependable running backs who can also catch the
ball. Jones ran for 116 yards last week, and has averaged over 6.5 yards per carry
in three of the four games played. They are trending ahead of last year's total
yards mark, and their combined efforts with Rodgers has the team ranking sixth
in the NFL over these four games in total offense. Green
Bay Packers Defense
The
Packers fielded a top ten defense against both the pass and the run in 2021. That
didn't stop them from drafting two defensive players with their first two picks
in the draft. Linebacker Rashan Gary led the team in sacks, pressures, knockdowns,
and hurries. Gary already has 5 sacks and 6 quarterback hits in four games. This
defense currently ranks first in the NFL in third-down conversion percentage,
and opponents are 0-for-21 converting 3-and-8 or longer against them. Overall,
the Packers have allowed just 10 third-down conversions on 42 attempts..
To
get an edge on this defense, opponents have to be able to run the ball, and things
have slipped in this defensive area. The Packers
are giving up 4.8 yards per carry on first down, and 6.1 yards per carry on second
down. Obviously, they know they need to contain Saquon Barkley, and are aware
that the Giants are one of the league's top five teams when it comes to rushing
attempts. The Giants have announced that backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor (concussion)
is out. The Packers will have to research Davis Webb who was activated from the
practice squad, in the event he plays if Daniel Jones has to leave the game. NY
Giants Offense
The Giants offense was a
bit off balance last week. Even before the injures to quarterbacks Daniel Jones
and Tyrod Taylor in the second half, there wasn't much of a passing attack. Sauqon
Barkley ran for 146 yards on 31 carries, and now has run for 100 or more yards
for the 14th time in his career including twice in two games this year. Barkley
currently leads the NFL with 463 rushing yards, and 570 yards from scrimmage
Considering
the quarterback situation, the Giants will be looking for him to keep it going
in this game against the Packers.
With wide receiver skill and talent at a
low due to injuries, Jones was effective running the ball, and he did so six times
for 68 yards, and scored two touchdowns. The tight ends, rookie Danie Bellinger,
and veterans Chris Myarick and Tanner Hudson, have been proving their worth. There's
been solid blocking for the running game, which last week was a season high 262
rushing yards. They have also combined for 13 catches on 16 passes for 205 yards,
and 2 touchdowns.
Head coach Brian Daboll will have to make some hard decisions.
Jones mobility is necessary, as the offensive line has been average at best in
pass protection. If Jones can't sprint around, and sometimes take advantage of
easy running yards as he has, he might not be the best quarterback to have on
the field against the Packers pass rush. With Taylor out, Davis Webb would be
the backup, and Webb has never thrown an NFL regular season pass.
Giants Defense
They
came up big last week when the Giants really needed it. With Tyrod Taylor suddenly
sidelined by a concussion, and Daniel Jones returning in a limited quarterback
role, handing the ball off because of his ankle injury, the defense had to bring
it. In the fourth quarter, Tae Crowder was involved in two big defensive stops
on third-and-short plays that forced the Bears to punt. Crowder had a season-high
11 tackles that included a sack, another quarterback hit, and a forced fumble.
Overall the Giants came up with six sacks, Defensive lineman Dexter Lawerence
had two, and the defense forced three fumbles,
The Giants know that running
backs AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones will be coming at them. Maybe more so than would
be expected in light of how Aaron Rodgers struggled in the first half of his game
last week, completing just four passes while also throwing an interception that
was returned for a touchdown. Rodgers is still figuring out who he can trust when
he plans his throws. The Packers have been moving the ball well, but are averaging
about seven points less a game than they did last year.
The Giants, despite
their injuries, are in the top ten in points allowed. Defensive lineman Leonard
Williams had returned to practice, and could play Sunday. The Giants also just
signed safety Landon Collins, though likely too late for this game. Back in 2016
the Giants defeated the Los Angeles Rams 17-10 in London, thanks to a pick six
by Collins. It should be noted that the Giants are the only NFL team without an
interception this season. Overall
Not many expected to see the Giants at 3-1
after the first four games of the season, and yet here they are about to go face
to face with the 3-1 Green Bay Packers. The Giants are the visiting team, but
what better place to visit the Packers, than the neutral atmosphere of London
compared to Lambeau Field? The Packers have never played a game overseas, and
the Giants have done so twice, and won both games. The Packers are listed as heavy
favorites, but who knows which way the jet-lag will swing? NFC
East Games
Sunday at 1:00pm Titans (2-2)
at Commanders (1-3).
Sunday at 4:25pm Cowboys (3-1) at Rams (2-2).
Sunday
at 4:25pm Eagles (4-0) at Cardinals (2-2).
The Eagles are the only NFC East
team favored to win in these games.
Check out.
Giants
On The Air. Listen to the Radio Broadcasts.
TeamGiants on Twitter.
Next Games
Oct
16 Ravens at Giants
Oct 23 Giants at Jaguars
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