New York Giants (9-5) at Green Bay Packers (8-6), 4:15 Eastern at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
By Ben Kelly - InReeseWeTrust.com 12/26/10
What happened last week?
Green Bay fought New England to the final seconds but were done in by the inexperience of quarterback Matt Flynn, who played in place of the concussed Aaron Rodgers. Flynn performed exceptionally well in his first career start, tossing 3 touchdowns and 251 yards in the 31-27 road loss, but the Pats capitalized on his inexperience on the final play when a Patriots linebacker sacked Flynn at the New England 15-yard line. The Packers outgained New England 369-249, but allowed three big plays that kept New England in the game despite a sluggish offensive performance. A 33 yard touchdown scamper by Patriot back BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the first quarter, a 71 yard kick return to inside the ten yard line by Patriots offensive lineman Dan Connolly just before halftime, and a pick-six by defensive back Kyle Arrington on Green Bay’s first drive of the second half all helped New England to an unconventional win.
What to expect from the Packers:
Aaron Rodgers returns to action after missing last week with his second concussion of the season. Green Bay’s backup quarterback led his team to the final seconds against a New England team that laid its claim as the NFL’s best by thrashing its two pervious opponents by a combined 81-10. The Pack are 1-3 in their last four games, but return to Lambeau with a healthy Aaron Rodgers and a 5-1 home record on the season. In Rodgers’ past four complete games, he conducted an offense that averaged 404 yards per game and threw for over 275 yards in each. The defense meanwhile has performed stronger as the season progresses, allowing 300 yards or less in six consecutive contests, and only one 200-yard passer (Brett Favre) and 100-yard rusher (Michael Turner) in its past six games. The Packers’ 3-4 defense is burning on all cylinders, especially evidenced in shutting down Tom Brady on the road, and a healthy Aaron Rodgers will boost this team’s confidence heading into the final stretch.
What to expect from the Giants:
If anyone has an explanation for what happened last week, save it. I don’t want to hear it. Even with the loss against the Eagles, the Giants have a great opportunity to make the playoffs, and it starts with beating Green Bay on the road. Green Bay is an underachieving team this year that many expected to win their division outright and contend for the Super Bowl. The Packers are in the same situation as the Giants; a division title is out of reach, and this week 16 matchup is practically an elimination game for both teams. I want to know which Giants team is going to show up in Green Bay: the team that pounded the Eagles for 52 minutes, or the team that was sent to the locker room with tail between its legs after the final 8 minutes. The Giants have risen well to the challenge this season when necessary: in week 3 against Chicago, and in week 12 against Jacksonville.
Prediction:
Green Bay, like New York, is battling for a wild card spot. The matchup between New York and Green Bay already features a playoff atmosphere, as a loss will almost guarantee the team’s absence in the postseason. The two are competing for the sixth and final NFC playoff spot. This isn’t a matter of which team wants it more; both teams should want to make the playoffs just as much as the other. Both teams are also desperate for a victory after heartbreaking losses, and both teams’ offensive and defensive schemes are firing on all cylinders at this stage of the season. It should be an absolute battle on every series, featuring matchups between Clay Matthews and Kevin Boss, BJ Raji and Shaun O’Hara, Greg Jennings and Corey Webster, and Eli versus Aaron Rodgers. Both teams played well last week against top competition, and both lost on the final play. The last time these teams played was the 2007 NFC Championship in Green Bay, a 23-20 overtime Giants win. In 2010, expect the Packers to be invigorated by their return of their quarterback and triumph over the dispirited Giants. 30-17 Green Bay.
Last week’s prediction: 27-20 Giants (31-38 actual)
Season prediction record: 10-4
What’s YOUR score?
No comments:
Post a Comment