Giants at Packers: Preview, Predictions, and More

New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers

The New York Giants limp into Lambeau to battle the well-rested Green Bay Packers in an NFL Week 5 matchup that closes out Sunday’s slate of games and could end one team’s playoff hopes.

Big Blue is 2-2 after losing by two scores to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. The Giants couldn’t get anything going offensively as the powerful wide receiving trio of Odell Beckham, Victor Cruz, and Sterling Shepard were held in check. Eli Manning’s completion percentage was way down thanks to inaccuracy and pressure from the Vikings’ intense pass rush. New York’s defense couldn’t generate pressure of its own and sorely missed cornerbacks Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, plus safeties Darian Thompson and Nat Berhe.

Green Bay is coming off a bye week after holding off the Detroit Lions in Week 3. There have been a ton of questions and hot takes about Aaron Rodgers. We’re definitely not accustomed to seeing the kind of numbers AA-Rod’s putting up. His completion percentage and average passing yards per game are the lowest they’ve ever been as a starter.

Giants Keys To Victory

Eliminate turnovers – The Giants average six yards per play, which is fourth-highest in the league, yet they aren’t scoring. Drive-killing fumbles, mind-incinerating interceptions, muffed punts and more have derailed and dismantled New York’s high-powered passing attack. Nearly one in five drives ends in a turnover, which is fourth worst in the NFL. Even worse, the Giants aren’t forcing turnovers. The defense has zero interceptions through four weeks and only one fumble recovered.

Get the ball to your wide receivers down the field – Eli shouldn’t even look at his tight ends or running backs. Everyone keeps touting Odell, Cruz, and Shep as the top wide receiver trio, why waste touches on anyone else? Those three targets are the playmakers. Let them make plays!

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Stretch the field with Beckham, have Shepard run the mid-level routes, and Cruz can take the underneath. If Eli can get the ball into their hands on the run in-stride down the field, New York will be in a position to win. It be even more important to get them the ball in the red zone. For whatever reason, Ben McAdoo has been very averse to calling their numbers when in position to score. That needs to change.

Collapse Aaron Rodgers’ pocket – So much for that revamped pass rush. The Giants have four sacks, tied for least in the league with the Colts. Despite the lack of pressure and forced turnovers, Big Blue’s defense has held its own. Green Bay’s rushing attack is among the worst in the NFL, so if the Giants defense can put Rodgers in third-and-long, they should be able to get off the field more often.

Packers Keys To Victory

Copy The Vikings (Big) Blueprint on D – Don’t let Beckham get behind you and take away the quick, short throws to Shepard and Cruz. Green Bay’s pass defense has allowed almost nine yards per pass attempt, which is second worst in the NFL. Not to mention that stat comes against the Jaguars, Lions, and Vikings, who don’t have the wide receiving talent the G-Men have.

“Aar” It Out Early And Often – Let Aaron Rodgers rifle the ball all over the field. The Giants have shown they can’t get to the quarterback and with a depleted secondary. Rodgers should be able to exploit multiple options because of that fact. Giants strong safety Landon Collins has demonstrated exceptional abilities in the box and near the line of scrimmage, making the Giants run defense one of the best. Why waste plays on surefire fails?

With defensive backs Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie hampered by injuries, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams should be able to get separation and pick up big yards. It’s nuts to think the Pack are averaging less than 200 net passing yards per game.

Win the turnover battle – Which shouldn’t be hard. The Giants don’t force turnovers while giving the ball away way too much.

Must Read: NFL Week 5: Best Picks Against The Spread (ATS)

Odds

Point Spread: Green Bay, -7.5
Moneyline: New York +290, Green Bay -350
Over/Under: 48

Prediction

The Packers haven’t looked like the Packers so far this season, but they should be able to get back on track against a mistake-prone Giants squad that will shoot itself in the foot once again.

Pick: New York Giants: 24, Green Bay Packers: 27

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