Let's see how the Packers travel east.
West coast trips may have cost Green Bay a shot at a first round bye in the playoffs, a listless loss to the Chargers in Los Angeles and an overwhelming rout at the hands of the 49ers last Sunday in Santa Clara dropped their record to 8-3. That trails three teams in the conference (San Francisco, Seattle, New Orleans) and it leaves them even with Minnesota in the NFC North race. One last westward trip two days before Christmas will likely settle the division.
But this weekend, it's off to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey where the Packers face the 2-9 New York Giants in the first of the final five December drive matchups.
As convincing as the San Francisco victory was, the Packers insist their confidence has not been shaken. Anything short of a convincing victory against a team with a rookie quarterback and a second year Head Coach teetering on the unemployment line might leave the Pack wondering if they are indeed playoff worthy.
Let's match up the Pack and the G-men.
When the Packers have the ball.
It's hard to imagine an offense getting worse when Aaron Rodgers' top target returns from a month long injury. When Davante Adams was away with the turf toe injury, the Packers revved up an offense to the tune of 400 yards and 32 points a game. Aaron Jones was scoring touchdowns left and right. Adams came back three weeks ago and the offense could muster but a single touchdown and less than 200 yards in two of three games. The Packers have got to get Jones back into a feature role both on the ground and in the passing game. Head Coach Matt LaFleur must dial back on Adams targets, the force feeding has left the other receivers simply running routes.
The Giants should not offer much resistance. They rank 27th in yards allowed per game, 29th in scoring defense. Arguably their best player, safety Jabrill Peppers, has already been ruled out of the contest.
The offensive line is looking for a big rebound this week. Bryan Bulaga suffered an MCL sprain against the Niners and Alex Light really struggled. Bulaga did practice on a limited basis and is questionable for the game. If he can't hold up, look for Billy Turner to kick outside and Lucas Patrick to play right guard. New York's best pressure comes from sam linebacker Markus Golden who has a team high 7.5 sacks.
Get Jones busy, spread the wealth and stay in front the chains and the offense will look like it should.
When the Giants have the ball.
It took two weeks for Pat Shurmur to put Eli Manning to pasture and give the ball to number one pick Daniels Jones. He won his first two starts to get the Giants to 2-2 but New York has dropped seven straight since. Jones is very capable, evidenced by his 17 touchdown passes but he's also a turnover machine. He's thrown 8 interceptions and has lost 10 of a whopping 14 fumbles this season. The Packers must make sure the ball is in the rookie's hands more often than not. That means clamping down on New York's best player, running back Saquon Barkley. A variety of nagging injuries has cut his production to 461 yards rushing and 35 receptions. If the Packers keep him under wraps, Jones will have few downfield options. Both Golden Tate and tight end Evan Engram have been ruled out with injuries.
Disciplined run defense and tighter lines of communication in the secondary should allow the Smiths to continue piling up sack numbers.
Sloppy weather forecast Sunday could keep the game interesting but the Packers, for the third time this year, will bounce back from a loss and get the December drive pointed in the positive direction. I like Green Bay 27-17.
