***SWAMP WILD-CARD WEEKEND FINALE - NYG @ GB***
***NEW YORK GIANTS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS***
The grand finale of the Wild-Card Weekend graces us with a classic face-off between two Super Bowl Winning QBs when Eli Manning and the Giants head into Green Bay to take on Aaron Rodgers and the red hot Packers. As you know, the Packers sat with a 4-6 record heading into week 12 when Rodgers made his classic "we're gonna run the table" statement and as we know when Rodgers declares this kind of thing it usually works out well for them. Naturally, "run the table" they did as the Pack won the remaining six games on their schedule, finishing up with a week 17 road victory in Detroit and stole the NFC North crown from the Lions' grasp while punching their ticket to the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers has some ridiculous stat at the moment where he has thrown 18 touchdowns and 0 interceptions during in the last 7 games I believe, which is insane but because it's him, not surprising. Needless to say the man is in the zone and he will need to remain that way when the Big Blue defense comes to town later today. The Giants defense has carried them all year long and the organization looks to have made the right investment last offseason when they made all the moves to help sure up that side of the ball. The addition of CB Janoris Jenkins, LB Olivier Vernon, DT Damon Harrison AKA Snacks have proven to be the perfect fits in all the lacking areas for this D, well worth all that money. These guys inserted into this unit along with other key members in this secondary like; Sophomore Safety Landon Collins who has had a Pro Bowl caliber season, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Rookie Eli Apple have been so good they have dubbed themselves a well deserving nickname of "NYPD," which stands for New York Pass Defense. It is no secret that these guys will need to be on their A-game today up against one of the league's best QBs at home in his frozen element. As we know, if there is one team that is good at playing in cold Green Bay during the post-season, it is QB Eli Manning and the Giants as they have been a thorn in the Packers side in this situation in the past. In fact the Giants have gone through Green Bay in both of their Super Bowl runs and it will be interesting to see if they can three-peat today when we get a classic case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
Rodgers knows how much of a pain the GMen are in this spot and has already gone ahead and clarified his run the table statement saying that he only meant that they'd run the table the rest of the season and make it to the playoffs, a wise move in my opinion because I believe the Giants will once again prevail in this one. NYG relishes in this spot historically and this is when they are at their best as weird as that is. When on the road and in the underdog role is when these guys seem to get it done and I think the defense plays well enough in this one to limit Rodgers enough to pull off the upset. When these guys met back in Green Bay week 5, the Pack won the game 23-16 but I believe these are two completely different teams since that point of the season. The Giants still were getting used to all their new toys and the Packers defense since then has withered with injuries to the secondary. This is where Eli needs to take advantage with WRs Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, and Rookie Sterling Shepard. They have the tools necessary to completely take over this game and beat the wounded Packers secondary down the field. The only question is whether Eli will elevate his game enough in the cold weather to do so. Despite all the weapons NYG has in their passing game they really haven't been able to turn it on and play at a high level and if not for their stout defense keeping them in games, they may not be in this position. Luckily for them they are, and now is the time to ramp up the passing game and up against a vulnerable secondary like this I believe they will. This is when we get a different kind of Eli Manning, the postseason is where he excels. His nonchalant, even-keel, oh shux type of attitude is perfect for this NY team in this underdog road warrior role because he is unfazed no matter what the task. When his WR core took off for Miami after their big win against the Redskins in week 17, the media blew it up into this huge deal and it could've very well been if they let it. That whole situation might've been a big distraction that could've disrupted this whole week's preparation had Eli not made light of it like he did in his interview with the media. He cracked jokes and seemed as loose as can be and that is what I like to see. The Giants are confident and know what they are capable of and I believe they are destined for Dallas to attempt a season hat trick against them next week. The Packers had a great run, but just don't have the defense needed to make a run at the ship this year. Rodgers and his guys will surely find some ways to get his today but I believe in the end will fall short and be unable to slow down Beckham and Co. who should be extra motivated to show the world that their recent vacation did not have any effect on their play today. The Giants are a resilient bunch and I like them to advance and begin what will be an eerie resemblance of their past playoff runs. GIANTS+5
