Giants vs. Packers: Preview, predictions, what to watch for

An inside have a look at Sunday’s Giants-Packers Week 5 matchup in London.

Marquee Matchup

Packers edge rushers Preston Smith and Rashan Gary vs. Giants offensive tackles Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal 

This Packers duo will get after it. Gary leads his crew with 5.0 sacks and had 9.5 sacks in 2021. Smith has 2.5 sacks this season and 52 in a profession in its eighth season. 

Thomas is Professional Soccer Focus’ top-rated participant in your complete league and he has been a drive as a move protector and run blocker.

Neal allowed three sacks two weeks in the past to the Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence, however performed higher towards the Bears earlier than exiting early with a neck problem. He bought by way of observe this week and is able to roll. 

Andrew Thomas, Rashan Gary
Andrew Thomas, Rashan Gary
Getty, Rashan Gary

Paul’s decide

This one doesn't add up within the Giants’ favor. They haven't confronted a pure passer something akin to Aaron Rodgers all season, their large receiver scenario is a large number, their offense struggles to interrupt 20 factors, and their protection is once more lacking priceless starters. Navigating methods to victories is admirable, however typically you must sustain in a high-scoring affair. The place are the factors going to come back from? 

Packers 31, Giants 13 

4 downs

NO STOP SIGN: Not one of the 4 Giants opponents has actually stymied Saquon Barkley. He has run for 164, 72, 81 and 146 yards, leads the NFL with 463 speeding yards and is on tempo for 1,968 this season. He's unlikely to maintain up this tempo, although. The Packers are less than their common requirements with their run protection, permitting 126.8 speeding yards per recreation, simply twenty second within the league. 

“It’s going to be a focus for lots of groups to attempt to cease us,’’ Barkley stated. “A variety of groups are going to do a number of new and various things, give you inventive methods. We’ve simply bought to deal with ourselves and modify each time they arrive out to strive one thing.’’ 

Getting defensive: The metrics are all there: The Giants are efficient on protection as a result of they excel at what's essential. They're second within the league in red-zone protection, permitting factors simply 35.7 p.c of the time (the Broncos are first at 27.2 p.c). The Giants are third in third-down conversion charge at 29.4 p.c. 

“I believe the blokes, the gamers themselves, have actually studied the sport, particularly situational soccer, various things like third down and purple zone,’’ defensive coordinator Wink Martindale stated. ‘They’ve actually accomplished a pleasant job of learning not solely what we’re doing as a protection, however what the offense does.’’ 

Floor and pound: Sure, Aaron Rodgers can nonetheless sling it higher than virtually anybody. No, the Packers don't closely depend on their passing assault. They're tenth within the NFL with a run charge of 44.8 p.c. A.J. Dillon has gotten barely extra speeding makes an attempt, however Aaron Jones has gotten extra yards. Dillon averages simply 3.7 yards per try, however Jones has pressured 18 missed tackles, in response to Professional Soccer Focus, the fourth-highest whole within the league. The Packers are seventh within the NFL in speeding, averaging 145 yards per recreation. 

Shock troops: That is getting greater than worrisome. The Giants haven't seen a lot manufacturing by any means from their large receivers, and now they're dropping like flies. They are going to be with out Kadarius Toney, Kenny Golladay and Wan’Dale Robinson (plus Sterling Shepard on injured reserve) and must depend on David Sills, Richie James, Darius Slayton and maybe observe squad call-up Marcus Johnson. 

“We’ve had guys step up all year long,” Daniel Jones stated, however he was being type. That actually has not been the case with the league’s least-imposing group. “I’m assured in our guys,’’ Jones stated.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post