New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers – from regular season meeting to the playoffs – NFL Special
The stage is set, and New York Giants are now ready to face the defending Super Bowl Champions, Green Bay Packers, in a showdown next week.
Both the teams have enjoyed the glory of winning the prestigious Super Bowl. However, the Packers’ memories are fresher as they won the honour last year and have virtually continued their winning run this season as well.
Despite Packers’ 14-game winning streak in the National Football League (NFL) regular season, they cannot ignore the inescapable fact that the Giants were the first ones to come close to beating them.
What happened in the last meeting?
The Packers, whose offence is in a thundering form right from the start of the season, made great plays to keep the score increasing, but the Giants never fell behind.
The game’s fate was not decided till the last minute.
In front of more than 80,000 spectators, the breathtaking final plays of the game made it one of the most memorable and talked-about game of the season.
The Giants scored a touchdown and levelled the scores, 35-35, with just 58 seconds left on the clock. The Packers, however, was not in favour of playing in overtime.
Their star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, initiated a quick drive and set up Mason Crosby from 31 yards. A field goal gave them three points as they extended their winning streak.
What after that?
Since their last meeting, both the teams played four more games in the regular season.
The Packers finally got their winning streak crushed, and that, too, against the lowly Kansas City Chiefs, who did not even qualify for the playoffs.
Out of their four games, they won three by piling up a burden over the opponents by scoring immensely in all the games.
As for Giants, they also won last three of their four games to dominate the National Football Conference (NFC) – East division and qualify for the postseason.
They defeated the then division leaders and their rivals, Dallas Cowboys, twice to top the division.
The standouts
The offence remained a key for the Packers. They scored 46, 35 and 45 points respectively in the games they won.
The highlighting and encouraging factor for the Giants was their ability to play better under pressure.
During one of the games against the Cowboys, they were trailing by 12 points in the final five minutes. Quarterback, Eli Manning, led two impressive quick drives and produced two touchdowns to win the game.
The weak points
The Packers have relied on their offence throughout the season. They rested Rodgers in their last game, and still managed to bombard the opponents with their second-string side.
Their ability to control the game by dominating the opponent’s defence is the only trick they have mastered.
When it comes to the playoffs, where there is a do-or-die situation, the Packers should give a second thought about controlling the opponents lest the latter do it.
The Giants’ game is centred more around Manning’s passing ability. Their rushing game is the worst in the league, and they are worried about it. Really!
Now what?
The Giants defeated Atlanta Falcons to earn a match against the Packers. Surprisingly, the Giants displayed a remarkable improvement in their defensive as well as rushing game.
The Falcons got only two points against the Giants, who has set the alarming bells ringing for the Packers.
The Packers entered the postseason securing a home-field advantage and a first-week bye. They watched on screens the threatening Giants, who are desperate to prove their mettle this weekend.
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