Giants-Packers Game Preview

by Ed Valentine on Jan 18, 2008 7:58 PM EST in New York Giants News

We are pretty much talked out here at Big Blue View, but here is a preview of Sunday's NFC Championship Game to help keep you occupied.

2007-2008 Records:

New York Giants: 12-6 (NFC Wildcard)
Green Bay Packers: 14-3 (NFC North Champs)

WHEN THE GIANTS HAVE THE BALL: Will Eli Manning sport the Michael Jackson look (with a glove) or go with the Jorge Posada fashion statement (no glove)? More importantly, will the Giants game plan resemble the 52-pass disaster in bad weather against the Redskins, or the 15-pass victory in frigid, windy, snowy Buffalo? I have faith Eli can make plays, but I am hoping the plan -- and the score -- allows the Giants' attack to look more like the one they used against Buffalo.

Frigid conditions and a slippery field could be great conditions for Brandon Jacobs. The Packers boast a quality front seven and solid cornerbacks, so the Giants will have to play mistake-free (a tall order in miserable conditions) and take advantage of their opportunities.

WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL: The Packers like to spread the field with four and five-wide receiver sets, and that's a huge problem for the Giants' depleted secondary. Can the Giants get enough pressure on Brett Favre to protect those cornerbacks, and can Corey Webster and R.W. McQuarters continue to come up big when they have to? If the Giants can't slow the Green Bay passing attack they have no chance.

OVERVIEW: There is no way around it, the frigid single-digit temperatures will play a huge factor. Which team's offense will be able to function? Which team will be able to hang on to the football? Which team will kick the ball effectively?

This game is an uphill battle for the Giants. It's hard to see clearly how they keep Favre and the Packers from reaching the Super Bowl. Yet, I will not count them out. They have played too well in recent weeks, and come together too much as a group, to think they won't put up one helluva fight Sunday night.

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There will be heat on th feild

Believe when the ball is in Amhad Bradshaw's hands he will bring it. Steadily and cautiously the Giants have made more presence of him and these next two games are the hammer in it's latter part of the swing. The steady pressure of Jacobs wearing down the defense creates the 4th quarter from hell for a tired Packers defense.
Spagnuolo will bring it as well ...no mystery there. This defense has hit it's stride. The Secondary will have to step up, there is no doubt the Packers focus is aimed at exploiting down field. As in Dallas, if not more, they need to rattle all of them.I mean off the line on receivers, the front four taking these younger players backwards, and chase Farve.Oh yeah...Contain Ryan.
As of late the return team has provided stellar field position. This, if it continues is yet another piece to what could surmount to two more victory's.

by johnd134 on Jan 18, 2008 8:37 PM EST reply actions

I feel the hunger this team has to go all the way.

If they keep holding mistakes to the minimum and if the rookies keep playing the way they have been, we'll surprise a lot of people. I believe both conditions will be met. Bradshaw has already had his breakout game and I'm looking for Boss to have one, hopefully on Sunday. Pope has the speed to stay with anyone. With Spagsgement, he'll do okay.

by george cronin on Jan 18, 2008 9:48 PM EST reply actions

reasons why the giants have a chance

spags spags spags spags spags spags spags spags.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jan 19, 2008 7:03 AM EST reply actions

side note:

Ed I'm insulted that you chose a picture of a termometer with a green hat and green gloves on, you know because we are playing the PACKERS this week.

can't you choose a thermometer with blue gear?

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jan 19, 2008 7:05 AM EST reply actions

Sorry

I didn't even think about it. I saw it and thought it was kinda funny, so I grabbed it. I suppose if I was any good at Photoshop I could have changed it.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 19, 2008 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

As important as Eli...

..throwing the ball in cold weather, will Jacobs be able to catch it? It seems that one of the biggest differences between the Redskins game and the games that followed was the ability of Jacobs to catch the outlet pass. In cold weather he got hands of stone.

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by NYERinSF on Jan 19, 2008 1:49 PM EST reply actions

Which is why

the Giants shouldn't be throwing the ball to Jacobs in the first place.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 19, 2008 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Outlet pass reciever needed

I don't know if Bradshaw can grow into the role, or if Jacobs will work catching more during the off season, but one thing sorely missing from Giants' offense right now is the outlet pass

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by NYERinSF on Jan 19, 2008 2:31 PM EST up reply actions