Wildcard Weekend Upset / Matchups
Wildcard Upset of the Weekend
Key Matchups
New York Giants over the Green Bay Packers
The New York Giants face a tough task this weekend when they go up against the hottest team in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers but I am taking the red hot defense in the New York Giants to beat the flaming hot Aaron Rodgers in Lambeau Field.
Giants Defensive Matchups
The New York Giants match up well against the Green Bay Packers. Jordy Nelson, Randle Cobb, and Devante Adams are all big play makers but the Giants secondary will maintain them. The combination of DRC, Landon Collins, Eli Apple, and Janoris Jenkins will be enough to maintain their receivers and big plays down the field. The New York Giants are one of the best run stopping teams in the NFL thanks to the best run stopper in the league Damon “Snacks” Harrison. Snacks and Johnathan Hankins will keep the new breath of fresh air runner in Ty Montgomery in check. If the Giants keep Rodgers from scrambling and extending plays, they have enough weapons in the backfield to hold Rodgers from his great big 40+ yard plays. The Giants don’t have the best pass rushers in the world but are talented enough to apply enough pressure with Olivier Vernon and Owamagbe Odinghizuwa on the outside. An limited running game and eliminating big plays will give the Giants an edge over Green Bay for this Wildcard weekend matchup.
2. Giants Offensive Matchups
Coming into the season the Giants were suppose to have one of the top offenses in the league but it has been anything but. Eli Manning was coming off his best season last year under Ben McAdoo but is having a down year this year. The Giants are known as having one of the worst offensive lines in the league, starting with Ereck Flowers who has been a highlight reel when it comes to bad blocking fundamentals. That is where the matchups play better for the Giants. Green Bay is ranked 31st in the league in sacks and it favors the Giants offensive line which will be needed for the passing game. Eli Manning hasn't been the same this year but its playoff time. The Eli Manning legacy is built off of the playoffs. He is 2-0 in his last two playoff games in Lambeau field (beating Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers) and is 7-0 when is an underdog, which he is this weekend. Paul Perkins has took the number one running back role from Rashad Jennings and has changed the run game. Perkins give the Giants an ability to pick up 3rd and short plays and provides an spark the Giants offense needs. Odell Beckham Jr is the biggest home run threat in the league and can change the game with one or two plays. Green Bay is depleted with injuries in the secondary, they lost starting cornerbacks Quinten Rollins, Damarious Randall and Makinton Dorleant during the Lions game. Odell will have a field day with that secondary and will open up more room for Shepard and Cruz to make big plays when needed.
The New York Giants will stop Aaron Rodgers from his elite play due to their elite defense and Eli Manning will have an edge over that depleted Green Bay defense and score enough points to win the game.
Score 20-17
