The Green Bay Packers have a chance to make it three wins in three chances after losses when they travel to New York to face the Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
The Packers, now 8-3 after last Sunday night’s loss in San Francisco, haven’t lost two games in a row this season. After losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers, Matt LaFleur’s team responded with victories over the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, respectively.
Another win over the Giants would put the Packers one step closer to the postseason.
Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Sunday in New York:
1. Turnover time?
Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has thrown eight interceptions and lost 10 fumbles in nine starts this season, helping New York rank 30th in the NFL in turnover differential (-11). Although he hasn’t thrown a pick in three of the last four games, he’s lost at least one fumble in five straight games and in seven of his 10 appearances overall. He’s also thrown a pick in five of nine starts. As a result, the Giants lead the NFL in games with two or more turnovers (eight). The Packers haven’t had a takeaway in two of the last three games and have only five in the last six games. It’s time for Mike Pettine’s group to start creating havoc again, especially against a rookie quarterback.
2. Chance for the WRs
Veteran Janoris Jenkins and Davante Adams will likely battle on the perimeter most snaps, but the other Packers receivers have an opportunity for a big afternoon. The Giants cornerbacks after Jenkins are shaky, at best. Deandre Baker, Corey Ballentine and Grant Haley have all struggled. In fact, the Giants have allowed the fourth-most receiving yards and third-most touchdowns to the receiver position this season. This could be the chance for Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow and Geronimo Allison to make a big impact after a disappointing month of November.
3. Stopping Saquon
The Giants could be down several weapons in the passing game, and projected weather conditions at MetLife Stadium might make passing the football difficult. Expect the Giants to feed the ball to second-year running back Saquon Barkley over and over. While the Giants haven’t been good running it this season, the Packers haven’t been good at stopping it, either. If the Packers limit Barkley, it’s hard to see how the Giants can do enough or score enough on offense to win.
4. Interior OL
The big story this week is the injury status of right tackle Bryan Bulaga, but the Packers also need a bounce-back performance from the interior of the offensive line. Corey Linsley and guards Elgton Jenkins and Billy Turner got manhandled by the 49ers’ talented front in San Francisco. The Giants aren’t nearly as talented on the interior, but Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill are all good players. They’ll provide a good test – and a chance at redemption – for the middle of the Packers offensive line.
5. Get right game
If there’s an intangible benefit of losing last week in San Francisco, it’s that the Packers won’t have to worry about the “trap game” idea in New York. This should be a humbled, refocused team. That said, winning on the road in the NFL is never easy, regardless of opponent. The Giants are 2-9, with a rookie quarterback under center and the 29th ranked scoring defense, but the Packers can’t fly east and expect to just roll over Pat Shurmur’s team. This should be an opportunity for a “get right” game, but the Packers must start fast, avoid self-inflicted mistakes and take full advantage of the opportunity to win a ninth game in 12 tries. They have more talent, more experience and a better quarterback. No excuses.
Prediction: Packers 31, Giants 17
A couple of takeaways of Daniel Jones and 2-3 touchdowns from Aaron Jones get the Packers back on track. Keep an eye on the weather. The elements – including the wind – could play a big factor.