N.Y. Giants 27 Green Bay Packers 13; Packers fall to 5-5

Packers cornerback Tramon Williams, who had one of his better days in some time, avoids the tackle of New York Giants tight end Brandon Myers (83) after making an interception during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

A pick-six by Jason Pierre-Paul early in the fourth quarter nailed the Green Bay Packers coffin shut and put a serious crimp in the franchise’s chances for a playoff spot come January as the Giants won their fourth straight game, 27-13, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The interception return for the touchdown came after the Packers had scored, had gotten a big defensive stop on the Giants and got the ball back. It was a clear back-breaker for the Packers who were looking to tie the game. It also put the Giants up by two touchdowns, where the score would stay through the fourth quarter, 27-13

With inconsistent play on both sides of the ball, the Packers, playing with their third string quarterback, Scott Tolzien, couldn’t finish once again. A vicious run for a touchdown late in the third quarter by Eddie Lacy accounted for Green Bay’s only touchdown of the game. Otherwise, it was ball control by the Giants, more poor tackling and coverage by the Packers defensive backfield (sans their best cover guy, Sam Shields), and the huge play by Pierre-Paul that downed the Packers.

Tolzien, who again showed he has the skills and moved the team with his 22-of-30, 318-yard performance, couldn’t get the team to finish once again. Three interceptions didn’t help the team’s cause.

Green Bay lost its third straight game, going back to the Aaron Rodgers‘ injury against the Chicago Bears. While the offense has made plays with their young backup, the defense is the most concern for the team. Yes, they made some plays today and had some stops, but it was the soft tackling and the inability to get off the field on third downs that was the difference in this game.

Nov 17, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien (16) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

But you certainly can’t place all the blame on the defense and Tolzien for this loss. The inability to get the running game going today placed increased pressure on Tolzien to make things happen.

Eddie Lacy carried 14 times for just 27 yards, well off his average over the course of the season.

The second half was much like the first, where the Packers scored just six points. The highlight was Mason Crosby‘s leg.

The Packers had the ball for fewer than 10 minutes in the first half but went into halftime trailing by only four points, 10-6, after Mason Crosby kicked a 57-yard field goal as the clock expired.

The kick, which was just one yard shy of a franchise record, came off of a solid ending defensively by the Packers.

The Packers came out flat and the Giants took advantage when they got a good punt return from Reuben Randle, who then finished things with a 26-yard touchdown pass as the Giants took a 7-0 lead.

Green Bay moved the ball on big plays from QB Scott Tolzien. He hit Jordy Nelson over the middle for a first down and then hit James Jones down the middle for 44 yards to deep inside Giants’ territory.

However, that drive stalled and Crosby kicked the first of his two field goals to cut the lead to 7-3. After the Giants drove the field for another three points, the Packers were inept on offense. The Giants again moved down the field into the red zone, but it was cornerback Tramon Williams who picked off Eli Manning to halt the Giants final threat of the half.

Stopping the Giants inside of one minute, the Packers got the punt, drove about 30 yards and then got the 57-yard field goal by Crosby.

Game statistics are as follows, courtesy of SI.com

• Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Rueben Randle 26 yard TD pass from Eli Manning (Josh Brown extra point is GOOD), 5:34 Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards in 2:57
New York 7-0

2nd Quarter

Josh Brown 40 yard field goal, 14:03 Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards in 4:56
New York 10-0

Mason Crosby 24 yard field goal, 10:21 Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards in 3:42
New York 10-3

Mason Crosby 57 yard field goal, 0:00 Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards in 0:43
New York 10-6

3rd Quarter

Josh Brown 28 yard field goal, 10:06 Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards in 2:10
New York 13-6

Brandon Jacobs 1 yard TD run (Josh Brown extra point is GOOD), 0:25 Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards in 6:07
New York 20-6

4th Quarter

Eddie Lacy 4 yard TD run (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 12:43 Drive: 5 plays, 83 yards in 2:42
New York 20-13

Jason Pierre-Paul 24 yard interception return for TD (Josh Brown extra point is GOOD), 10:49 Drive: 0 play, 0 yard in 0:00
New York 27-13

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Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2013/11/17/5586/index.html#ixzz2kx4zqcga