Lombardi Ave
FanSided

Four takeaways from Packers’ NFC North-clinching win over Lions

By Freddie Boston

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison (81) catches an important pass against the Lions. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison (81) catches an important pass against the Lions. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass in the second quarter during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass in the second quarter during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

A Giant challenge awaits

Pick your poison: New York come to Lambeau or Green Bay head to Seattle. Both prospects carry previous postseason baggage, but it’s the former we’ll revisit this weekend.

Eli Manning is 2-0 at Lambeau Field in the postseason, and both wins have led to championships. The Giants are considered outsiders for the ultimate prize again this year, and Sunday’s game features eery parallels.

New York’s defense its biggest strength, boasting one of the league’s premier secondaries, a unit with the pieces capable of slowing the Packers’ red-hot offense. Their front seven might not be what it was in 2007 or 2011, but it’s still loaded with talent, particularly against the run.

And the Packers know as well as the Patriots how Manning can get hot in January. Nobody expected him to take down the 15-1 Packers in 2011, just as nobody saw him leading the Giants past the then-undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Next: A look at the Packers' end-of-season numbers

Green Bay will be favored at home, but the Giants won’t care one bit about that. A trip to Seattle might be seen as the tougher of the two outcomes, but the Packers will need to overcome an underrated Giants team to stop Ben McAdoo getting one over on his former boss.

Home/Green Bay Packers News