Five Packers to watch vs. Giants in Week 13 matchup
By Jesse Fry
After an embarrassing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Green Bay Packers head east trying to get right. These players will help the Packers rebound.
Last Sunday’s primetime matchup was more hype than substance. The game was supposed to be a battle of the NFC’s two best teams. Instead, it was a thorough domination of one team over the other.
There’s no easy way to put it, the Packers went out west and got their tails kicked. San Fransisco’s defensive line dominated the Packers from start to finish. The showing was so bad Aaron Rodgers didn’t even convert on one of the first 14 third-down attempts in the game.
It wasn’t until Tim Boyle replaced Rodgers late in the fourth quarter the Packers finally converted on third down.
But there’s good news. The Packers get two 2-9 teams in consecutive weeks to try to get right. First up, the New York Giants.
The Giants are in full-blown rebuild mode. The team traded away or let walk a few big name players for the sake of building for the future. The Giants benched longtime starter Eli Manning for first-round pick Daniel Jones and after winning his first two starts, the Giants have lost seven straight.
On paper this looks like an easy win for the Packers. But, the Giants have lost the last two in close fashion and by only one score. Granted, those games were against the Jets and Bears, but this team isn’t just going to roll over and quit.
Rookie Jones is prone to turnovers while Saquon Barkley, last year’s rookie of the year, is having a down sophomore season. But Barkley is probably licking his chops seeing how the Packers run defense has fared lately.
Golden Tate and Evan Engram look like they might be out this week as neither has practiced yet with a concussion and foot injury. If Engram does not play, that is good news for the Packers as they have not yet been able to cover athletic tight ends.
The Giants are near the bottom of the league in just about every defensive category. If the Packers stumble here, it might speak to larger problems with the offense and the team.
If the Packers want to get back on track, these five players must regain their form against the Giants.