Packers: 3 bold predictions for Week 5 matchup vs. Giants

Packers hold Saquon Barkley to under 100 rushing yards

The number one priority for the Packers in Week 5 is to slow down the NFL’s leading rusher, Saquon Barkley.

Barkley is already up to 463 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the opening four games. With injuries at wide receiver, and quarterback Daniel Jones dealing with an ankle issue, it’s clear what the Giants’ game plan will be.

If the Packers are unable to stop the run, Jones may never need to attempt a pass.

Green Bay has shown it can shut down the ground game once this season, when the defense limited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to 34 rushing yards in Week 3.

Defensive coordinator Joe Barry knows that if they can stop Barkley, they will be in a great position to win the game. That’s why we should see more stacked boxes from the Packers’ defense.

Remember in 2019 when the Tennessee Titans were expected to run all over Green Bay’s struggling defense? A huge game for Derrick Henry was predicted. But the Packers held their own, limiting Henry to 98 rushing yards in a 40-14 win.

The Packers would take 98 yards for Barkley in London.

One way to achieve this is to stack the box and force the Giants to throw. The other is for the offense to make a fast start and build a lead.

Do this, and the Packers can limit the Giants’ dominant rushing attack.