Packers, Giants, Prediction

All of the preparation is done, practices completed, and game film has been studied, there is nothing left for the players to do except execute the gameplan. This game is a rematch of an earlier contest this year, in which the Giants almost beat the Packers. It came down to a last minute drive by Aaron Rodgers that lead to a Mason Crosby Field goal. Today's game will either be a blow out or a close game. It will all come down to the defense. Here are my keys to the game:

1. Protect Rodgers. In the regular season meeting, Rodgers had the most rushing yards on the team. The offensive line is now fully intact and they need to step up in a big way to keep the pressure off of Rodgers.

2. Get pressure on Eli Mannaing. The front line of Howard Green, Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji need to generate a pass rush on Manning and help Clay Mathews out. If not, this secondary will be in for a long day, because if you give any quarterback 7 seconds, he will tear you apart.

3. Limit the big plays. This secondary needs to limit the big plays and long runs after the catch. The first play for the Giants offense in their regular season meeting was a long td pass to the tight end Travis Beckum. They need to communicate better so these type of plays do not happen. Communication in the secondary will be key to the success of the unit.

4. Jermichael Finley. Finley has been inconsistent the past few weeks and if the Packers are to advance to the NFC Championship, he is going to have to come up with big plays and exploit the mis-matches that he causes. Keeping his head in the game has been a problem for him, as Rodgers has called him out already this season for running the wrong routes. With Jennings returing to action today, Finley could be in for a big game as, the Giants do not have the secondary to cover, Jennings, Nelson, Driver and Finley.

5. Tackling. The defense needs to tackle better than it has all season. Bottom line!! The Giants have some big running backs in Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, that are hard to take down. The defense will need to tackle low and swarm the football. They have struggled against bigger backs with Tampa Bay's LaGarrett Blount sticking out as the back running over them. Limiting the running ability of the Giants will help the secondary, but those guys better be ready to throw their bodies into the mix and help stop the run.

Prediction

With all that said, the Packers will be in for a fight today. This was not the divisional opponent that the Packers were hoping for. I think the offense will play at an extremely high level for coach Joe Philbin. Rumor has it that his finger prints are all over today's gameplan as he planned it last week. This game will be a lot closer than I would like but I think the defense could be out to prove something and will play better. It all comes down to the defense. Packers 31 Giants 27

What are your predictions? How do  you see this game playing out?