Green Bay vs New York NFL Handicapping
A depleted Packers team heads to the Big Apple on Sunday to take on the suddenly surging New York Giants who look for their fourth win in a row.
When: Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 at 4:25 p.m. EST
Where: MetLife Stadium
TV: FOX
LINE: -4.5 (Giants), O/U 42.5
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Green Bay (5-4) was riding a wave straight into the playoffs as disaster struck, when quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with a shoulder injury two weeks ago against Chicago. And while the Packers had a strong start, many are now wondering the injury to Rodgers will cost them a spot in the playoffs.
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With their field general out the Packers will go with third string quarterback Scott Tolzien, which means the offense, will have to rely more on rookie running back Eddie Lacy, who is emerging as a legitimate NFL running back. In the past six games, he has rushed for 618 yards and had at least 22 carries.
Nevertheless, Green Bay still possesses a number of receiving threats in Jordy Nelson, James, Jones and the newcomer Jarret Boykin giving Tolzien a ton of options.
Tolzien did reasonably after coming into last week’s game against Philadelphia in the second quarter, throwing for 280 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for injured backup Seneca Wallace.
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Meanwhile, the Giants (3-6) have been resurrected, winning three straights after an awful start to the 2013 campaign. Now the Giants trail NFC East co-leaders Dallas and Philadelphia by just 1 1/2 games and with a few more wins could make a late-season playoff drive.
The biggest contributer for New York’s turnaround has been cutting down on turnovers and a revitalization of a defense that surrendered an average of more than 34 points through the first six games but has permitted 34 in the last three wins.
Credit can also be given to quarterback Eli Manning was has only been picked off once during the Giants current winning streak, after throwing 15 interceptions to start the season.
The running game has also gotten a major boost with the season debut of Andre Brown last week, who rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries to alleviate the demand on Manning.
Matt’s Free Prediction
This is a tough game to call, as the Giants were terrible to start the year but have since turned things around.
The Packers meanwhile, were postseason contenders until Rodgers went down and now have lost two straight.
This will be a ground battle, and if Lacy can keep the Giants off the field, they can keep this one within a touchdown.
Giants 23, Packers 16
