The Packers’ worst nightmare comes to Lambeau Field today in the form of Eli Manning and the New York Giants. Manning is 7-1 on the road in the playoffs and 2-0 at Lambeau, edging the Packers in OT in 2007 and crushing the 15-1 Packers following the 2011 season. So do the Packers even have a chance in this game? I think they do.
While the Giants do look similar to those previous two teams that won in Lambeau then won the Super Bowl, beating the Patriots both times, a big difference is the Giants offense. There is no Brandon Jacobs or Ahmad Bradshaw providing that smashmouth running attack that opened things up for Manning.
If it wasn’t so cold I could see this game being a shootout, neither team defends the pass very well, the Giants are 23rd and the Packers 31rst, and both are top ten against the run, so balls could be flying. I suspect both teams will still try to air it out but cold weather seems to slow everything down. The Packers’ excellent short passing attack may give them just the edge they need.
I think we are looking at a nailbiter the whole way, so buckle up, but stay patient, Packers turn the table on the Giants and win in overtime 23-20.