Preview: The Packers Take on Tommy Cutlets and Giants in Primetime
Another week, another primetime game,
and that is just the case for the Packers this week as they travel to East
Rutherford, New Jersey to take on Tommy Cutlets and the New York Giants. This
game marks one of three road games the Packers will have in their remaining five
games before finishing the season at home against the Bears.
I hope everyone has thoroughly enjoyed the win against the Chiefs, as they
should’ve. Although it was the statement win of the season, the Packers still
have work to do, and we aren’t locked into the playoffs just yet.
The Giants are not by any means a playoff team this season, but they still are
not a team to be taken lightly. Their head coach Brian Daboll, coach of the
year last season, is very solid and has kept his team together after the loss
of starting quarterback Daniel Jones for the season. They have a few impactful
players on both sides of the ball, Saquan Barkley being the focal point of
their offense alongside their offensive addition Darren Waller this offseason.
Waller is currently on the IR with a hamstring injury and will not be available
Monday night. On the defensive side, they have a top-10 pass rusher this season
in Kayvon Thibodeaux who has 11 sacks so far this season. They also have two
great defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams.
The Giants have also struggled to protect the quarterback this season, as they’ve allowed 69 sacks, the most in the NFL. The Packers’ defensive front might be in for another feast this week if they bring the pressure to the pocket. The pressure up front, as we saw last week against the Chiefs, makes it much easier for the guys in the secondary to make plays. Speaking of the secondary, the Packers are still going to be limited at that position again this week. Jaire Alexander hasn’t played in three weeks and during his press time this week, he didn’t give any indication as to when he hopes to return.
Jaire Alexander prefaced his media session by saying he’s going to lie to us anyway, so take what he said about his extended absence with that in mind. pic.twitter.com/w8NQL83YMi
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 8, 2023
The Packers’ injury report is again
stacked with names on both sides of the ball. I won’t go through the whole
list, however, there are a few key names that need to be touched on. Listed as
DNPs this week who played against the Chiefs were Christian Watson (hamstring),
Quay Walker (shoulder), and Elgton Jenkins (shoulder). Watson and Walker were
both DNPs on Saturday’s practice, Watson has been labeled out and Walker is
doubtful to play. There is some good news, Elgton Jenkins doesn’t have a label
for the game and should be good to go come game time. Jaire Alexander and Aaron
Jones are also listed as questionable for Monday night’s game as well. Final Packers injury report for #GBvsNYG pic.twitter.com/CAWR5Wgy1q
Defensively the Packers must contain
Saquan Barkley, he is the star of the Giant’s offense and is going to be leaned
on heavily in this game. The Packers' run defense still struggled against
Isaiah Pacheco and the Chiefs, but they made key stops in the red zone when it
counted. Barkley is working with a worse offensive line than the Chiefs but is
still dynamic enough to make plays happen with what he has to work with. I
think we all could live with letting Tommy DeVito try to beat the Packers with
his arm instead of allowing Barkley to rush for 100 plus yards on us.
On the offensive side of things, the
offensive line needs to continue to give Jordan Love a clean pocket to work
with. They’ve performed well recently, but this game against the Giants is
another where the offensive linemen could end up being the unsung heroes of the
offense.
Nobody knows the true status of Aaron
Jones, but thankfully AJ Dillon will be available in this game to get the
running game going. Dillon hasn’t put up crazy numbers as he’s been the lead back,
but he’s taken care of the ball and even got involved in the passing attack a
little bit. Speaking of the passing game, with Christian Watson out, the Packers
are losing their true deep threat and dynamic playmaker out wide. But thankfully,
the offense is loaded with young talent at that position, Romeo Doubs and
Jayden Reed are given to be involved. But watch out for guys like Dontayvion
Wicks, Malik Heath, and Tucker Kraft who may be asked to do more since Watson
is out.
One game at a time folks, that is how
this team is going be successful moving forward. It’s hard not to look ahead at
the possible playoff future the Packers have ahead of them, but let’s beat the Giants
first on the national stage. The green and gold have to chance to show the
league again that they are a team nobody wants to see come January.
Real Packer Fans Know🧀
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