The Green Bay Packers and New York Giants have squared off at some of the most iconic venues in sports. The very first meeting was almost 94 years ago to this very day, October 7 of 1928 when the visiting New Yorkers beat Curly Lambeau’s Packers 6-0 at then, 4 year old City Stadium in front of 7000 fans.
They’ve played at State Fair Park and County Stadium in Milwaukee, of course Lambeau Field once it was constructed in 1957, playing the third ever home game at the soon to become NFL shrine.
Road trips had Green Bay travel to the Big Apple to play in the legendary Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium. In 1973, they hooked up in New Haven, Connecticut to play in the Yale Bowl. The Giants eventually took up residence in the Meadowlands of New Jersey, now Met Life Stadium.
This will be the 55th meeting in regular season history, Green Bay holds a 29-23-2 advantage. The Packers and Giants have an illustrious playoff history too, meeting 8 times with the Packers winning 5, including back to back NFL championship games in 1961 (the first ever at Lambeau) and 1962. The New Yorkers have disappointed Packer fans in the playoffs too, capturing the 2007 NFC Championship in what was Brett Favre’s final game in Green Bay, and then Eli Manning led the New Yorkers to an upset in the 2011 post-season.
Sunday, it’s a brand new venue in the series as Green Bay and New York will play at four year old Tottenham Stadium in the first ever international regular season game for the Pack. It’s a rarity in the NFL’s London series, this will be the first time two teams meet with winning records as both enter the contest with 3-1 ledgers.
So how will this play out across the pond?
When the Packers have the ball.
It’s been hot and cold stretches for Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s offense through the first month. A brilliantly executed first half against a very good Tampa Bay defense, last week against New England was a struggle until they regrouped in the second half and scored on three straight possessions. Finding game-long consistency has been elusive but they might have an opportunity Sunday. Look for a steady diet of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon again. New York ranks 28th against the run, giving up 141 yards a game. If the Packer production comes near that average, Aaron Rodgers should be able to work off play action and possibly continue a recent trend of taking shots deep. They didn’t pan out against the Patriots last week, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. All of the perimeter weapons should be at Rodgers’ disposal, including Allen Lazard who practiced sparingly with an ankle injury. One of New York’s top edge rushers, Azeez Ojulari and defensive tackle Leonard Williams are among a half dozen players ruled out. Top draft pick Kayvon Thibodeaux missed the first couple of games with a training camp injury and hasn’t found his stride yet. If the first 15 script is carried out, look for the Packers to expand the play calling possibilities and cash a few of them in. The most points New York has allowed so far is 23 in their only loss to Dallas, I think the Packers should be able to top that.
When the Giants have the ball.
Former Minnesota Viking great Adrian Peterson had the nickname “All Day” but that certainly applies to New York’s premier running back Saquon Barkley. He’s the NFL rushing leader after the first month at 463 yards, over 342 have come after contact and he’s averaging a robust 5.5 yards a carry. If ever there was a one-man offense, this is it. Quarterback Daniel Jones has worked through an ankle injury this week and is expected to play. He’s also done more with his legs than his arm, rushing for 193 yards and two scores. New York ranks ahead of only the feeble Chicago Bears in passing yards a game, managing just 139.5. Sunday, they’ll have to make do without two of their top five receivers as former Lion Kenny Golladay and last year’s top pick Kadarius Toney won’t play. It will be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Joe Barry brings another defender into the box to help control Barkley and almost dare Jones to beat his unit through the air. Green Bay’s run defense has been suspect at times and they will be challenged more than ever. Even if Barkley piles up average numbers, minus a couple of explosive runs, they should survive that challenge. Takeaways have been few and far between outside a couple of forced fumbles against Tampa, a pick or two when Jones is forced to throw would be welcome.
The bottom line.
The Packers are gunning for a 4th straight win since the opening day stumble in Minnesota and outside of Tom Brady, they haven’t faced a quarterback that can pull off an upset with his arm. That’s the case again Sunday. Control Barkley and the Packers will control the Giants and score another victory in the most unique venue in this rivalry’s nearly 100 years.
I like the Pack 30-17.
