Giants vs. Packers: Breaking Down How New York's Defense Stifled Aaron Rodgers

It was appropriate that defense led the way in the New York Giants' 37-20 divisional playoff upset of the Green Bay Packers.

The Giants are a franchise synonymous with the art of defense and Perry Fewell's unit delivered a stunning performance to shut down the high octane Packers attack.

Disguise and pressure proved to be the lethal combination that kept Green Bay gunslinger Aaron Rodgers and his talented stable of receivers out of sync all game long.

Big Blue was routinely able to harass Rodgers in the pocket and disrupt the timing of the Packers passing game. Fewell tweaked his favored three safety package to produce one of the defense's most effective schemes.

The Giants lined up three defensive linemen, including any two of Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka and Osi Umenyiora as speed, edge rushers.

Hybrid specialist Justin Tuck was a standup rusher who would either blitz or drop back to supplement the coverage schemes.

Fewell also aligned linebackers Michael Boley and Jacquian Williams on either side of the line and alternated them as additional blitzers.

Depending on whether or not Tuck rushed, the Giants were able to show six and rush different combinations of four or five.

This alignment kept the Packers blocking schemes guessing all night and led to some crucial sacks. The Giants supported their multiple looks and shifting personnel up front, with an ever changing spectrum of coverages.

New York's defense operated a loose zone shell on most plays. This deep sitting umbrella prevented the Packers from going deep and forced Rodgers into quick and short dumpoffs underneath.

But Fewell also mixed his coverages to great effect. The Giants always gave the appearance of a loose, deep zone. But this would occasionally shift to tight, man coverage at the last second.

Fewell trusted versatile safety Antrel Rolle to take Greg Jennings in press coverage and frequently doubled Jordy Nelson and presented him with different looks.

The result of all this scheming was a Packers offense that missed several long passing connections and looked a step off the pace all game long.

Many, including this author, have been skeptical about Fewell's performance at times this season. But the Giants defensive coordinator deserves tremendous credit for designing a plan that shut down Rodgers and company and put the G-Men one step away from a fifth Super Bowl berth.