Giants vs. Packers: Preview and Predictions for NFC Divisional Round

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have their eyes on back-to-back Lombardi Trophies, but the New York Giants are in their way. 

The road to the Super Bowl goes through Lambeau Field and a Packers loss to anyone this season would be a major upset. 

Coming off of a 24-2 thrashing of the Atlanta Falcons, though, New York has the confidence to pull it off.  The Packers and Giants faced off in the regular season and the Packers only won 38-35, so it definitely won’t be a cakewalk.

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc.

When: Sunday, Jan. 15, at 4:30 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX

Listen: Packers Radio Network, NYG Radio Stations

Giants Injury Report

According to USA Today, Mark Herzlich and Da’Rel Scott were ruled out on Sunday against the Falcons.  NFL.com reported that during their opening-round game, New York lost Aaron Ross and D.J. Ware to concussions and Deon Grant to a quad injury.

Packers Injury Report

Green Bay will go into their first playoff game unscarred by injuries.  Key players Charles Woodson, Greg Jennings, Brian Bulaga, Randall Cobb and James Starks are all listed as probable, but the Packers won’t be missing a single player who isn’t already on the IR.

What They’re Saying

Andrew Das of The New York Times said after the Giants win over the Falcons that New York “may have the best defense left in the playoffs.” [I wonder how Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison feel about that statement].

According to Mike Vandermause of the Wisconsin Rapid Tribune, Green Bay rookie running back Alex Green was amazed at the selflessness of the Packers players as he said:

"

“About a week into being here, (I noticed) nobody here is worried about individuals.  It's all about the team.  We put team first.  Buy in with teammates and coaches, that's what we have here.  Since I got here, we've been doing things the right way.  Good situation. Good locker room.  The environment is good.”

"

Giants Player to Watch

When Hakeem Nicks is on, he’s almost unstoppable.  Against the Packers in Round 1, he caught seven passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.  His effort kept them in the game and if he can do the same, New York will have shot to pull off the upset.

Packers Player to Watch

Aaron Rodgers is the MVP of the NFL this year.  His stat line is out of this world; 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns, six interceptions, a 68.3 completion percentage translating to a passer rating of 122.5.  If Rodgers continues to play as well as he has all season, no one is stopping the Packers.

Key Matchup

Chad Clifton vs. Jason Pierre-Paul

The only way to slow Rodgers down is to pressure him.  JPP recorded a whopping 16.5 sacks in just his second year in the league.  He is the Giants' best shot to disrupt Rodgers, and left tackle Chad Clifton is who he’ll have to beat.

Prediction

NY is on fire and played the Pack close in the regular season, similar to the time they upset the New England Patriots after nearly knocking them off before the postseason.  But the Packers won’t underestimate the Giants like the Pats did. 

Mike McCarthy’s club is too good to suffer a letdown to a New York team that barely even made the playoffs.

Green Bay 31-28

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels