Giants vs. Packers: Why Green Bay Shouldn't Overlook Eli Manning and New York

The Green Bay Packers have had a lot to think about during their bye week, and while many believe they'll get past the New York Giants, it is no guarantee. 

It's believed that since Aaron Rodgers lead the Packers on a game-winning drive against the Giants earlier this year, New York cannot beat Green Bay. 

Most are thinking that the Packers are very clutch, and Rodgers is virtually unstoppable, so the Giants stand no chance because the Packers as such big favorites to reach the Super Bowl. 

A portion of that is most certainly true, but the Giants are trending up, meaning the Packers are not an absolute lock to win this game.

Green Bay is favored at -8.5, which is a great indication of how a vast majority of people feel about this game.

I too have the Packers winning, but it's going to be another close game where Rodgers has to show off that clutch gene of his because Eli Manning will keep New York competitive. 

Struggling Defense 

The Packers finished the regular season dead last in the NFL against the pass, allowing an average of 299.8 passing yards per game. 

Manning picked Green Bay apart for 347 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting, and he shouldn't have much trouble surpassing 300 yards in this postseason showdown. 

Against playoff teams, the Packers gave up an average of 423 total yards of offense per game, meaning if the Giants play up to their potential, they're going to have a great day. 

The week of rest should definitely help the Packers, plus they know it's a playoff game so they'll have to step their game up. What's more, it's in Green Bay, so everything is looking good for the Packers.

However, this defense hasn't shown it can stop anyone, which is why they had better give New York their full attention. 

Surging New York 

The Giants have now won three games in a row, and the offense gets a great deal of credit for that.

Don't get me wrong, the defense is playing well too, but it's no secret that if New York hopes to beat Green Bay, the Giants have to match Rodgers score for score. The Giants can limit Rodgers and the Packers offense, but there's no way they're shutting him down. He's just too good.

Since the Giants know offensive success is very vital to moving on in the playoffs, expect them to continue playing at a high level.

Victory Cruz has been a great surprise this year, but he was held to just two catches against the Atlanta Falcons. He did however finish the year strong, with back-to-back games of over 100 yards receiving. In fact, Cruz had seven total games with over 100 yards receiving. 

If they focus too much on shutting down Cruz like Atlanta did, Hakeem Nicks will end up burning them. Nicks had 115 receiving yards on six receptions and also scored twice.

This New York offense is not one to mess around, and even though Manning has choked at times this season, after delivering a solid wild card game, he'll continue to play well for as long as the Giants are alive in postseason play.  

Good Fortune 

The last three teams to beat the Falcons in the playoffs all went on to play in the Super Bowl, but only one ended up winning it. 

Atlanta fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2004 playoffs then again to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2008 playoffs and last year to the Packers. 

New York has luck on its side, which is always a good thing. Of course, this is not a concern for Green Bay (or at least it shouldn't be), but rather a fun fact that is certainly worth noting. 

In the end, it's too hard to go against Rodgers, but the Giants have shown they're not a team to overlook. 

Don't automatically think that the since Green Bay dominated all season long, the Packers are a sure thing to come out with a victory. It'll be closer than what Vegas, and a number of Packers fans, have in mind.