Giants vs. Packers: Why New York and Green Bay Must Run the Football to Win

When the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers kickoff on Sunday in the NFC's divisional round, we have a matchup of two of the league's most potent pass offenses.

New York finished ranked No. 5 in averaging 296 passing yards per game, whereas Green Bay finished No. 3 in averaging 307.8 pass yards per game. Both Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers had excellent seasons and combined for 9,676 passing yards and 74 TDs.

Also, neither of their defenses performed well in defending the pass. The Giants allowed 255 pass yards per game and ranked No. 29 while the Packers were ranked dead last in allowing almost 300.

So why should each team consider a game plan that involves running the football? Because it will affect the opposition's offense and vulnerable defense.

We'll start with New York.

Giants Rush Offense vs. Packers Defense

Although the Giants finished No. 32 in rush offense by averaging only 89.2 yards per game on the ground, as we saw in the wild-card round, New York is capable of dominating the trenches when healthy.

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are among the best two-back tandems in the league. The problem is that they've had trouble with health and with Manning's ability to air it out, there hasn't been much reason to run either.

That being said, the Giants must run the ball more than expected because the Packers allow an average of 4.7 yards per carry which ranks No. 26 in the league. Additionally, Manning can be interception-prone on occasion.

And the Packers led the NFL by intercepting 31 passes, including a pick-six against New York that was the difference in their regular game. An effective rushing attack is what gives New York the best chance to win.

Green Bay's defense is so opportunistic against the pass that limiting those chances by running the ball will create a better passing attack. Yes, it's a cliche that they must run to setup the pass, however, it's more so having the ability to pass that is setting up the run.

The Packers have to be expecting pass as they are so vulnerable to it. So, if New York comes out slamming the trenches early, Eli can take flight late in the game after Green Bay is worn down.

Packers Rush Offense vs. Giants Defense

When Green Bay has to ball, they must have an effective rushing attack to strictly keep the Giants front seven honest. Regardless of when the Packers throw the ball, they will have success since New York is also weak at stopping any passing game.

The problem lies within their pass rush. Despite not being completely healthy until as of recent, the Giants still recorded 48 sacks in 2011 and have an array of menacing pass-rushers in Chris Canty, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul.

The more Rodgers drops back to pass, the more opportunities the Packers are giving the Giants to get excellent QB pressure. Sure, Rodgers' mobility will benefit early on, but as the game wears on he'll wear down as the Big Blue Wrecking Crew chases him all day.

New York's pass rush simply cannot be stopped for a full game. However, it can be held in check by a solid ground game. The Giants defense allowed 4.5 yards per carry (rank No. 23) and they allowed an average of 121.3 per game (rank No. 19).

So, Green Bay can have success on the ground and it will save Rodgers' energy for the most critical moments in the game. If not, the Packers will fall because the Giants have the best pass rush among all NFC playoff teams.

They'll cause turnovers and New York will steal one again in Titletown—unless the Packers decide to establish a running game that will eventually setup the pass as a bonus to saving Rodgers for late.

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