NFL Playoff Picks: New York Giants Will Expose Green Bay Packers' Weaknesses

The New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers will meet for a second time this season in an NFC Divisional Round battle.

Green Bay won the Week 13 matchup in New York (38-35) on a last-play field goal after Aaron Rodgers orchestrated a five-play game winning drive that began with just 58 seconds remaining.

The Packers will face a much different Giants team this time around—one that is healthy for the first time all season and firing on all cylinders in the postseason.

Let's examine four weaknesses the Giants will look to expose this weekend in Green Bay.

1. Eli Manning vs. Historically Bad Packers' Pass Defense

The Green Bay Packers pass defense allowed 4,796 passing yards (299.8 yards per game) this season—only the most passing yards allowed in NFL history.  

To put that number into perspective, the Pittsburgh Steelers allowed 2,751 passing yards this season. Yes, the Packers actually gave up over 2,000 more passing yards than another team that plays in the same league as they do.

Eli Manning and the best wide receiving trio in the NFL—Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham—must be licking their chops as they dream about this matchup.

Manning threw for 347 yards in the Week 13 matchup, and don't be surprised if he tops 400 on Sunday against this porous Green Bay pass defense.

2. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs vs. Packers Front 7

If for whatever reason the Giants get tired of throwing the ball all over the Packers secondary, they can always choose to start pounding Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw against one of the league's worst rush defenses.

Green Bay ranks 26th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (4.7) and 14th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (111.8)—a number that would be much higher if their opponents ever decided to quit throwing the ball on every play.

Jacobs and Bradshaw combined for 155 yards on 28 carries (5.5 yards per carry) last week against a Falcons run defense that came in allowing just 97 yards per game and ranked sixth in the NFL.

3. Giants Pass Rush vs. Banged Up Packers Offensive Line

Healthy for the first time all year, the New York Giants pass rush is playing on another level right now.

Bolstered by the return of Osi Umenyiora, the Giants boast the top pass rushing unit in the NFL with Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul completing a monster trio of elite defensive linemen.

The Giants defense has racked up 13 sacks in their last three games and will be going up against a Packers offensive line that will be intact for the first time since Week 10.

Left tackle Chad Clifton does make his return this week after missing 10 games—just in time for his matchup with First Team All-Pro defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.  

Clifton will have his hands full as he tries to shake off the rust from only playing in six games this season.  

4. Packers "Running Game" vs. Giants Rush Defense

The Packers rank 27th in the NFL in rushing offense averaging just 97.4 yards per game.

Green Bay's lack of any real threat in the running game will allow the New York Giants' pass rush to pin it's ears back and tee off on quarterback Aaron Rodgers all day long.  

Ryan Grant is the Packers' featured back and is averaging just 37.3 yards per game on 4.2 yards per carry.

When you know your opponent is going to throw the ball on nearly every play, things become much easier for the defense—especially one with an elite pass rush.

If the Packers continue to be predictable on offense they will all be watching the NFC Championship Game from the comfort of their own living rooms next weekend.