Giants vs. Packers: Green Bay's Play-Making Defense Will Steal NFC Spotlight

The Green Bay Packers' fast and furious defense will take center stage on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field against the New York Giants in the final NFL Divisional Playoff matchup of the weekend (4:30 PM ET, FOX).

The two teams will meet for the second time this season with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line. The first matchup back on Dec. 4, 2011 resulted in a 38-35 Packers' win in which Green Bay's defense forced two decisive turnovers.

The Pack's strip and pick of Giants' quarterback Eli Manning ultimately came back to haunt New York in the end. Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews intercepted Manning early in the second quarter and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. It was a tone-setting, game-changing play.

Green Bay's defense will do more of the same on Sunday afternoon. The Packers finished tied with the San Francisco 49ers during the regular season with the most takeaways. Each team forced 38 turnovers in 16 games, 31 of which were interceptions for the Packers—the most of any team in the NFL.

Now consider that Manning threw 16 interceptions during the regular season, including one against the Packers in week 13. If Green Bay's defense picks off nearly two passes per game this season and Manning throws at least one to the defense per game this season then the Packers are in store for at least one or two aerial takeaways.

The Giants are 4-7 this season when Manning throws an interception. Based on the aforementioned numbers he will have a hard time protecting the ball against this defense. This isn't the Atlanta Falcons' defense he's facing, but a Super Bowl champion defense that prides itself on making fools out of opposing offenses.

Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews are just two of the notable defensive playmakers that will be ball-hawking against New York. Woodson has eight forced turnovers this season, including seven interceptions. His presence in the running game will create the constant threat of a loose ball for the Giants' offense.

Matthews meanwhile can wreak havoc off the edge against any team; he forced six turnovers this season including the pick-six of Manning last December. 

The takeaway and scoring potential of the Packers' defense this season is a direct reflection of their 15-1 record and No. 1-seed status in the NFC Playoffs. Their bye week only makes them fresher and more dangerous.

The Giants are in store for a ferocious, playmaking defense on Sunday. The result won't be pretty for New York, rather a show-stealing effort from the Green Bay stoppers at Lambeau.