Packers vs. Giants: Green Bay's Rushing Attack Will End New York's Run

I know what you're thinking:  

Wait, this guy thinks the Green Bay Packers are going to beat the New York Giants by running the ball? Does he know the Packers are third in passing yards, but 27th in rushing this season? Should I get ranch or blue-cheese dressing to go with the wings this afternoon?

As for your third question, I say go with blue cheese.

Per the second question, yes, I am aware that the Packers were far more effective moving the ball through the air than on the ground this year.

Now, let's address question No. 1.

I would be crazy if I didn't think the Packers would center their offensive attack around Aaron Rodgers and the passing attack. After all, when these teams first met in Week 13, Rodgers threw for 369 yards, four touchdowns and led a game-winning drive in the Packers' 38-35 victory.

But I would also be crazy if I didn't think that the majority of the Giants' defensive strategy would revolve around pressuring Rodgers and slowing down the Packers passing attack.

And as we saw when the Pittsburgh Steelers stacked the box to slow the run and were burnt by Tim Tebow effectively throwing down the field in the wild-card round, over-emphasizing one aspect of a team's offense in your defensive game plan can lead to disastrous results.

This isn't to say that Green Bay's running game will be the focus of their attack. When you have Aaron Rodgers, that's madness. But if the Packers can be efficient when they do run the ball, how exactly are the Giants going to stop them?

Remember, it was in last year's postseason that James Starks emerged as a threat in Green Bay's ground attack, rushing for 3.9 yards per carry, 315 yards and a touchdown in four games. His 123-yard performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round was particularly key in a 21-16 victory.

Much like it was in that game, it would be a strategic surprise to see the Packers turn to the ground attack, and a tactic that would likely put a Giants defense prepped to stop the pass on tilt early. And the Giants were already 19th against the rush this year.

Add the element of surprise, and who knows?

It would also serve the Packers well later in the game, especially if they jump out to an early lead and want to avoid the "last-team-with-the-ball-wins" shootout they found themselves in the last time these teams met.

Often, it is what a team doesn't expect from their opponent that factors in a game's outcome. Today, I expect the Packers to surprise the Giants by efficiently running the ball early and late, and in the process, sway the game in their favor.

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