Giants vs. Packers: 5 Storylines to Watch in Divisional Round Matchup

The final matchup of the divisional round of the 2012 NFL playoffs features the New York Giants traveling to face the Green Bay Packers in a rematch of the 2008 NFC Championship, a sub-freezing affair won by the Giants 23-20 in overtime.

The weather for this game will be a fair bit less inclement, and given the offensive firepower on display for these two teams in their Week 13 shooutout (won 38-35 by Green Bay), it's reasonable to assume a few more points will be scored in this playoff meeting than the last one.

Here's a look at five storylines that are definitely worth monitoring as Sunday afternoon's contest unfolds.

1. Can the Giants Get Pressure Up Front?

The New York Giants ranked third in the National Football League in sacks in 2011 and boast one of the most formidable defensive lines in the NFL, headlined by star defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck.

It's vital that the Giants be able to get pressure on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers with their front four, which will enable them to drop more players into coverage in an effort to slow Green Bay's explosive aerial attack.

That puts added pressure on Pierre-Paul and the New York defensive line, who are going to need to win the battle at the line of scrimmage for the G-Men to have a chance.

2. Will Green Bay Get a Pack-Ented Takeaway?

No team in the NFL forced more takeaways in 2011 than the opportunistic Green Bay Packers with 38.

Turnovers were also a huge part of the first Giants-Packers tilt this season, as Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews returned an Eli Manning interception for a touchdown in that game.

With ball-hawks like cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams, as well as safety Morgan Burnett, prowling the Green Bay secondary, Manning will need to avoid a repeat today. The last thing you want to do is give the Packers extra opportunities or a short field to work with.

3. Can the Giants Establish the Run?

After ranking dead last in the NFL with an anemic 89.2 rushing yards per game in 2011, the New York Giants seemed to rediscover their running game in last week's big playoff win over the Atlanta Falcons.

In that game, running back Ahmad Bradshaw was dinged up, but he and bruiser Brandon Jacobs still combined to gash the Falcons for 172 yards.

It's very important that the Giants attempt to establish the run again against the Packers, as the easiest way to keep the prolific Green Bay offense from scoring is to not let them have the ball.

4. Will Greg Jennings Be Effective?

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings is one of the best players at his position in the NFL, with three seasons of over 1,000 yards in the past four years.

However, Jennings hasn't played a game since December 11th, and the six-year veteran may show some rust in coming back from his knee injury.

If last game's shootout was any indication, the Packers will need all hands on deck Sunday, so Jennings had better shake that rust off quickly.

5. What Will Be the Play of the Game?

In a contest such as this, a playoff game between two talented squads at the top of their games, one play can be the difference between a win and a loss.

So, you may be wondering, what will that play be?

I'll give you two.

After a closely contested first half, the Green Bay Packers will blow the game open a bit in the third quarter when an Eli Manning pass is intercepted by cornerback Tramon Williams and returned for a score.

The Giants will rally back, only to suffer another dagger when a punt late in the fourth quarter is returned for a score by Green Bay wideout Randall Cobb, putting the finishing touches on a game that the Packers will hold on to win 41-37.