Giants vs. Packers: Green Bay Loss Will Halt NFL's Pass-Happy Focus

The NFL has largely gone the route of passing to set up the run, but the game will always be about establishing the run and getting defensive stops. The Green Bay Packers will be the latest pass-happy team sobered by this reality.

The New York Giants, the Packers' divisional playoff foe, have depended on the pass a bit too much throughout the regular season. In their case, it is largely due to a banged up offensive line and backfield. Last week, we saw the type of football the Giants want to play.

The Giants had a near 50/50 split in run and pass distribution against the Falcons. They had 31 rush attempts to 32 passes. The Giants need a balanced attack again to knock off the Packers. The Giants know, in a sense, this is similar to their Super Bowl run.

The Patriots offense in 2008 seemed unstoppable. The Giants nasty defensive line, which is very similar this year, pressured Tom Brady and held them to only 14 points in executing one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.

Another upset is on tap today. The Packers don't run the football, and more importantly, they don't stop the run. In the playoffs, that is almost always a death wish. 

Only the Colts in 2006 were able to overcome a less than favorable run defense and run offense. The Colts were out rushed by 1,000 yards that year, but they had the top-ranked pass offense and the second-ranked pass defense. The Packers certainly can throw it, but they have given up tons of yardage through the air as well.

In key situations this year, the Packers run defense has been blasted. The Chiefs ran for 139 yards against the Packers defense, when the Pack knew it was coming, as KC salted the clock away.

The Bears went for 199 yards on the ground against the Packers the following week. I contend, just as deceiving as the Packers 32nd-ranked pass defense is, due to teams playing catch up, the run defense numbers are misleading as well.

More telling is how they've performed in key situations like the Chiefs game. The Packers' fail will be the first step in halting the pass-happy focus in the NFL.

We all know, teams emulate the schemes and philosophy of successful teams. Green Bay won't have postseason success this way.

The final step will be when the country watches the San Francisco 49ers battle the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl, highlighted by defense and great running games.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter