Giants vs. Packers: Green Bay Players Most to Blame for Stunning Loss

The Green Bay Packers came into the NFL playoffs as clear favorites to win it all, but they just didn't look like that team in their divisional round loss to the New York Giants. Nobody deserves more blame for the loss than the players.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was outplayed by the Giants' Eli Manning, while wide receiver Hakeem Nicks made the Packers' elite receiving corp look—well not.

This was clearly not the same Packers team that went 15-1 this past season, but it is all said and down, and they ultimately failed to finish what they started.

These guys just didn't show up on Sunday like they had over the course of the entire season.

Jermichael Finley

With the team down by seven and in possession, the Green Bay Packers were looking to get back into the game to start the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had wide open Jermichael Finley on a third and five attempt, but the tight end was unable to hold on to the pass. The team went for it on fourth down, but the New York Giants made it into the backfield and sacked Rodgers.

The result was turnover on downs and pretty much the end of the game, as the Giants converted a field goal and then a touchdown on their next two drives.

With just under two minutes left in the game, Rodgers went for Finley once again, but the pass resulted in an interception.

While some of the blame can be put onto Rodgers, Finley just didn't play like he had all season long.

Charles Woodson

Despite being one of the most elite cornerbacks in the league, Charles Woodson failed to record one tackle in this entire game.

The Green Bay Packers could not stop New York Giants' wide receiver Hakeem Nicks as he torched the secondary for 165 yards and two scores.

While Nicks wasn't always his responsibility, as Charlie Peprah also took coverage, the mere fact that he didn't record one tackle or turnover the entire game was just not like Woodson.

The Packers have never been ones to brag about their pass defense, but they have an elite cornerback in Woodson. He failed to show up on Sunday, and ultimately didn't help this team in stopping quarterback Eli Manning and the Giants.

Aaron Rodgers

Was that Aaron Rodgers on the field this Sunday? I swear, that looked nothing like the great Green Bay Packers' quarterback.

Perhaps he was just rundown from carrying this offense all season. Maybe the New York Giants knew they would really just have to stop the passing attack. Either way Rodgers just seemed ineffective this past weekend—at least to his standards.

Rodgers was kept under 300 yards passing, while tossing two touchdowns and an interception. He averaged only 5.7 yards per pass, well below his 9.25 average this season.

He was extremely effective in the running game, gaining a total of 66 yards on seven carries. That just isn't what he does though, and it won't ever get things done in the end.

Passes that he would usually complete in his sleep just were not happening, including the drop by tight end Jermichael Finley in the early parts of the fourth quarter.

While Finley should have made that catch, the pass was a little off.

It was just weird that he struggled so much against this Giants' defense.

Rodgers tore them up back in Week 14, throwing for 369 yards with four touchdowns while playing on the road. This matchup at home should have been much easier.

No. 12 still had a great season, but unfortunately one of his worst performances had to come at the wrong time.

Greg Jennings

Where was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL this past Sunday?

The Green Bay Packers main threat Greg Jennings was nowhere to be seen, only bringing in four catches for 40 yards.

Oddly, that was good enough to be the teams' second best receiver output.

Jennings was needed in this game to make the Packers elite. But he was unable.

He was targeted seven times, but was only able to catch four. He was in no way a deep threat, as the Giants had him covered well.

They really needed him to break free, but his inability to do so depleted this Packers' passing attack.

Ryan Grant

It is no secret that the Green Bay Packers lack a running game, but they really needed Ryan Grant to finally show up to give this game a change of speed.

The New York Giants were going to be all over Aaron Rodgers and the passing game, so it was important for Grant to make the most of each of his opportunities.

Well, he didn't.

The team only gave him eight carries that he turned in for 33 yards. While that is impressive at first, one has to remember that one of his carries was for 19 yards. If you take out that one huge run, you go from 4.1 yards per carry to just 2.3. 

Backup James Starks was able to come in provide some relief, taking six carries for 43 yards. While he also had one huge carry for 29 yards, he just looked much better when given the ball.

There is no denying that the Packers greatest need is a stud running back. Starks has potential to fill that role, but Grant has run out of time in Green Bay.