Giants vs. Packers: Key Players Who Will Dictate Outcome of NFC Showdown

The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers are both looking for answers as they enter their Week 11 clash from MetLife Stadium.

New York sits at just 3-6. While three straight wins are great, questions abound on both sides of the football. The defense is playing well, but can quarterback Eli Manning elevate his play?

Things are much simpler for 5-4 Green Bay. One question is the focal point and remains the most important above all else—can the Packers remain competitive without quarterback Aaron Rodgers and stay in the NFC North race (tied for second entering the weekend)?

We'll see these questions addressed Sunday in what appears to be at face value an even matchup. Here are three players who will ultimately decide the game.

Scott Tolzien, QB, Green Bay Packers

Scott Tolzien is the man tasked with taking over for Aaron Rodgers.

No pressure.

Tolzien played about as expected last week against Philadelphia after he was called upon. He threw for 280 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on a 24-of-39 effort.

Those numbers are especially impressive when taking into account Tolzien was running the majority of those plays for the first time in his career, according to Packer coordinator Tom Clements (via Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel):

Impressive.

Now Tolzien must go on the road and take on a New York defense that allows just 226.9 yards through the air per game.

A week of actual practice is nice, but Tolzien is going to need some help. Which brings us to our next person of interest...

Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers

If Tolzien is to find success through the air, he needs Eddie Lacy to remain relevant on the ground.

Last week Lacy struggled. He rushed 24 times for just 73 yards for an average of 3.0 yards per carry. Lacy is a workhorse, but it for the Green Bay passing attack to flourish, Lacy and the running game need to be more productive.

Part of the issue for Lacy last week was Tolzien. It's a bit simpler to find running lanes with Rodgers under center. Defenses have yet to respect Tolzien.

Alas, Lacy has been a major part of the attack no matter who is under center. Fox Sports illustrates this nicely:

The New York run defense allows 102.8 yards per game—good for a borderline top-10 ranking. Now more than ever the rookie Lacy needs to come through and help his team keep its NFC North title aspirations alive.

Andre Brown, RB, New York Giants

Manning has struggled all season and has thrown 11 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. Much of the blame can fall on the lack of support he receives from his running game.

Not anymore.

Last week Andre Brown returned from injury and had a major day. Brown carried the ball 30 times for 115 yards and a touchdown in a win over Oakland. Manning still threw a touchdown and interception, but it's a start.

Now New York has a balanced offense that can hurt defenses in a variety of ways. Green Bay allows 106.7 rushing yards per game, so we'll find out in a hurry whether Brown can sustain that success now that he's healthy.

If he can, the ripple effect on the rest of the offense will be huge. It's nice that the Giants won't have to partake in a shootout with Rodgers, but plenty of production still is needed for a win.

Brown can do that and so much more.

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