Packers vs. Giants: 10 Players to Watch During Key NFC Showdown

As the Green Bay Packers head to MetLife Stadium seeking to continue their winning streak, they will face a New York Giants squad that's starving for a win.

Will Tom Coughlin's crew bounce back from Monday's loss and give the Packers a run for their money? Is Mike McCarthy's well-oiled machine just too good? The Giants will be fighting for survival, but it might not matter if Green Bay is on top of their game.

We'll be seeing and hearing plenty about Aaron Rodgers and his fleet of receivers this weekend, so who are the other players to keep an eye on?

Here are 10 players who could make a huge impact in Sunday's game.

Prince Amukamara

Giants rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara will be making his third NFL start Sunday after missing the first 10 weeks of the season with a foot injury. Drew Brees gave New York's secondary all they could handle Monday, and it gets no easier against the Pack attack.

Amukamara has shown glimpses of high-caliber play, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses in his third game as a pro.

It's a tall task to even slow down Green Bay, but I want to see how Amukamara and Antrel Rolle handle this adversity. If they can step up their game, it might give the pass rush a chance to frustrate Rodgers.

Randall Cobb

Green Bay rookie punt/kick returner Randall Cobb has been electrifying this season, racking up 951 total return yards on 45 returns.

He's not only exciting to watch and a threat to cripple the Giants with a touchdown, but he's a critical field-position tool for the Packers. He consistently puts the offense in a favorable situation when he returns kicks.

If he consistently returns kicks and punts to the 30 or 40, he's essentially giving Aaron Rodgers half the field to work with. The Giants special teams unit will have to be sharp, or this game could get out of hand early.

Justin Tuck

New York might need more than firefighting gear to stop the scorching Packers. With Osi Umenyiora sidelined, defensive end Justin Tuck needs to raise his game if the Giants want to extinguish Green Bay's offense.

Tuck has been a shadow of his usual self this season, with just 19 tackles and two sacks all season. He's had nagging injuries and a worse supporting cast, but this Sunday is his chance to show his leadership and competitiveness.

A poor showing by Tuck will allow Rodgers to get in a groove and render New York's defense harmless. Can he shake off the ankle and shoulder issues and play like a premiere defensive end? 

Evan Dietrich-Smith

Packers right guard Josh Sitton is doubtful for Sunday's game due to his knee injury, so Evan Dietrich-Smith will probably get the start for Green Bay.

The second-year pro out of Idaho State has the task of protecting the consensus NFL MVP and his explosive offense. A poor performance by Dietrich-Smith could give the Giants a chance to frustrate Rodgers and keep the game close. A good performance by Dietrich-Smith will likely lead to a convincing Packers triumph.

He filled in nicely last week against Detroit, and I don't see why he won't against New York.

Ahmad Bradshaw

Ahmad Bradshaw says he will be ready to go for Sunday's game, but his foot injury was still serious enough to keep him out of Thursday's practice.

Despite missing a few games, he still leads the Giants in rushing with 440 yards and five touchdowns. His presence would help New York maintain a balanced offense if he is healthy. The Giants' running game is in desperate need of some help, and Bradshaw could bring some life back to their backfield.

Bradshaw's not an elite back or a home run threat, but he's the consistent rusher that Coughlin needs right now.

Keep an eye on his status for the game. If he's activated, see how many carries he gets early on in the game. We should know by the end of the first quarter whether he is going to be effective enough to be a positive factor.

Charles Woodson

Giants quarterback Eli Manning will be looking to do some aerial damage against the Packers, who have the second-worst pass defense in the league.

Veteran cornerback Charles Woodson has been a bright spot for Green Bay's defense by registering 49 tackles, six interceptions and two sacks. His leadership of the secondary (and the secondary's chemistry in general) will be key in preventing Manning from throwing anywhere he chooses.

Woodson is a fun corner to watch because he's got great instincts and playmaking skills. Let's see how he does against New York wideouts Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz.

Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul will be stepping into Osi Umenyiora's starting spot this weekend while Umenyiora recovers from injury.

Pierre-Paul has 10.5 sacks this season, and a few more Sunday would help give the Giants defense a chance to limit Aaron Rodgers' effectiveness. More importantly, he just needs to rush Rodgers and get a few hurries and knockdowns to throw off his rhythm. The Green Bay offense is in sync this year, and it has plenty to do with rhythm and timing.

Pierre-Paul needs to use his large frame and athleticism to try and throw off that timing.

Desmond Bishop

Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson still get most of the headlines for the Packers defense, but linebacker Desmond Bishop has been all over the place for Green Bay. His versatility is a phenomenal asset for their 3-4 defense.

He leads the team in tackles and is tied for the team lead in sacks. Unfortunately, his calf injury is still hampering him. 

Bishop's status is uncertain for this weekend, and he was kept out of practice Thursday. Even if he is healthy enough to play, he might not be 100 percent.

Victor Cruz

You wouldn't know New York is on a three-game skid if you looked at the recent highlights and statistics for Victor Cruz. He snagged three touchdowns in their last two games, and the Giants will need him to find the end zone again in order to keep pace with the Packers.

Cruz has been extremely productive lately. He is averaging 112 receiving yards per game over the last five contests, including a 157-yard barrage on Monday night. Manning will continue to target Cruz, and Giants fans better hope he has 100-plus yards and at least one touchdown to give them a chance to win.

James Starks

Green Bay is cruising thanks to a prolific passing attack that could probably score touchdowns blindfolded. But their running game hasn't seen much action and hasn't been too productive.

We're getting into the winter months, and while that won't stop Rodgers from being effective, it does mean that the Packers may run the ball a little more. If James Starks' ankle is fresh, he could see an uptick in carries this week.

He's averaging 4.5 yards per carry this season, and if he keeps that consistency up, the Giants will have to stay honest on defense. That will open up more for the passing game, as if it needs any help.