The Green Bay Packers passed up a chance to seize an opportunity to be in firm control of their playoff destiny. With things starting to click for the offense, and an improved defensive display over the past few weeks, a win against a 4-8 New York Giants team did not seem it would be an issue!
Green Bay Packers Slow Start
The offense just started out bad. Not really in any sort of rhythm, two straight drives ended in a punt. Then a silly special teams play gave the Giants prime field position in their own territory. Luckily this short field resulted in a missed field goal, but it was a sign of things to come.
The ensuing drive had a really heads up play from Dontayvion Wicks who initially looked short of the first down, but he stretched the ball over as he was falling out of bounds in a really heads up play. Jayden Reed would go on to run it into the end zone from the 16.
At this moment it seemed like the rough start had been shaken off, and that everything was about to go according to plan.
But from here the Giants would score a touchdown that was unleashed through the running game. The Packers defense just could not stop a scrambling Tommy DeVito and really proved to continue to be an issue throughout the night.
Green Bay Packers Odd Playing
Offensively there was a fumble, pick, and missed field goal attempt after a bad snap. The offense did not look in synch, and Jordan Love looked like the less experienced quarterback on the field.
Meanwhile a muffed punt, gifted the Giants another short field. This time the Giants finished it off with another DeVito scramble, and Saquon Barkley capping the score off with a run. The Green Bay Packers team as a defense gave up a little over 200 yards rushing. Credit DeVito, he looked more composed, he made plays, and his receivers helped him out with some great individual displays of skill when called upon.
For Jordan Love, he did not look nearly as comfortable in the pocket, the pressure was getting to him more, and his passes, even his completions sailed on him, just like it did on the careless interception. In an attempt to jump start the offense, some trick plays were called that fooled the offense more so than the Giants.
Just in general, the defense looked like they were playing it safe, and the players played like they were playing it too safe. On both sides of the ball, the Green Bay Packers were on the receiving end of the aggression, and punishing contact.
Green Bay Packers Gift
Despite all of this, the Giants were willing to fumble the game away. Down by five, after another big gain on the ground by Barkley that should have milked a lot of the game away, he inexplicably stumbled and coughed the ball up on to the turf.
After a great return by Carrington Valentine, the offense completed a drive. Scoring on a spectacular catch and body control display by Malik Heath. They played the way it would have been nice for them to have been playing all evening, they played with more urgency, and were more decisive in their movement.
Forced to go for two, to make it a three point game, the outside run really looked like it never stood a chance. So it was up to the defense to make a stop.
The ending game winning drive for the Giants really showed what can be so frustrating to watch as a fan. Teams will elect to play it safe, give up small plays, and the opposing team is usually able to march it down the field with little resistance.
Green Bay Packers Takeaways
This is one of those games that the coaching staff will use in the film room as what not to do, especially in critical moments of the game. Games like this one are going to happen with a young team, being inconsistent, and maybe believing a little too much that they should win games as favorites against perceived weaker rosters.
For tonight, the Green Bay Packers were out coached and didn’t match the effort of their opponent. Their playoff spot as a wild card is mostly still in their hands, but losing a winnable game, they way they did may come back to haunt this team.
