The New York Giants are struggling after a 2-0 start, dropping two games in a row and coming off an uninspired effort on Monday Night Football. Things won’t get any easier when they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
Giants vs. Packers 2016 live stream: How to watch ‘Sunday Night Football’ online
The Packers are fresh off a bye week and host the Giants, who are trying to recover from Monday night’s drubbing.
The Giants were no match for the Minnesota Vikings’ defense last week, fading away in a 24-10 loss. Minnesota’s secondary completely shut down the Giants’ talented trio of wide receivers, holding Odell Beckham Jr. to just three catches 23 yards on nine targets. Eli Manning was stifled by the blanket pass defense, often forced to check down to his running backs or just throw the ball into the turf. The running game couldn’t get anything going without Rashad Jennings or Shane Vereen -- Orleans Darkwa got the start but ended with just 48 yards on 12 carries.
But a more worrying sign has to be the defense, which saw some pricey free additions over the offseason. The Giants failed to bring down Sam Bradford on Monday night and have just four sacks on the year, tied for worst in the league. They’re also dead last in takeaways with zero interceptions and one fumble recovery. For a unit that’s supposedly improved on paper, the Giants haven’t made the big defensive plays they need to become a real factor in the NFC playoff race.
That’s a real problem going up against an Aaron Rodgers offense, which is starting to heat up and had a bye week to rest. The Packers had a concerning slow start after last season’s extended slump, but they calmed a lot of fears with a strong 34-27 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 3. Rodgers threw for four touchdown passes, all of them in the first half, as the Packers jumped out to a 31-3 halftime lead.
That said, there are still concerns about this team despite being 2-1. The defense allowed the Lions to get back into the game, with Marvin Jones exploding for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Although the Lions’ comeback effort fell short, just getting to within one possession has to be worrying for the Packers, who have a habit of taking their foot off the gas pedal in the Mike McCarthy era. Green Bay could only manage a single field goal in the second half.
Despite the near comeback, there are reasons for hope in Green Bay. Jordy Nelson is getting closer to his old self, with 17 catches for 206 yards and four touchdowns in just three games. Eddie Lacy is averaging 5 yards per carry after managing only 4.1. With the offense getting back on track, the Packers have enough firepower to withstand a defense that’s still banged up by injuries.
Sam Shields is out another week with a concussion, but Clay Matthews and Morgan Burnett are expected to return, which should boost a defense that ranks 13th in yards allowed per game. Shields’ absence should be a boon for Beckham, who was erased by Xavier Rhodes in the Giants’ Week 4 loss. The Giants also have injury concerns in their secondary, with Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie both listed as questionable.
How to watch
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Place: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc.
TV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
Online: NBC Sports Live
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