A small part of me wants to see a 45-41 Green Bay Packers victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, with Jordan Love outdueling Jameis Winston in the shootout of the season. That would likely cool any interest the Giants may have in Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as they begin their search for a new coach.
Reporters are already connecting the New Jersey native to the job, and I say, ‘hands off.’ Clearly, he needs a few more years of seasoning, right? Right?
OK, back to reality. The Packers find themselves at a crossroads after losing back-to-back games at Lambeau. With three divisional games looming following this one, their season may be defined by their play over the next month.
More specifically, whether Matt LaFleur can figure out how to get his offense in gear. It all comes down to the play up front, and the line’s inability to run block, which was the unit’s identity last season when Josh Jacobs mowed down opponents every week. The Packers rank 25th in success rate on first down and 26th at just 3.9 yards per carry. That won’t cut it if this offense is to take off.
The reshaped offensive line has been a disaster, beginning with Aaron Banks at left guard; we can only hope his assortment of injuries has been the cause of his lousy play. Jordan Morgan is now entrenched at right guard, even though most believe he’s best suited to be a tackle. Sean Rhyan steps in at center for Elgton Jenkins and will be auditioning to keep the job in ’26 and beyond.
If this unit can’t win against New York’s putrid run defense, we could be looking at a long second half of the season. They rank 31st in the league, giving up 152 yards per game on the ground and 5.5 yards per carry. That’s where you attack the Giants, because their first-round studded defensive line is a pass-rush unit first and foremost. This needs to be a Josh Jacobs game.
New York will be without Kayvon Thibodeaux up front; his backup, Chauncey Golston, is also out. Fellow lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches and safety Tyler Nubin are doubtful, and linebacker Bobby Okereke is questionable.
It’s a banged-up defense that tends to hold up for a half or so before falling apart. That should align perfectly with Green Bay’s slow-starting offense, which hopefully won’t have to rely on Bo Melton again, with Doubs, Watson, Golden, and Wicks all good to go.
This game got a lot more interesting when the Giants axed Brian Daboll early in the week. His interim replacement, Mike Kafka, announced that Jameis Winston would replace Russell Wilson, with rookie phenom Jaxson Dart out with a concussion suffered during the Bears game. Will the team respond to the changes and give the Packers fits? Or are they too banged up for it to make a difference?
Typically, you see a team with a new coach play well in this spot. Still, they are missing their three best playmakers on offense in the electric Dart, rookie phenom Cam Skattebo, and the great Malik Nabers, and it’s hard to see them keeping up with the Pack, assuming the offense shows up.
Winston is a wild card for sure. He’s a great leader and could get the most out of his unit, but he’ll be without WR Darius Slayton and will lean on Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Theo Johnson in the passing game. Running back Devin Singletary is also dangerous as a pass catcher. The Packers are healthy on defense and may get Lukas Van Ness back this week. They should have a big edge in this matchup, and it wouldn’t at all be surprising to see former Giant Xavier McKinney pick one off against the benevolent Winston.
I’d love nothing more than to see the Pack take out their frustrations on the Giants and waltz to an easy victory. But I remember their last visit two years ago when QB Tommy Cutlets became a folk hero in leading them to the upset. I’ve seen this team play down to its competition all season. They are 0-4 against the spread when favored by four or more this season. The spread was seven all week and dipped to 6 ½ on Friday. Money is coming in on the Giants. Don’t blame them.
Packers 20
Giants 16