Preview: Packers look to rebound from reality check

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Since meeting in the NFC wild-card game in January 2017, the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants have followed the same path for a couple of seasons.

Neither made the playoffs the past two years and both fired the coaches who got them to the postseason in the 2016 season. The Giants got rid of Ben McAdoo in late 2017 and the Packers dumped long-time coach Mike McCarthy 12 games into the ’18 season.



Pat Shurmur is now in his second season running the Giants and Matt LaFleur is in his first with the Pack. Their roads also have gone in much different directions.

LaFleur and the Packers (8-3) are tied for first place in the NFC North with Minnesota heading into a game Sunday at MetLife Stadium against the Giants (2-9), who have won seven times in 27 games under Shurmur.

Good times seemingly have returned for the Packers, though they need a quick rebound from being routed at San Francisco. The Giants remain in the dumps, with three straight losing seasons and six in seven years.

The Packers got a reality check this past Sunday night in a 38-7 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco. LaFleur sidestepped a question on whether he was curious to see how his team responded this week, saying they were just looking for the chance to play again.

They certainly have to right opponent.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley, the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, says things have not gone the way the organization wanted the past two seasons, and everyone is fighting through the adversity with the belief things are going to change.

“You’ve got to believe it first for it to actually happen,” Barkley said. “If you don’t believe in it, it will never happen. That’s why it’s important because it starts there. Not only myself but everyone in this locker room, we believe, we’re going to continue to believe, going to continue to work and try to finish this season off as strong as we can— starting off with the Packers, who are a great team.”

MR. JONES

The rookie quarterback has thrown a touchdown in nine straight games and his 17 lead all rookies. He has thrown only one interception in the last four games, while passing for 11 touchdowns. His problem remains fumbles. He has lost 10 fumbles, including one against the Bears that led to a 3-yard touchdown drive.

MR. RODGERS

Aaron Rodgers is having another great season. He has 18 touchdown passes and two interceptions. What might he do against the Giants’ secondary?

Rookie DeAndre Baker and second-year pro Sam Beal started alternating at one cornerback spot last week. Rookie cornerback Corey Balentine struggled in the slot against the Bears and rookie Julian Love will get more playing time at safety with Jabrill Peppers nursing a back injury. The only veterans are cornerback Janoris Jenkins and safety Antoine Bethea.

MR. JONES AGAIN

The Packers need to get running back Aaron Jones more active in the passing game. His production has dipped since receiver Davante Adams returned from turf toe. Adams has caught seven passes in each of his three games back. Jones, who has 11 rushing touchdowns, has caught one of four targets for minus-1 yard.

In the three games before Adams returned to the lineup, Jones had 15 catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns. LaFleur wants him more involved this week.

ALDRICK ROSAS

The Giants’ third-year placekicker went to the Pro Bowl last season, making 32 of 33 field goal attempts and 31 of 32 PATs. The consistency has not carried over. He is 8 of 12 on field goals this season and 21 of 24 on extra points. He has missed either a field goal or an extra point in five straight games. He missed two field goal attempts (42, 43 yards) in last weekend’s five-point loss to the Bears. He also had a kickoff go out of bounds, giving Chicago the ball at its 40.

O-LINE CONCERNS

The Packers allowed the 49ers to sack Rodgers five times on Sunday night. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga injured his right knee and left the game. Alex Light replaced him but struggled.

Watch the right side of the line. If Bulaga doesn’t go, Light might get the start. Or right guard Billy Turner might move out to tackle. That would give Lucas Patrick a chance to start at right guard. The Giants might look to exploit the injury.

“Our goal is just to put our best five out there and we’ll go from there,” LaFleur said.

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GREEN BAY (8-3) at NEW YORK GIANTS (2-9)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

OPENING LINE - Packers by 7

RECORD VS. SPREAD - Packers 7-4, Giants 4-7

SERIES RECORD - Packers lead 33-26-2

LAST MEETING - Packers beat Giants 38-13, Jan. 8, 2017 (NFC wild-card game)

LAST WEEK - Packers lost to 49ers 37-8; Giants lost to Bears 19-14

AP PRO32 RANKING - Packers No. 7, Giants No. 31

PACKERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (21), RUSH (19), PASS (20).

PACKERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (28), RUSH (26), PASS (23).

GIANTS OFFENSE - OVERALL (25), RUSH (21), PASS (22).

GIANTS DEFENSE - OVERALL (27), RUSH (22), PASS (26).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Green Bay won last two against Giants, is tied for first in NFC North with Minnesota with five games left in regular season. ...QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 362 yards and four touchdowns in wild-card win in last meeting. ... RB Aaron Jones has six rushing touchdowns in four games vs. NFC East, needs 19 yards from scrimmage for first 1,000-yard season. ... Jamaal Williams tied career high with seven catches last week, ranks second among running backs with five TD catches. ... WR Davante Adams had seven catches, including TD last week. He has 13 catches for 210 yards and two TDs in two games against Giants. ... Za’Darius Smith (10) and fellow Packers LB Preston Smith (10 1/2) are only teammates with at least 10-plus sacks this season. ... LB Blake Martinez leads team with 108 tackles. ... Coach Matt LaFleur needs one win to tie Mike Holmgren, Mike Sherman for most by Packers head coach in first season. ... Giants have lost seven straight. Last eight-game skid was 2004. ... QB Daniel Jones threw for season-low 150 yards last weekend, but leads rookies with 17 TD passes, including at least one in all nine starts. ... . ... New York was 1 of 12 on third downs against Bears. ... RB Saquon Barkley hasn’t had 100-yard rushing game since Week 2. ... Rookie WR Darius Slayton has four TD catches in last four games. ... Rookie TE Kaden Smith had first career TD catch last week. ... LB Markus Golden looks for sack in third straight outing, leads team with 7½. ... Rookie S Julian Love had first career interception at Chicago. ... PK Aldrick Rosas has missed either PAT or field goal attempt in five straight games. ... Fantasy tip: Packers’ No. 28-ranked defense finally could get Barkley going. He’s been facing good run defenses and now might wake up against struggling one. Expect 100-yard game rushing and score.