Giants Packers Spread


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The Green Bay Packers host the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday, January 15th. This will be a rematch from Week 13, which saw the Packers squeak out a 38-35 road victory over the Giants. New York would tie the game with 58 seconds left on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks. However, the Packers still had plenty of time left, and they moved the ball right down the field to set up Mason Crosby’s game-winning 30-yard field goal as time expired.

Oddsmakers in Las Vegas have installed a spread of Green Bay -7.5 over New York and a total set of 52.5 points.

Green Bay

The Packers are primed to defend their Super Bowl title from last season after putting together the best record in the NFL. Green Bay (15-1) suffered their only loss of the season in Week 15 to the Kansas City Chiefs. They would clinch the No. 1 seed with a victory over the Chicago Bears a week later, and they even beat the Detroit Lions in Week 17 despite resting several starters, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

With a first-round bye, the Packers have had time to get healthy. Wide receiver Greg Jennings, tackle Bryan Bulaga, and cornerback Charles Woodson will all be returning from injuries that kept them out down the stretch of the regular season. The Packers are in much better shape heading into the playoffs health-wise than they were last year, yet they still found a way to win the Super Bowl last season. With Rodgers under center, their chances of a repeat are pretty good.

Rodgers completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 4,643 yards with 45 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He threw for 369 and four scores in his first meeting with the Giants. Jordy Nelson had a breakout year for Green Bay, catching 68 balls for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns. He scored at least one TD in all eight home games this year. Jennings chipped in 67 receptions for 949 yards and nine scores despite missing the final three games of the season.

Green Bay led the league in scoring this season at 35.0 points per game. They were also ranked third in total offense at 405.1 yards per contest. The Packers ranked second in the league in turnover margin at +24 as well. That stat helped them make up for a poor season defensively. The Packers were dead last (32nd) in total defense at 411.6 yards per game surrendered. However, they gave up a respectable 22.4 points per game as they buckled down in the red zone.

New York

The Giants have saved their best football for last. New York (9-7, 1-0 playoffs) got off to a fast 6-2 start this season and appeared to be the best team in the NFC East. However, they would lose their next four games before going 3-1 over their final four to make the playoffs. They won the NFC East with a 31-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17. New York would take care of business in the wild card round last Sunday, knocking off Atlanta 24-2.

The Giants were absolutely dominant on both side of the ball in their win over the Falcons. Their defense would have pitched a shutout if not for a safety after an intentional grounding penalty on Eli Manning. But Manning would make up for it, throwing for 277 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. The Giants also rushed for 172 yards as a team, including a combined 155 yards on 28 carries from Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. New York’s defense held Atlanta to just 247 total yards in the win.

Manning has carried this team all season. He completed 61.0 percent of his passes for 4,933 yards with 29 touchdowns and 16 interceptions during the regular season. That includes a 347-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Packers on December 4th. Victor Cruz came out of nowhere to lead the team in receiving with 82 grabs for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. Fellow 1,000-yard receiver Hakeem Nicks finished with 76 receptions for 1,192 yards and seven scores.

New York has continued winning in spite of a poor running game and a soft defense. The Giants ranked last (32nd) in the league in rushing (89.2 yards/game) and 27th in total defense (376.4 yards/game). They also surrendered 25.0 points/game defensively. New York has been able to run the football much better over the past two weeks. They have rushed for a combined 276 yards (138/game) in wins over the Cowboys and Falcons. The Giants will need to be more balanced and continue to gain consistent yards on the ground if they want to beat Green Bay Sunday.

Betting Trends

The Giants are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 playoff road games.

The Packers are 34-16-1 ATS in their last 51 games overall.

The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in this series.

Beat your book in the Divisional Round by signing up with expert handicapper Jack Jones today.

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Comments

6 Responses to “Giants Packers Spread”

  1. Timhatch on January 14th, 2012 5:50 AM

    I like the new york giants in a close game with the points eli will shine in the 4th quarter . A big running game for jacobs..

  2. Timhatch on January 14th, 2012 6:04 AM

    I like the the denver broncos defence in this one brady gets sacked 3 times and fumbles once. Tebow wins it in the 4th like always.

  3. Timhatch on January 14th, 2012 6:12 AM

    I like 49ers defence in this brees gets sacked 3 times look for turn overs in this game . Advantage 49ers .

  4. Timhatch on January 14th, 2012 6:24 AM

    All you handycappers in these games alot of upsets thank for letting me speak my mind , I hope some of you agree with me . May be some day I will be a handycapper.

  5. Keithjohnson on January 14th, 2012 8:38 PM

    I think Tim needs to attend a spelling class. I hope GB’s “Defense” shuts the G-men down….,

  6. Patrick Bearse on January 15th, 2012 4:06 PM

    Anyone can be a handicapper. It’s not like you gotta be right

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