Giants target Rodgers in Packers showdown
LOS ANGELES: Finding a way of nullifying Aaron Rodgers will be the name of the game when the New York Giants take on a Green Bay Packers team tomorrow who have roared back to life thanks to the scintillating form of their star quarterback. In midNovember, the Packers were sliding towards a losing season, falling to 4-6 after a run of four consecutive defeats which culminated in a 42-24 pummelling by the Washington Redskins.
But Rodgers’ determined rallying cry that the Packers could “run the table” and still win the NFC North galvanized the famous Wisconsin franchise as they embarked on a six-game winning streak. Rodgers was superb last week in a shoot-out victory over the Detroit Lions that clinched the division, throwing for four touchdowns and 300 yards in a 31-24 win. In the Packers’ six-game winning finish to the regular season, the 33-year-old has thrown 15 touchdowns and no interceptions, stats which propelled him to NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December.
“He’s on fire, taking care of the ball, and is moving very well in and out of the pocket making all the throws,” Giants coach Ben McAdoo said of Rodgers. As well as a sublime passing game, Rodgers has tormented opponents with his fleet-footed elusiveness outside of the pocket. His ability to pick up vital rushing numbers is reflected in figures of 369 yards from 67 carries. Rodgers’ mobility also creates a headache for opposition defenses, often forcing them to try and cover the Packers’ receiving corps by several additional seconds. “His escape-ability and his ability to scramble and extend a play, you have to be able to account for that, and you have to cover the receivers for an extra 2-3 seconds, which is a nightmare for DBs (defensive backs),” said Giants linebacker Jonathan Casillas.
‘GET HIM UNCOMFORTABLE’
Giants safety Landon Collins said the game could hinge on New York’s ability to knock Rodgers out of his stride. “Of course we’re trying to slow him down,” Collins said. “That’s the job: Get him uncomfortable and take advantage of it. That’s the biggest key, keeping him contained and inside the pocket so he doesn’t have a chance to escape (and) look downfield and make those big plays.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, says there will be no danger of complacency as the Packers prepare for a meeting against a team who have twice beaten them at Lambeau Field in playoff meetings over the past decade, winning in 2008 and again in 2012. On both occasions, the Giants, led by quarterback Eli Manning, would go on to win the Super Bowl. Rodgers was on the receiving end of the second of those losses, when the Packers fell 37-20.
“I thought we were going to run through that thing and be in the Super Bowl,” said Rodgers, who is now solely focused on ensuring the Packers maintain their winning momentum tomorrow. “It’s win or go home at this point,” he said. “That’s the focus. Keep on winning and get this thing to Houston.” Clay Matthews, the Packers’ stalwart linebacker, said Rodgers’ determination to turn around Green Bay’s season during their slump had inspired the team.
“Aaron, he has a type of leadership where he likes to prove people wrong,” Matthews said. “I think by putting those expectations out there, kind of really (had) this locker room come together, and kind of back him up. Now we’re six in a row. The type of leadership he brings is one that I think is kind of infectious in what you see on Sunday and every day in practice.” — AFP