The Green Bay Packers came off of their week four bye to take on the New York Giants at home. The game was a primetime contest on Sunday Night Football, their second of the year. There was a lot of drama that came into Lambeau Field with Giants, as the talk of the week was about Odell Beckham Jr. and the frustration issues that seem to follow him. The Packers would do just enough to down the Giants 23-16. Here are the Green Bay Packers week five takeaways.
Green Bay Packers Week Five Takeaways
Aaron Rodgers Starts Hot but Fizzles
Aaron Rodgers came out of the gates swinging after his week off. The Packers got the ball first and drove down the field in a very time consuming opening drive. The Packers took over eight and a half minutes to move the ball seventy-five yards for a touchdown. Rodgers went five for eight on the drive, throwing a two-yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson.
Rodgers’ opening drive was his best of the night. He would finish the game 23 for 45 and 259 yards. He would throw another touchdown to Davante Adams in the second quarter. After the half, the Packers would fail to punch the ball into the end zone again. Rodgers was much less accurate in the second half, missing throws both high and behind his receivers. He would finish the game with two interceptions.
Offensive Line Dominates
The offensive line was in complete control of the Giants front four. Rodgers wouldn’t be sacked at any point during the game. The Pack was able to hold off top rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, which is no easy task.
The line also did well run blocking. On 32 total carries by all the Green Bay rushers, they accumulated 147 yards. Eddie Lacy, before leaving due to a left ankle injury, would average 7.4 yards per carry on 11 touches. The offensive line has been a force all year, as Pro Football Focus has them ranked as the best pass protecting group in the league.
Defense Succeeds Through Injuries
Coming into the game, four of the Packers cornerbacks would be inactive due to injury. With the likes of Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., this could have been a major issue. However, the defense held their own. They allowed just 16 points, seven coming on a late touchdown.
Eli would struggle, even against a battered Green Bay secondary. He would throw for less than 200 yards and one touchdown, accumulating a measly 21.7 quarterback rating. They held rookie sensation Sterling Shepard and rejuvenated Victor Cruz to just two catches for 14 yards. Odell Beckham would lead Giants receivers with five catches for 56 yards and a pretty impressive back-of-the-end zone touchdown catch.
The defense would also prove why they are top in the league against the run. The Giants ran for just 43 yards on 15 carries by the Giants. This comes out to less than three yards per carry.
Coming Up Next
The Packers take on the Dallas Cowboys at home next week. They improve to 3-1, remaining in second place in the division behind the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
