2012 Playoff Predictions: New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers -- Can the G-Men Make a Run?
Written by Matthew Regaw
Wed, 11 Jan 2012
Category sportsbook
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The New York Giants made quick work of the Atlanta Falcons in the wild card game over the weekend and it was hard to not compare this team to the same team that made a run and beat the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl. But before that can happen they will first have to go to Green Bay and beat the best team in football.
Packers vs. Giants
The NFL playoff odds for this game opened with the Packers as nine point favorites. After the great performance against the Falcons the betting public jumped all over the Giants. In fact 78 percent of the early handle is on the G-Men. That betting action has pushed this number down and can be found as low as eight points in some locations.
This will not be the first meeting between these two teams. In early December the Packers traveled to New York and left with a win, winning late to secure a 38-35 victory. The game was tied with minutes to go, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers drove his team down for a victory with a fantastic five play drive that sealed the win. In fact Rodgers was near flawless in that game completing 24 of 27 passes along the way. The big difference in this game is that it will be in Green Bay
The Giants may have the best front four in all of the NFL. They are relentless in stopping the run and putting the pressure on the quarterback, but the defense is in trouble after that. If Rodgers can get protection he can pick apart the suspect Giants secondary. This is evident and it was obvious in that game winning drive in the first meeting.
Eli Manning is no Aaron Rodgers, but he has improved to become one of the elite signal callers in the league. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks have allowed him to spread the ball around and he is rock solid in the fourth quarter. Some of that offensive talent may be neutralized in Green Bay. The Giants are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games on grass and that is a sign that they may be contained in this game.
The Packers defense has been at the bottom of the stat sheet all year long, but they are a different team in the playoffs. Clay Matthews is a terror on the opposition on the middle and this defense plays big in big games. The Packers are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games as a home favorite, 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 home games, 17-7 ATS in their last 24 games as a favorite, and 34-16-1 ATS in their last 51 games overall. The list of good sports betting trends in favor of the Packers just keep on going.
The Packers are relentless on offense, have the edge on special teams and have the luxury of playing at home. The Giants are a very good football team but the holes in the secondary will cost them in this game. The Packers are relentless and will pile on the points so they can avoid a fourth quarter comeback. Packers roll to a big victory and will host the NFC Championship game.
2012 Playoff Predictions: Green Bay Packers -8