Everything is a step, and the one the Giants must take right from the jump might be the most demanding of all. If they can get past the Packers Sunday afternoon at frigid Lambeau Field, whom can’t they beat in the NFC tournament? The Cowboys, whom the Giants swept in their regular-season series, would be up next.
Normally, a wild-card playoff game is an appetizer, but this one sure has the feel of a main course. The Giants (11-5) arrive with the better record, yet the Packers (10-6) are favored because they are at home and they possess the hottest player in the league, Aaron Rodgers.
“I think that you like to prove people wrong,’’ Eli Manning said. “That is always kind of an exciting thing to do.’’
Yes, it is true that Manning has on his résumé as many postseason victories (two) at Lambeau as Rodgers, but that was then (2008 and 2012) and this is now. These Giants are built around defense first, defense second and Manning making correct decisions and finding Odell Beckham Jr. as often as possible third.
Coach Ben McAdoo takes the Giants into the building he worked in for eight seasons under Packers coach Mike McCarthy. This is McAdoo’s first playoff game as head coach and the first for many of his players.
“None. Zero,’’ McAdoo said when asked the importance of playoff experience.
We shall see. No one can accuse the Giants of tightening up during the week. Four receivers, including Beckham and Victor Cruz, spent a night (and very early morning) in Miami partying with Justin Bieber. The defensive backfield unveiled its “NYPD’’ (New York Pass Defense) nickname. The music blared as loud as ever in practice — during one TV timeout interlude, “Beer Barrel Polka’’ could be heard, perhaps in tribute to the greater Green Bay area. Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison said his lack of playoff experience is mitigated by his heroics playing Madden video games. Beckham paraded around the locker room Thursday wearing a Rey Mysterio mask, mimicking pro wrestling moves, the same day Cruz catered a soul food meal for grateful players chowing down in front of their lockers.
The Packers are 6-0 since Rodgers predicted they could “run the table’’ after they sunk to 4-6 following a desultory, 42-24 loss at Washington to extend their losing streak to four games. Both teams will have to deal with the elements. The forecast is a high of 15 degrees and a low of 10 degrees, not much in the way of wind and no snow.
“The most important thing is just focusing on the game. It’s not about the elements, it’s about preparing, anticipating, executing, and then being ready to adjust during the course of the game,’’ McAdoo said. “That’s what makes these games so special. It could come down to one play. One play changes the game, changes your season, changes the course of history. You have to be really dialed into what we’re doing.”
Marquee matchup
Packers LB Clay Matthews vs. Giants LT Ereck Flowers
The first meeting earlier this season did not go well for Flowers. He was called for a holding penalty and allowed two sacks, the first to Matthews, the second to Nick Perry. Matthews is the sort of smaller speed rusher who gives Flowers fits. Matthews had a rough season, missing four games and dealing with physical issues that limited him in six other games. He managed to get five sacks and at the moment is healthy. That could be bad news for Flowers, who must get his feet and hands moving to gain leverage and take advantage of his size and strength.
4 downs
Rodgers the dodger: Perhaps the Giants were attempting to lure Aaron Rodgers into a false sense of security with the way they heaped lavish praise on him all week. Sure, the guy is an all-time great quarterback and is on a torrid streak (15 touchdowns, no interceptions in the six-game winning streak). Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo gushed, “He can flick the ball anywhere.’’ Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie stressed the need for “eye discipline’’ when Rodgers is on the move because “once he gets out of that pocket you can’t be looking to see where Aaron Rodgers is because he can throw it off his back foot 60 yards down the field.’’
DRC knows he cannot gamble. “I’m a backfield watcher, I agree,’’ he acknowledged. “I know, some quarterbacks you can peek a little bit more than others. This ain’t a game you really want to do that.’’
Armed and dangerous: John Jerry has started every game at right guard this season, and he looked somewhat incredulous when asked what seemed to be a fair question: Will you wear long or short sleeves for the game amid such frigid conditions?
“That’s a prideful thing, man,’’ Jerry said. “You always want to be a guy to go out there and not have sleeves on. You don’t want to be a lineman going out there with sleeves on. I’m pretty sure the guys who played before will appreciate that.’’
No doubt, Chris Snee, Shaun O’Hara, David Diehl and Richie Seubert will approve. Asked if this was a macho thing, Jerry said “No, just a lineman thing.’’
How these teams handle the harsh elements will be paramount to their success. At least Jerry does not have to handle the ball. Neither does defensive end Olivier Vernon, who was raised in Miami, went to college in Miami and spent the first four years of his NFL career in Miami.
“I’ve never played in single degrees,’’ Vernon said. “No sleeves. You got arms like this, you got to show ’em.’’
Youth is served: This is quite a spot for his first playoff game and likely not what Paul Perkins imagined. He was raised in Arizona and played at UCLA.
“I’m not accustomed to too cold of weather, but it’s not going to be a big deal,’’ he said. The rookie running back received his first NFL start last week and responded with 102 yards against the Redskins.
The Giants have been running it more effectively the last month of the season and Perkins’ ascension is a big reason why. He and veteran Rashad Jennings will handle the load, and when Perkins has the ball the Packers will be coming for him — they have forced 15 turnovers in the last five games.
“The ball is always a priority and it is even more now in the playoffs,’’ Perkins said. Asked if handling the ball in such cold weather will be a problem, he said, “I’ll tell you Monday.’’
Progress report: Miserable is a good way to describe how the Giants felt walking off the field Oct. 9, and even more so after they studied their 23-16 road loss to the Packers. On defense, they allowed 406 yards, including a season-high 147 on the ground. It was not vintage Giants defense.
“Definitely not,’’ rookie safety Andrew Adams said. “We had way too many missed tackles. Honestly, we just didn’t bring our ‘A’ game that game.’’
It did not help that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was hampered with a groin injury and Eli Apple lasted just seven snaps.
“We were banged up, we’re a little healthier this time and it’s gonna be a different ballgame this game,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said.
Paul’s pick
When Aaron Rodgers has the ball and the Packers are on offense, it will be must-see viewing going against the battle-tested Giants defense. It remains to be seen if Eli Manning and Co. are up to the task of putting on a show, or at least finding more points. This could be the game of the weekend.
Packers 27, Giants 20