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Giants vs Packers: 6 Matchups To Watch For Wild Card Weekend

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy talks with New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo following the game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy talks with New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo following the game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Giants vs Packers: 6 Matchups To Watch For Wild Card Weekend
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) tries to break a tackle by Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan (47) after catching a pass in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Odell Beckham Jr. vs LaDarius Gunter

The Giants offense this season has relied on Odell Beckham Jr.’s heroics plenty of times. He has single-handedly won games for the Giants, such as the matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the second victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants chances of winning the football game increase if Manning can get the ball into his hands.

Manning will definitely try. In the first matchup against the Packers, Beckham Jr. was targeted 12 times in that matchup against the Packers, catching five passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown reception was an impressive one, as he toe-tapped along the backline in the end zone.

In that game, the Packers had Gunter and Quinten Rollins took turns defending Beckham Jr. and none of his production came against Gunter. With Rollins out this week and Damarius Randle limited by a knee injury suffered in Week 17, Gunter could shadow Beckham Jr. this time around.

That is a tall task for anyone to defend Beckham Jr. all game. The Giants do a good job creating matchup problems by moving Beckham Jr. around the formation as he has taken more snaps out of the slot as the season has gone on. Defending in the slot is a whole different animal from defending on the outside, as the Giants’ Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie just how difficult it is.

This could be the matchup that makes or breaks the Giants. Their offense struggles enough when Beckham Jr. is on his game; if Gunter can slow him down it could be tough to move the ball.

Next: Where Are The Giants In The NFL Playoff Power Rankings?

Beckham Jr. always has eyes on him, but people will watch him even more intently after he and fellow Giants wide receivers spent their off day Monday in Florida. He has to perform well to avoid getting lambasted in the media and by fans; Gunter will do his best to make sure that happens.

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