New York Giants Team Grades vs Green Bay Packers Wild Card Weekend

Passing Defense Grade: C

The Giants pass defense looked great to start the game. The Packers had only seven yards gained in the first quarter, and they looked like they could control the game. But, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was injured on the second play of the game, which caused a trickle down effect for the team.

With Rodgers-Cromartie sidelined, the Giants were forced to change their game plan. Some of the blitzes and schemes the Giants planned to use had to be scrapped since they were forced to go to a less talented player in Trevin Wade in the slot. Aaron Rodgers targeted him the second half with no remorse.

The turning point was the hail mary that Rodgers connected with Randall Cobb at the end of the first half. Rodgers had yet another chuck and prayer answered, which gave the Packers all off the momentum and deflated the Giants. After that throw, Rodgers got to work systematically and surgically picking apart the Giants defense. Cobb once again hurt the Giants, as he finished the game with five receptions for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Davante Adams also found success, catching eight passes for 125 yards and one touchdown.

The Packers lost Jordy Nelson to a rib injury after a hit from Leon Hall in the first half, but that didn’t slow them down. Rodgers would finish the game completing 25-of-40 pass for 362 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

The only positive was that the Giants did sack Rodgers five times. But, the pass rush was nonexistent in the second half and he was given plenty of time in the pocket all game. On the first touchdown to Adams, Rodgers had the ball for nine seconds in the pocket; that won’t get the job done at any level of football.