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

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Tavarres King (15) reacts on the bench against the Green Bay Packers during the second half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Tavarres King (15) reacts on the bench against the Green Bay Packers during the second half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants Team Grades vs Green Bay Packers Wild Card Weekend
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers fullback Aaron Ripkowski (22) scores a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Rushing Defense Grade: A-

The one true strength of the Giants all season long was their ability to stop the run. They finished the season ranked third in rush defense, giving up only 88.6 yards per game and 3.6 yards per rush. That success was the only thing to carry over into the postseason.

The Giants had a good game slowing down the Packers rushing game. Ty Montgomery gained only 27 yards on 11 carries. He was stuffed on fourth-and-inches in the third quarter, which shifted momentum towards the Giants. Manning found King on the long touchdown after that. Montgomery also suffered an ugly looking injury in the fourth quarter, which means the Packers could have to lean more on Christine Michael.

It may not be the worst thing for the Packers, as Michael found some success against the Giants. He gained 47 yards on his 10 carries, constantly gashing the Giants in the second half and helping bleed the clock.

Rodgers was unable to hurt the Giants with his legs this time around, as he was credited with zero yards on two carries.

For the game, the Packers gained 75 yards on 25 carries. While the carries weren’t overly productive, the Packers did enough on the ground to keep the Giants on their toes. While the game was a struggle overall, the Giants can hang their hat on their run defense throughout the season.

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