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

Special Teams Grade: D

The only thing keeping this grade from being an F was the fact Robbie Gould made all his field goal attempts. Gould connected on field goals from 40 and 26 yards away. He also made his only extra point attempt of the game. Outside of that, the Giants special teams struggled and were a big reason for the loss.

After a career season, Brad Wing struggled to punt in the swirling winds at Lambeau Field. Wing punted eight times, averaging paltry 39 yards per punt. He was able to put two balls inside the 20-yard line, but many punts were low, line drives that were easy for the Packers to return. Micah Hyde averaged 10 yards per return on his five returns, with a long of 23, as he constantly set the Packers up with strong field position.

The Giants, meanwhile, got nothing going on punt returns. Jacob Schum had a strong game punting, averaging 41.8 yards per punt and placing three of his six attempts inside the 20. They also held the Giants in check, as Dwayne Harris gained four yards on three punt returns.

Kick returns were tough for the Giants as well. The Packers had a good night in that regard, averaging 27 yards per return from Jeff Janis and Michael. The Giants averaged only 20.6, punctuated by Bobby Rainey’s poor judgment when he caught a ball and went out of bounds at the three-yard line. The game hung in the balance at that time, but Rainey’s mishap basically sealed the Giants fate as they had no chance of mounting a drive from that area of the field.

Special teams had been such a strength for the Giants this season, but they faltered against the Packers and were a big reason in costing them the game.