(Sports Network) – Green Bay does most of its damage through an extremely efficient passing attack engineered by the accurate and athletic Aaron Rodgers (3289 passing yards, 23 TD, 10 INT), who’s hit on 65 percent of his attempts this year and been intercepted just one time in his last six starts. The 27-year-old has a quality complement of weapons to work with as well, with big-play performer Greg Jennings (65 receptions, 1026 yards, 12 TD) headlining a deep receiving corps that contains three other viable targets in James Jones (45 receptions, 4 TD), steady veteran Donald Driver (43 receptions, 4 TD) and slotman Jordy Nelson (39 receptions, 1 TD). Running back Brandon Jackson (645 rushing yards, 40 receptions, 1 TD) gives Rodgers another good outlet and can be a factor as a runner as well, as evidenced by the 99 rushing yards on 22 attempts he came through with against New England. Rodgers is capable of making plays with his legs as well, ranking second on the team in rushing yards (309) and scoring four touchdowns on the ground this year. That’s a concern for a New York defense that was burned for 130 rushing yards by dynamic Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick that helped spark the Eagles’ Week 15 comeback.
Rodgers and his collection of pass catchers figure to be challenged by a Giants’ stop unit that’s permitted the second-fewest passing yards (188.4 ypg) in the NFL this season and leads the league with 34 takeaways, while its sum of 42 sacks is second overall. New York is loaded with outstanding pass rushers, with starting ends Justin Tuck (67 tackles, 10 sacks) and Osi Umenyiora (42 tackles, 10 sacks) each boasting double-digit sack totals and promising rookie Jason Pierre-Paul (26 tackles, 4.5 sacks) starting to make an impact in a situational role. Cornerbacks Terrell Thomas (84 tackles, 5 INT, 20 PD) and Corey Webster (47 tackles, 4 INT, 11 PD) have combined for nine interceptions as the primary outside defenders, while veteran Deon Grant (60 tackles, 3 INT, 9 PD) has excelled as a nickel safety who will see plenty of snaps on Sunday to combat Green Bay’s multiple spread looks. Tuck also serves as one of the key run stoppers of an outfit that’s second in the league in total defense (290.9 ypg) and has also gotten strong contributions from tackles Barry Cofield (47 tackles, 4 sacks) and Chris Canty (38 tackles, 1.5 sacks) as well as middle linebacker Jonathan Goff (64 tackles, 1 sack).