Eddie Lacy
The Green Bay Packers offense is usually the leading factor to their winning ways. But for most of the first four games this season, it’s the Packers defense that has led the way, including Sunday nights 23-16 win over the New York Giants.
The Packers played without five starters on defense in their win over the Lions and were missing both starting corners. Sam Shields remains in the concussion protocol and Damarious was scratched from the lineup two hours before kickoff last night with a groin injury.
Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter and Micah Hyde were left to cover the Giants receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Victory Cruz and Sterling Shepherd. Most thought the game would be a shootout.
Instead, the Packers offense started fast but struggled to maintain any consistency and it was up to the defense to save the day. That’s exactly what they did, holding Beckham to five catches for 56 yards. Cruz had one reception and Shepherd had two catches for 14 yards.
Once again, the Packers defense slammed the door on the opponents ground attack. The Giants finished with 43 yards on 15 carries, a 2.9-yard average.
The defense sacked Eli Manning four times and held him to 18 of 35 for 199 yards through the air. And they did it while being saddled with poor field position throughout the game.
A poor punting performance by Jacob Schum gave the Giants starting field position at their own 45, 39, 47 and 49-yard lines. The Giants were only able to get a pair of field goals in that sequence.
Offensively, Aaron Rodgers was held to 23 of 45 for 259 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions with a passer rating of just 65.0.
Eddie Lacy ran for more than 100-yards against the Lions and was well on his way to another 100-yard day before leaving the game early in the second half with a left ankle injury. Lacy finished with 81 yards on 11 carries, including nine carries for 77 yards in the first half.
Randall Cobb had a big day receiving, catching nine passes for 108 yards, but Jordy Nelson was targeted 13 times and caught just 4 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers have won eight of their last nine Sunday Night Football home games and they’ve won 11 straight games in October with two more still to go.
The Packers now move on to face the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field this coming Sunday.