
After a nail-biter win against the Bailey Zappe led New England Patriots, the Green Bay Packers (3-1) hosted the New York Giants (3-1) in London, England to become the final team in the NFL to play a game in London. The Packers head into this week hoping for a more convincing performance than last week’s unnecessarily close win in overtime. Still trying to have a complete game from the offense, the Packers looked to rebound against a weaker Giants team. The defense, looking for a bounce back performance after giving up 24 points to the Patriots 3rd string QB, also in prime position to do so, facing Dnaiel Jones. Saquon Barkley is worrisome for the Packers defense however, who allowed 5.1 yards per carry last week. How did both sides of the ball fare given such a great opportunity to bounce back?
The Packers started the game off strong, the offense found a solid rhythm and took their first drive down the field before settling for a 46-yard field goal. The defense would then shut down the Giants offense on their first drive, the first time not allowing an opening drive score this year. After trading punts, Aaron Rodgers would drive the offense down the field and hit Lazard on a wide receiver screen for their first touchdown of the game. The defense would let up a long drive but would hold the Giants to a 48-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive the Packers offense would once again drive down the field with ease on the way to a touchdown pass to Mercedes Lewis. The Giants would respond with another long drive, this time capping it off with a two yard rushing score by Daniel Bellinger. With little time left, Rodgers would execute a beautiful two-minute drill and set the Packers up for a 48-yard field goal to put them up 20-10 going into the half. The first half was solid all around for the Packers, the offense looked like they had finally found a rhythm in the quick pass and rushing game, while the defense looked to be containing the Giants offense, despite a couple big plays and having some rough penalties that hurt them.
That would be the height of the Packers day unfortunately, as the second half would bring a lot of frustration for both sides of the ball, something that has been on brand for the Packers all year. The Giants could have started the drive taking a sack from Rashan Gary, but another defensive penalty would give them a first down, the second time a sack would be negated today. That drive would end in a 37-yard field goal. The offense would struggle to find anything this half, with all four of their drives ending without a score (two punts, a turnover on downs, and the clock running out). The defense, like the offense, would also struggle, giving up a scoring drive on every drive in the second half ( a field goal and two touchdowns) save for the last one, where the Giants took an intentional safety. The Giants had their way with the Packers on both sides of the ball, going up 27-20 late in the fourth, and back-to-back bats at the line of scrimmage in the red zone would seal the game for the Giants. An intentional safety would give the Packers two more points, making the final score 27-22 in favor of the Giants.
Same shit every year. Without Rodgers, this team is going to fall apart. I don’t think LaFluer is as good as advertised, and the offensive line has taken a major step back. I’m starting to worry.