Packers QB Aaron Rodgers attempts a pass as Giants defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins pursues earlier this season. (Getty)
A trip to the NFL Divisional Playoffs is up for grabs when the Green Bay Packers host the New York Giants in an NFC Wild-Card game on Sunday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. Eastern and the game will be televised by FOX.
Here’s a complete look at all the betting info you need to know, as well as our prediction for the Wild-Card game below:
Packers vs. Giants Wild-Card Betting Info
Note: All odds and numbers courtesy of OddsShark.com and are updated as of January 8
Spread: Packers (-5.5)
Betting Percentages: 55 percent for the Giants (+5.5)
Over/Under: 46
Betting Percentages: 54 percent for the OVER
Season Results: Packers 10-6 straight up; 8-7-1 against the spread; 10-6 for the OVER — Giants 11-5 straight up; 8-6-2 against the spread; 12-4 for the UNDER
Prediction
On Sunday at Lambeau, it’s one of the most explosive offenses vs. one of the stingiest defenses.
Oh, and temperatures hovering around 15 degrees.
The Packers are 4th in scoring offense (27.0 points per game), while the Giants are 2nd in scoring D (17.8 PPG) — and also sport the top red zone unit.
During their six-game win streak, Green Bay is scoring 30.8 points per contest. The Pack has scored 30 in 4 straight games. The Giants haven’t scored 30 points once this season. But over the final 6 regular season games, New York is allowing just 14 PPG.
Aaron Rodgers has been scorching as of late, throwing for 18 touchdowns and zero interceptions over the past 7 games. But he’s got a tough task with the NYPD on deck. That would be the “New York Pass Defense,” which is led by All-Pro safety Landon Collins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Janoris Jenkins and rookie Eli Apple. The defensive unit has intercepted 17 passes while allowing only 15 TD passes.
Eli Manning and the Giants offense isn’t exactly the well-oiled machine the Packers are, but the potential is there — in the passing game, at least. The Giants’ offensive line has been porous and the running game hasn’t been there, making them one-dimensional. Manning could find himself under pressure much of the day as the Packers bring the heat — they’re 6th in sacks (40). But the D has also allowed 32 TD passes, 4th-most in the NFL.
So how will it shake out?
Before we get to the game prediction, let’s take a look at some recent betting trends. The Packers are 5-1 against the spread over the past 6 games. At Lambeau Field, the UNDER has come in for 10 of the past 14 Green Bay games. The Giants are 8-3 ATS over the past 11 and the UNDER has come in on 7 of their last 8 games.
The Giants have had the Packers’ number in the playoffs, especially at Lambeau. New York won in Green Bay in 2008 and 2012 en route to Super Bowl titles.
The Packers beat the Giants in Week 5, but both teams have changed a lot since then. One thing is for sure, confidence won’t be lacking in this one as both teams are riding high.
The Giants can’t win a shootout if it comes to that. If they want to win, they’ll need to keep the score low. And, of course, protect Manning and get a running game established to keep Rodgers off the field. If you’ve watched the Giants offense this season, though, you know that’s easier said than done. And, yes, we all know Eli steps up when the lights are brightest, but can he just flip the switch after 16 games and enter “Manning Mode?” And can rookie running back Paul Perkins build from last week’s 100-yard game?
Of all the Wild-Card games, this, to me, has the biggest upset potential. But I don’t see it happening. Rodgers is playing too well and has too many weapons, including Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb (who should return), Ty Montgomery and potential X-Factors Jared Cook and Geronimo Allison. And the defense will do just enough to keep the Giants offense at bay and probably force Manning into a couple of costly mistakes.
The Pack finally gets the best of the Giants at home and moves into the Divisional Playoff round in a close one.
The Pick: Packers 20, Giants 17 (Packers win straight up, Giants cover the spread, UNDER wins)
Find out how to watch this game in Spanish at AhoraMismo.com:
