Packers versus Giants: The official Week 5 prediction
By Tim Muma
Clay Matthews, if he plays Sunday, needs to wreak havoc on the outside. Daniels must deliver on the inside, especially if Matthews can’t go for the Packers.
Once again, putting pressure on Manning will be absolutely vital for the Packers’ defense to slow down the passing game. Forcing early throws and turnovers could win them the game.
Matthews availability – and effectiveness – will impact how the defense prioritizes, schemes, and attacks the Giants’ offensive line. New York’s lineman have been surprisingly good early on.
Pro Football Focus has ranked the Giants’ offensive line as the 4th-best unit through four weeks. Much of the success stems from left tackle Ereck Flowers and guard Justin Pugh. Flowers has yet to allow a sack and Flowers has been among the best interior lineman this year.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say Daniels is the Packers’ best defensive player right now anyway.
Two areas where the Packers could make noise would be against the Giants’ right tackle and the center, Weston Richburg.
First of all, the Giants’ regular RT is Marshall Newhouse, but he’s been out with a strained calf. Normally a guard, Bobby Hart has been starting in his place.
Matthews could take advantage of the banged-up Newhouse or use Hart’s inexperience at that position to his benefit. Depends on who is playing – including Matthews, of course.
Daniels will be on the field at Lambeau, so look for him to deliver a solid performance. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say Daniels is the Packers’ best defensive player right now anyway.
Come Sunday, Green Bay needs him to get a strong push up the middle to get in the face of Manning. Whether he picks up a sack or not is somewhat irrelevant. It’s more important that he is disrupting Manning and the timing of their attack.
Let’s give Daniels a sack and a strip of Manning on Sunday.