Things aren’t looking great for the Green Bay Packers at the moment, but it’s looking a lot worse for this week’s opponent, the 2-8 New York Giants.
Much like the Packers, the Giants would be having a better season if they could stop self-imploding. In last week’s 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, New York found a way to blow a double-digit lead with four minutes or less left in the game for the second time this season. That collapse proved to be the final straw for Brian Daboll, who was fired and replaced by offensive coordinator Mike Kafka as the interim head coach.
One of the few glimmers of hope for the Giants this season has been Jaxson Dart, but the rookie quarterback won’t be available for Week 11 due to a concussion. On Wednesday, Kafka confirmed that third-stringer Jameis Winston will get the start over Russell Wilson.
Green Bay’s most recent matchup against New York and a backup quarterback didn’t go so well. In 2023, Tommy DeVito threw for 158 yards, rushed for another 71 yards, and led the final 57-yard drive to get the Giants into field goal range to secure a 24-22 victory.
Coming off consecutive losses in which they have scored a total of 20 points, the Packers need a win against a floundering team, but they’ve shown a tendency to play down to their opponents. Green Bay’s offensive line has to play better for the offense to get back on track, and it will face another tough test this week.
That is why New York’s star-studded defensive line is the focus of this week’s edition of key matchups.
Packers C Sean Rhyan vs. Giants NT Dexter Lawrence
Now that Elgton Jenkins is likely out for the rest of the season with a leg fracture, Rhyan will make his first career start at center against a formidable opponent. Lawrence has just 0.5 sacks and two tackles for loss this season but is still one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in football. The two-time second-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler is flanked by one of the deepest edge groups in the league, which could lead to some one-on-one opportunities with the Packers’ new starting center. Rhyan’s performance at guard had been underwhelming this season, so maybe a move to center will produce better results. Center isn’t a brand-new position for Rhyan, but you’d prefer he faced an easier matchup right out the gate.
Packers RT Zach Tom vs. Giants edge Brian Burns
You know things are bad when your top offensive lineman isn’t playing up to his standard. Tom allowed a season-high four pressures in last week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and has battled through some injuries this season, so he may not be at 100 percent. Still, he hasn’t surrendered a sack this year, but that could be in jeopardy on Sunday when he’s lined up against the NFL’s co-sack leader. Burns has registered a sack in all but two games this season and is tied with Myles Garrett for 11.0 total. Tom has been the Packers’ best offensive lineman the past two seasons, but he’ll have his hands full against Burns, who is having a career year and showing no signs of slowing down.
Packers S Xavier McKinney vs. Giants QB Jameis Winston
McKinney was phenomenal at making quarterbacks pay for their mistakes last season, finishing second in the league with eight interceptions. He’s responsible for two of the team’s three interceptions this year, and he should get more opportunities in Week 11 against a quarterback who has a reputation for putting the ball in harm’s way. In 2019, the last season in which Winston started every game, he threw 33 touchdowns but also a league-high 30 interceptions. Winston likes to push the ball downfield, so whether it’s McKinney or someone else, the Packers have to take advantage of any poor decisions the turnover-prone quarterback makes on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Giants: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 11
