Giants-Packers a formula for offensive fireworks

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Going into Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game against the New York Giants, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are best known for all the fireworks they've produced on offense.

That's a good thing for the Super Bowl champions, because they've been remarkably vulnerable on defense.

All season, the Packers have been giving up yards in big chunks and bailing themselves out by forcing turnovers. And while the Giants might hope to slow the game down by establishing the run and keeping Rodgers on the sideline, the last meeting between the two teams — a 38-35 victory by the Packers on a last-second field goal on Dec. 4 — could mean Sunday is shaping up as another fast-paced game that comes down to the last possession.

With Eli Manning and the offense on a roll, the Giants like their chances this time around.

"I think if we get into a shootout like we did last time, I think we will be OK," wide receiver Victor Cruz said. "But it will have to come down to who has the last touch."

Meanwhile, the Packers' defense is looking to hit the reset button in the playoffs.

"This is a fresh start for us to right all our wrongs," defensive lineman Ryan Pickett said. "We're excited about it. It's the same group that did it last year, the same team, so we know it's there to do it. You just have to do it. Time is running out. This is one-and-done, so we have to get it done."

Manning can draw on the Giants' victory in a frigid NFC championship game at Lambeau Field four years ago, but he doesn't think that experience is relevant.

"It's a new year, a new team, new players going against a new team," Manning said. "It's just a matter of guys executing, guys knowing the game plan, going in there, looking forward to the opportunity that's ahead of us, getting excited about it and have the attitude that we're going to go in there and play great football."

They'll likely have their chances.

Green Bay's defense gave up more yards than any other team this season, an average of 411.6 per game. Packers coaches and players shrug off that statistic, pointing out that their ball-hawking defense has been able to come up with enough turnovers and stops in critical situations to help the team go 15-1.

What's more troubling than the yards is the number of big plays. According to STATS LLC, the Packers gave up 80 plays of 20-plus yards this season — third-most in the league this season, and 26 more big plays than they gave up last season.