Everything you need to know about the Week 13 matchup between the New York Giants (2-9) and Green Bay Packers (8-3):
End the losing. The Giants' last win came on September 29. They look to snap a seven-game losing streak this Sunday against a Packers team fresh off a 37-8 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Injury Report. Out: WR Golden Tate (concussion), TE Evan Engram (foot), TE Rhett Ellison (concussion), S Jabrill Peppers (back), LS Zak DeOssie (knee/wrist).
Kaden Smith gets second start. In his first career start last week against the Chicago Bears, Kaden Smith finished tied for the team-lead with five receptions and scored his first NFL touchdown. With Engram and Ellison ruled out, Smith will once again serve as the team's starting tight end this week against Green Bay.
Julian Love steps into starting lineup. With Peppers ruled out, rookie Julian Love will be inserted into the starting lineup for the first time. The fourth-round pick saw his first extended action at safety in the second half of last week's game and performed well, picking up one tackle, a pass defended and his first career interception.
"I think with Julian since he's walked in, he has been a guy that's ahead of some other young guys I have been around, from just meeting, from just awareness," defensive coordinator James Bettcher said Friday. "Not just awareness of what's going on but also self-awareness. He's been able to give you good feedback right away on something he wasn't right on, whether it's his eyes, his alignment, his technique."
Zak DeOssie to miss first game since 2015. For the last 12 years, Zak DeOssie has been the Giants' long snapper. DeOssie has played in 199 games and was a member of the team's two most recent Super Bowl champions, but he won't be suiting up on Sunday. Colin Holba will be promoted from the practice squad to take DeOssie's place.
"Zak's been a guy around here who has played at a high level. He's a big-time Giant," coach Pat Shurmur said Friday.
Daniel Jones on verge of yet another record. Daniel Jones has already set the franchise record for most completions and pass attempts by a rookie quarterback in his first eight starts. The 22-year-old is knocking on the door of yet another Giants' record. Jones needs only 42 passing yards to break Charlie Conerly's record for most passing yards by a rookie quarterback.
Preparing for Aaron Rodgers. There is no doubt that Aaron Rodgers is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. The two-time MVP currently sports an 18-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio while ranking 9th in the league with 2,822 passing yards. Rodgers' ability to extend plays is one of the aspects of his game that make him so dangerous, and is something that the Giants defense, especially its young defensive backs, will have to keep an eye out for this Sunday.
"The play is not over until the whistle blows with him," Bettcher told the media. "He's going to extend plays. His knee is going to be six inches from the ground and he's going to throw the ball over this shoulder and make a great throw. I can show you many times on tape, I went against him a few times in Arizona as well. He has the capability to do that, we have to finish downs."
Saquon sets the bar high for himself. Saquon Barkley has reached 100 yards rushing only twice this season, and both in the first two weeks of the season. Barkley has run for just 461 yards on 118 attempts, averaging 3.9 yards per carry, while playing in eight games. After averaging 5.0 yards per carry on 261 rush attempts last season, including seven games in which he crossed the 100-yard plateau, the second-year back expects more from himself.
"You have to hold yourself to a standard and hold yourself to higher expectations," Barkley told reporters Wednesday. "That's how I am and that's how I'm going to continue to be. Even though you face adversity or the season isn't going how you want, as a team you have to keep working."
Stopping the two Smith's. Green Bay enters this matchup with the only double-digit sack duo in the NFL. Preston Smith has racked up 10.5 sacks, while Za'Darius Smith is right behind him with 10. The pair of edge rushers were both signed as free agents this offseason, and have helped transform the Packers' defense. The Giants will have to keep a close eye on both Smiths.
"They added the Smiths and those guys can wreck a game if we don't block them properly," Shurmur said earlier this week. "I think they're a very good defense and I think they're… they can sneak up on you and make a play. But they can also do a good job of getting you off the field on third down. The longer the yardage on third down, the more it plays into their hands."
Getting ready for the elements. The calendar flips to December on Sunday, and it appears as if Mother Nature is well-aware. The forecast calls for a combination of rain and snow, with a 100% chance of precipitation. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are used to playing in such conditions in Lambeau Field. But for this young Giants squad, this week's game against a strong Packers team in awful conditions should be a good test to see how far they have progressed this season.
Here is a closer look at the starters of the Green Bay Packers for Week 13 against the Giants.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Green Bay Packers' Marquez Valdes-Scantling breaks away from Oakland Raiders' Gareon Conley for a touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Green Bay Packers' Jimmy Graham reacts after catching a pass for a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Green Bay Packers fullback Danny Vitale (45) fights for extra yardage after catching a pass as Dallas Cowboys free safety Xavier Woods (25) defends during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Billy Turner (77) blocks during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Packers 26-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari (69) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 34-24. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Green Bay Packers offensive guard Elgton Jenkins (74) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Green Bay Packers center Corey Linsley (63) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga (75) blocks during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Raiders 42-24. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Green Bay Packers defensive end Dean Lowry (94) runs onto the field during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Eagles defeated the Packers, 34-27. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark (97) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster (95) in action on defense during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Raiders 42-24. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith (91) rushes the edge during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Panthers, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers middle linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 in Carson, Calif. Los Angeles won 26-11. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage (26) defends during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Panthers, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers strong safety Adrian Amos (31) defends during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Panthers, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) defends during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Panthers, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King (20) defends during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Panthers, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) kicks off during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Eagles defeated the Packers, 34-27. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers punter JK Scott (6) during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Giants vs. Packers Broadcast Info: TV channel, Radio Station and Live Stream.
