http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/bucky_brooks/09/14/WeekTwo/index.html?eref=si_nfl
Green Bay at New York Giants
Packers' Game Plan
1.
Find an offensive identity. The Packers offseason concerns continued to plague them during the regular season opener. Unable to muster a running game behind Brandon Jackson, Brett Favre was forced to throw the ball more than 40 times. Relying on the veteran signal caller to carry the offense on his arm is a recipe for disaster as the Packers move forward. Look for the Packers to scale back the passes and give Jackson an opportunity to establish himself as the workhorse versus the Giants' weak run defense. The Cowboys were successful running leads to the weak side, so expect the Packers to follow suit.
2.
Pressure Jared Lorenzen. The Packers face a quarterback with only three pass attempts in his three-year career and are champing at the bit to get after him. Not only Lorenzen inexperienced, but also his size and lack of mobility make him a sitting duck in the pocket. Look for the Packers to send rushers from every angle as they attempt to rattle him early.
3.
Challenge Plaxico Burress. The Giants' big play receiver took advantage of soft coverage last week en route to 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The Packers' terrific cornerback tandem of Al Harris and Charles Woodson will challenge Burress by playing press coverage exclusively. Burress' size advantage can pose a problem, but Woodson and Harris are crafty veterans with enough savvy and ball skills to compete with him. Burress will make his share of plays, but the Packers will make him work to get open.
Giants' Game Plan
1.
Rely on the running game. Despite the absence of starting running back Brandon Jacobs, the Giants must rely on the running game to carry them. Derrick Ward flashed big-play ability while filling in last week, but he needs to be a major factor with Lorenzen starting at quarterback. Expect the Giants to try to pound a Packers' run defense that allowed Brian Westbrook to gain over four yards a carry.
2.
Selectively take shots down the field. The Giants enter the game knowing the Packers will come after their young quarterback. Anticipating the blitz, the Giants will take some shots down the field to catch the Packers in single coverage. Hitting on a deep route early will boost Lorenzen's confidence and slow the Packers' aggressive blitz.
3.
Make the Packers one-dimensional. The Packers struggled to run the ball versus the Eagles and had to throw the ball over 40 times with marginal success. Giants' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spent time with the
Eagles and will mirror the game plan that kept the Packers out of end zone. Look for a ton of blitzing as the Giants attempt to force Favre into several miscues.