The New York Giants (4-8) will host the Green Bay Packers (6-6) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey this coming Monday night.
That, of course, provides those of us here at Giants Wire the opportunity to hypothetically steal from the Packers’ roster in search of depth and/or talent upgrades for Big Blue.
In looking over Green Bay’s depth chart, there doesn’t appear to be an overwhelming amount of elite talent but there sure is a good amount of solid, above-average talent.
Quarterback Jordan Love seems like the most obvious player to steal with other options including offensive tackle Zach Tom, guard Elgton Jenkins, safety Rudy Ford and edge rusher Preston Smith.
While Love is extremely tempting, it’s edge rusher Rashan Gary that we’re stealing.
The Giants have struggled to generate organic pressure outside of linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, which has actually hindered his production despite accumulating 11 sacks so far this season. Gary’s presence would immediately prevent Thibs from facing double teams, adding to the overall effectiveness of the defense.
Gary is also a very productive all-around player himself. He excels as a pass rusher but is above average against the run and in coverage.
In 12 games this season, Gary has recorded 34 tackles (17 solo, six for a loss), two forced fumbles, one pass defensed, 17 QB hits, and 9.0 sacks.
What are your thoughts, Giants fans? Would you pick Rashan Gary or would you steal an entirely different player from the Packers?
The New York Giants will not carry their quarterback controversy deep into the week with head coach Brian Daboll announcing on Tuesday that Tommy DeVito would start in Week 14.
“I just thought Tommy earned it,” Daboll told reporters. “Played two good games.”
Daboll’s decision comes less than two weeks after he left open the possibility of Tyrod Taylor starting upon his return.
Taylor was designated to return off of injured reserve (IR) on Monday and returned to practice. Daboll said he took the news like a professional.
“Those conversations are never easy,” he said.
DeVito has started three games since taking over for Daniel Jones, who was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL. Taylor was also on IR during that span, nursing a rib injury.
The rookie sensation, who has become a local hero, has gone 2-1 in his three starts. He’s completed 62.9 percent for 697 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions in five total games this season.
Taylor is expected to serve as DeVito’s backup against the Green Bay Packers.
The New York Giants (4-8) have opened as a 6-point underdog for their Week 14 matchup against the Green Bay Packers (6-6) next Monday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The over/under opened at 38 total points and the money line is currently Giants +220, Packers -275, per BetMGM.
In a game that was once a candidate to be ‘flexed out’ by the league in favor of a more attractive matchup, the Giants and Packers have recently turned their seasons around and are playing their best football of 2023.
The Giants won their most recent two contests before going on their by this past week while the Packers are winners of three straight, with victories over the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs.
The Packers currently hold the seventh and final playoff berth in the NFC. The Giants are also still alive, but are two full games back in the 12th spot.
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The New York Giants will host the New England Patriots this Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium before finally enjoying their Week 13 bye.
Coming out of the bye week, the Giants are currently scheduled to host the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 14. However, given that New York is in the midst of a lost season, it’s hard to imagine the NFL will want to spotlight them yet again.
So far this season, the Giants have appeared in four primetime games and are 0-4, having been out-scored 108-24.
For those reasons, the NFL is considering a potential primetime swap, moving the Giants-Packers out of the Monday Night Football slot, and replacing that game with the New York Jets against the Houston Texans.
The Giants could be forced to hand a prime-time home game over to the Jets.
The NFL is considering swapping the two Week 14 games at MetLife Stadium, moving Giants-Packers out of “Monday Night Football” on Dec. 11 and into the prior day’s 1 p.m. television window.
In that scenario, the Jets-Texans game is the only option that could be flexed into prime time because otherwise the Jets and Giants would have conflicting Sunday home games.
The problem facing the league is that the only option to replace Giants-Packers is Jets-Texans because both are slated to play at MetLife Stadium that week.
“I’m not sure we’d do it,” NFL vice president of broadcasting Mike North said on the SI Media Podcast. “But the Texans have played their way into national television. We’re looking for an opportunity.”
The NFL has until Wednesday, November 29 to make a decision on flexing the game.
Brandon Marshall, who set receiving records for the Jets in 2015, said Rodgers would be a short-term fix to a long-term problem.
“Aaron Rodgers is the best thrower of the football our game has ever seen,” Marshall said at the site of the Super Bowl, where he is doing media work. “This is our opportunity to really get it right and be in position to be contending next year. So, you can go Aaron Rodgers and feel like you’ll get there, right? But what’s going to happen after next year? I feel like a Derek Carr, even a Jimmy [Garoppolo], with that defense, with Elijah Moore used the right way and then Garrett [Wilson], we’re set up for the next five to seven years.”
Marshall, a six-time Pro Bowler, gave his pecking order for possible Jets QBs.
“If I was Woody Johnson Marshall, I would go Derek Carr as my 1, Jimmy G as my second option and then Aaron Rodgers as my third option,” Marshall said.
Marshall said he would also be concerned about how Rodgers would fit the Jets.
“It’s his age, but also the fit in the locker room,” Marshall said. “Guys are definitely going to respect him, but I just feel like Derek Carr can get you there. Derek Carr is the first one in, last one out. Derek Carr, he meets people where they’re at. The chemistry and continuity is everything. Remember, we tried this before with Brett Favre. We did this, Woody. We did it. We tried this before with Brett Favre. Derek Carr, that’s all we need. We don’t need the best quarterback. We need the right quarterback.”
Brandon Marshall speaks at the 2022 Revolt Summit at 787 Windsor on September 24, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia.WireImage Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back NFL MVPs in 2020 and 2021. Getty Images
Marshall also believes time on the bench will help Zach Wilson improve.
“He’s super talented. He has the moxie,” Marshall said. “He does have the makeup to be successful in that city. But you’re in the big city, you’re in the big leagues. We need it now. You don’t [usually] have time to sit there. Now, you’re going to have 12 months, maybe 24 to earn the trust back of not only the Jets but the other 31 teams and organizations. What are you going to do?”
Add Rob Gronkowski to the list of those questioning Aaron Rodgers’ remarks.
On Tuesday, Rodgers went on “The Pat McAfee Show” and was non-committal about whether he would return to the Packers, but was of the belief there is fuel left in the tank.
“Do I still think I can play?” Rodgers said. “Of course. Of course. Can I play at a high level? Yeah, the highest. I think I can win MVP again in the right situation.”
Gronkowski, the former tight end for the Patriots and Buccaneers, went on “Up and Adams” on FanDuel TV and opined that Rodgers should be thinking about team championships rather than individual accolades.
Aaron Rodgers was non-committal as to whether he will return to the Packers next season.Getty Images
“I’m totally fine with everything he said, except one major part — and that’s the MVP. [It should be] ‘I think I can win another Super Bowl,’” Gronkowski said. “That would’ve been totally fine. Like bro, why are you thinking MVP? Don’t you want Super Bowls? Super Bowls are, I think, five times greater than an MVP award.
“Like, we all know you won the MVP a few times now, but everyone would know even more how many more Super Bowls you’ve won than MVPs. That’s why I’m a little confused about that quote. It should be Super Bowls. You should never be thinking the MVP when Super Bowls are twice [as important].”
Rodgers, 39, has won one Super Bowl and four MVPs with the Packers, including the past two. Gronkowski, who retired after last season, has four Super Bowl victories with Tom Brady slinging him the ball with the Patriots and Buccaneers.
Rob Gronkowski criticized Aaron Rodgers for saying he can still play at an MVP level as opposed to talking about team Super Bowl wins.Getty Images
Rodgers did express the importance of contending for championships elsewhere in the conversation with McAfee.
“I want to apologize publicly about what happened Sunday night. I reacted off of my emotions again and take full responsibility of making another stupid decision,” Walker began.
“Since then I’ve questioned myself on why did I do what I did when the trainer was doing his job!! I was wrong!!”
The situation unfolded midway through the fourth quarter, when Lions running back Jamaal Williams remained on the ground after catching a short pass. When the athletic trainer reached the field to check on Williams, attempting to squeeze past Walker in the process, the former Georgia product shoved the staffer from behind.
Walker, who added in a separate tweet that he understands he’ll “have to face everything that comes with the decision” he made, later elaborated on how he felt in the tunnel at Lambeau Field as he exited the game.
Packers linebacker Quay Walker is seen pushing a member of the Lions medical staff on Jan. 8, 2023. Twitter/SNF on NBC
Walker was ejected from the Packers-Lions game as a result. Twitter/SNF on NBC
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“Also to explain my frustration in the tunnel. I wasn’t upset about being kicked out, I just knew I messed up again and was wrong for what I did and couldn’t believe I did it again. To the Detroit lions and to the entire training staff including the person I did that too. I’m sorry,” Walker wrote.
Sunday’s incident comes about two months after Walker was ejected from the Packers’ 27-17 loss to the Bills in late October, when he shoved a member of Buffalo’s practice squad on the sideline following a play.
Head coach Matt LaFleur, whose Packers fell short of a postseason berth, chastised Walker’s conduct following Sunday’s game.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur talks with Quay Walker after he was disqualified on Jan. 8, 2023.Getty ImagesQuay Walker is seen walking in the tunnel at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8, 2023.Twitter/SNF on NBC
“I’ve got a much higher standard for our players than to do silly things like that,” LaFleur said. “I mean, we’ve had a guy get ejected twice. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in my career. And we’ve got to be much more mentally tough.”
Aaron Rodgers confirmed what’s been widely suspected.
The Packers’ quarterback has been playing with a broken thumb, he told reporters on Wednesday.
Asked how big a challenge that has been, Rodgers said, “I think I’ve had worse injuries I’ve played with, so definitely a challenge but the days off definitely help this week.”
He believes this isn’t the most an injury has affected his throwing, however.
“When I hurt my knee in 2018, you throw from the ground up, so that was definitely difficult from the footwork,” Rodgers said. “When I broke my index finger in college, that was probably a slightly more important finger to deal with.”
He relayed that at the time this former Cal coach Jeff Tedford told him he could miss one day of practice in a week but if he missed a second, he would be out.
Aaron Rodgers confirmed today his right thumb has been broken since Week 5, when the injury happened on the last play in London.
Here he is talking about it for a bit. Surgery has never been a thought and it won’t be after the season, either, he said. pic.twitter.com/FbbMOkXYtc
Rodgers said the thumb injury happened Week 5 in the Packers’ loss to the Giants in London, per The Athletic. He said he did not consider surgery, and that it will also not be necessary after the season.
Starting with that defeat to the Giants, the Packers have lost five out of their past six games to fall to 4-7.
Rodgers has not been performing up to the caliber of being the two-time defending NFL MVP in that stretch and played particularly poorly in a can’t-lose game at home against the Titans last Thursday night in which Green Bay fell 27-17. Rogers has completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,542 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions to just a 41.8 quarterback rating this season.
Aaron Rodgers confirmed that he has been playing with a broken thumb for the past five games.Getty Images
Green Bay currently is a longshot to make the playoffs. Their odds on FanDuel to make the postseason are +660 and odds to miss are -900. This means they have about a 13 percent chance to make a run to the playoffs from here.
Mike McCarthy has a street named after him next to Lambeau Field, where he helped lead the Packers to 125 wins, three NFC Championship and a Super Bowl title, before he was unceremoniously fired in the middle of the 2018 season.
Now, he will returns to Green Bay on Sunday for the first time as an opposing coach, leading the Cowboys (6-2) against the struggling Packers (3-6), losers of five in a row.
It has been a trying season for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, and McCarthy and his Cowboys can make it even worse.
It will surely be an emotional reunion between McCarthy and Rodgers, who won 113 games together and spoke fondly of each other during the week.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing Aaron,” McCarthy told reporters. “We’ve had great communication. I have nothing but love and gratitude for him. We had some great times, great moments. He made me a much better coach.’’
Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP, spoke this week of how McCarthy made him a better quarterback.
“[I’m] thankful for the incredible highs that we had, and there were many of them, and thankful for the lows moments too, because it gives you perspective on life,’’ Rodgers said.
Mike McCarthy returns to Green Bay when the Cowboys face the Packers on Sunday. AP
Rodgers, on his weekly spot on “The Pat McAfee Show,” said he planned to give McCarthy “a big old hug, I can tell you that much.
“I’m excited to see Mike. We’ve shared some messages the last couple weeks. I know it means a lot to him to come back. I really hope the reception for him is as warm as it needs to be. He’s got a street named after him, obviously we won a Super Bowl together. He meant a lot to the town for 13 years, a big part of our success.
“Obviously, he’ll be in the Packers Hall of Fame at some point. I think it’s important we honor him the right way. Mike has a big heart, hopefully he lets the emotions flow a little bit.”
McCarthy got choked up during the week when he was asked what he misses most about his 13 years in Green Bay.
“The people,” McCarthy said. “Our kids were born there, raised there … the lifestyle in Dallas, Texas, is incredible. This has been an incredible opportunity for us as a family. Jessica [his wife] was born there, our kids were born there. I miss the people.”
McCarthy even chided the Dallas-area reporters for trying to get him to cry.
Mike McCarthy, left, with Aaron Rodgers while with the Packers. AP
Above all, he’s trying to win a game and keep pace in the NFC East, in which all four teams are above .500.
“Just like anything, you have to get ready to go win,’’ he said. “Obviously, I have great memories about Green Bay and I spent a lot of time there, but I’m four years removed from working there.”
McCarthy did acknowledge to ESPN that his firing “left a dent, just to be honest, with our family.’’
As it should have. McCarthy, who had the second-most wins and fourth-highest winning percentage in Packers history, should never have been fired in the middle of the season, 4-7-1 record or not. The man led Green Bay to the Super Bowl XLV title, reached the NFC Championship game four times, made the playoffs nine times and won the NFC North six times.
“We’re so much better because of it,’’ McCarthy said of his life since being fired. “We’ve had time to process it all and it’s a little unique.’’
Sunday is sure to be unique. McCarthy and his Cowboys can drive a dagger through the hearts of his struggling former team, leaving it for road kill in the NFC North.
It’s difficult to imagine that giving McCarthy any added joy as he drives out of the town he used to love, perhaps even on the street named after him.
The veteran Packers receiver was carted off with a high ankle sprain during a 27-10 loss against the Jets last Sunday. Cobb said he expects to return in two to six weeks from the injury.
“I felt something pop,” Cobb said to reporters about the injury. “And I thought, ‘This is the way it ends.’ It’s nice to have the good news and to know that I’ll be able to come back.”
Cobb’s absence for the next few weeks impacts an already depleted Packers receiver roster. The 32-year-old ranks second on the Packers in receiving yards (257) and fourth in receptions (18).
Packers veteran receiver Randall Cobb expects to be out for the next few weeks with an ankle sprain.Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
With Christian Watson out from a hamstring injury, Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs are the only two core receivers still healthy.
Green Bay is off to a mediocre start to the season, with a 3-3 record – which is good enough for second in the NFC North.
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