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GREEN BAY, Wis. — If the original were a movie, this sequel would be called “Road Warrior II” when the Giants face the Packers today in an NFC Divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field.
Four years ago, the path to Super Bowl XLII traversed through Tampa Bay, Dallas and finally this football-crazed Wisconsin outpost as the Giants won three straight postseason road games.
Last week, the Giants fully enjoyed their first home postseason victory since 2000, mauling the Falcons 24-2 in the Wild Card round. Any additional playoff success will have to come on the road.
“We understand it,’’ Justin Tuck said. “We know that to get to where we want to be we have to embrace it. We won’t have another game in MetLife Stadium this year. Hopefully we have three more road games. That ‘Road Warrior’ mentality is more than just a saying, it has to be something embedded in you.
“Going into hostile territory is easier said than done, especially when you have a team like Green Bay and that home-field advantage that they have in Lambeau Field. Hopefully we can embrace it and wake up some echoes to what it meant to us in ’07-08.’’
* The Packers are 8-0 at home this season and 19-1 in their past 20 regular-season games. They averaged a franchise-record 40.1 points at home. The Packers are 13-3 in playoff games at Lambeau. … Yet another reason why the Packers offense is so great: Only 14 turnovers in 16 games (eight interceptions, six lost fumbles). … The Packers are the least-penalized team in the league with 76. The Giants committed 94 penalties in the regular season. … Fodder for a Giants upset? In the past eight years the No. 1 seed is 4-12 against the point spread in this round of the playoffs.
* Several key players were not in uniform Dec. 4 when the Packers beat the Giants 38-35. Two of them, inside linebackers Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk, are back to anchor the middle of the Green Bay defense. Both were hurt and on the sideline the first time around, and their presence should be critical in the Packers’ ability to stop the run. Bishop led the teams with 142 tackles and Hawk was third with 104.
“I have no idea how different it’s going to be,’’ Brandon Jacobs said. “I don’t care either way. I don’t care who’s in there, that’s just the way I feel and I hope everybody else on our football team feels the same way. I don’t care who’s back, who’s playing, it doesn’t bother me one bit.’’
* The Giants run defense has improved dramatically in the three-game winning streak, allowing an average of 72.7 yards against the Jets, Cowboys and Falcons. In their 14 previous games, the Giants allowed 123 rushing yards per game. It is no coincidence those running lanes closed up once linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka was challenged by the coaching staff to get more involved.
“I’m doing my part,’’ Kiwanuka said. “It’s important for me as a player, if somebody asks you to do something you make sure you go out there and pay attention to it. That part of my game has definitely improved. I’m always going to be involved in the run and if they break a run and I’m over on that side I’ll feel like I let the team down.’’
Does any of that matter against the pass-happy Packers? Well, last season, the Packers ran it down the Giants’ throats early in a 45-17 rout.
* The only reason wide receiver Greg Jennings did not lead the Packers in receptions is because he missed the final three games with a sprained knee. Jennings finished with 67 catches, one fewer than team-leader Jordy Nelson. Jennings is back for this game.
“That does give them another weapon on the field,’’ safety Kenny Phillips said. “His injury is pretty tough to come back from running full speed, so I think if we get physical with him that will help us a lot.’’