The Green Bay Packers, reeling from two straight losses, face the New York Giants on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants have named Mike Kafka as interim coach after firing Brian Daboll, with Jameis Winston starting at quarterback. Packers coach Matt LaFleur faces pressure to revive a struggling offense against one of the NFL's weakest defenses.
The Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) enter their matchup against the New York Giants (2-8) desperate to halt a two-game skid where they scored a combined 20 points. Coach Matt LaFleur, who guided the team to the playoffs in five of his first six seasons, remains under scrutiny but will continue calling plays for the offense. "As frustrated as anybody may be out there, I promise you that you’re not as frustrated as I am," LaFleur said. "We’re working hard at it. I promise you. We’re working hard, and bottom line is on Sunday, we have to go out and perform better."
The Giants' defense ranks among the league's worst, allowing over 27 points per game and 152 rushing yards on average—31st out of 32 teams. Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who completed 20 of 36 passes for 176 yards and fumbled in a recent loss to Philadelphia, sees opportunity. "They’ve given up a lot of explosive runs, but I think we’ve got to come into it with the mindset that we’re going to play our game," Love said. "Obviously, we want to establish the run and be able to take advantage of that, but also at the same time, I want to be able to throw the ball."
New York's interim coach Mike Kafka makes his debut following Daboll's midseason dismissal, the franchise's second such firing in over 90 years. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is sidelined by concussion protocol from a game against Chicago, paving the way for Jameis Winston's Giants debut. Winston, last playing 11 months ago with Cleveland, praised the Packers' defense: "Their defense is a true bend-but-don’t-break defense. This is one of the fastest defenses that we’ve seen in terms of how they run to the football. They’re high energy, and they’re very sound." He added about Kafka: "I’m excited for Kaf. I know he’s been waiting on this moment—not waiting but preparing for this moment to be a head football coach. And I know he’s going to do the best that he possibly can."
Green Bay's top-five defense could be pivotal, led by safety Xavier McKinney, who spent his first four NFL seasons (2020-23) with the Giants and recorded nine interceptions in 49 games there. An All-Pro in 2024, McKinney returns to face his former team. "I don’t get into all that," he said. "I just try to go out there and play a good game regardless of who I’m playing... It’ll be fun just to be back in the city, though, and get to see a lot of old faces and familiar faces." The Packers are 7-point favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook.
An injury mars Green Bay's preparation: Offensive lineman Jenkins suffered a left ankle injury against the Eagles and was placed on injured reserve, with LaFleur deeming his season-ending return "highly unlikely." Sean Rhyan is expected to start at center. Love noted the challenges: "He’s got a lot on his plate, and we’ll just kind of work through the week... Obviously, we’ll be on silent count with the away game, that plays a whole other factor in Sean’s thought process being at center."