New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers: 2011 Wild Card Recap

Game story

In the Wild Card of the 2011 NFL season on 2012-01-15, the New York Giants took care of business against the Green Bay Packers, pulling away with a 37–20 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) paced the passing game, with -1.64 total EPA, and -6.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, E. Manning (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.48 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-17.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (3:48) (No Huddle) 30-J.Kuhn left guard to GB 40 for 2 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NYG-26-A.Rolle at GB 43. 26-A.Rolle to GB 34 for 9 yards (70-T.Lang).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +23.48 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
2. 2 H. Nicks · New York Giants · Receiving · +13.33 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
3. 3 V. Cruz · New York Giants · Receiving · +8.73 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Driver · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +6.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.24 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Manningham · New York Giants · Receiving · +5.10 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Cobb · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +2.36 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Beckum · New York Giants · Receiving · +1.83 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Kuhn · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +1.52 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New York Giants — H. Nicks (E. Manning pass) (Q1 49:00)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Kuhn (A. Rodgers pass) (Q2 45:00)
• New York Giants — H. Nicks (E. Manning pass) (Q2 30:06)
• New York Giants — M. Manningham (E. Manning pass) (Q4 6:53)
• Green Bay Packers — D. Driver (A. Rodgers pass) (Q4 4:52)
• New York Giants — B. Jacobs (Q4 2:44)

Field goals

• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q1 53:37)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q1 50:38)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q2 31:56)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q3 18:55)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q4 7:53)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New York Giants won the period 10–3. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the GB 13 (Q1 53:37) — (8:37) 9-L.Tynes 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the NYG 29 (Q1 50:38) — (5:38) 2-M.Crosby 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New York Giants found the end zone from the GB 66 (Q1 49:00) — (4:00) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 88-H.Nicks for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 48:47) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

The second quarter: New York Giants won the period 10–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NYG 8 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 30-J.Kuhn for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 44:54) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the GB 5 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 9-L.Tynes 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New York Giants found the end zone from the GB 37 (Q2 30:06); New York Giants added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 30:00) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

The third quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 3–0. Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the NYG 17 (Q3 18:55) — (3:55) 2-M.Crosby 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 17–7. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the GB 17 (Q4 7:53) — (7:53) 9-L.Tynes 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New York Giants found the end zone from the GB 4 (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 82-M.Manningham for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 6:48) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NYG 16 (Q4 4:52) — (4:52) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep middle to 80-D.Driver for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q4 4:46) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New York Giants found the end zone from the GB 14 (Q4 2:44) — (2:44) 70-T.Ugoh reported in as eligible. 27-B.Jacobs right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 2:36) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Green Bay Packers (Q2 33:48) — (3:48) (No Huddle) 30-J.Kuhn left guard to GB 40 for 2 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NYG-26-A.Rolle at GB 43. 26-A.Rolle to GB 34 for 9 yards (70-T.Lang). [WPA -17.0% · EPA -4.53]
• New York Giants (Q1 49:00) — (4:00) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 88-H.Nicks for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.7% · EPA +6.10]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 25:36) — (10:36) 12-A.Rodgers sacked at NYG 37 for -7 yards (72-O.Umenyiora). FUMBLES (72-O.Umenyiora), RECOVERED by NYG-34-D.Grant at NYG 37. 34-D.Grant to NYG 37 for no gain (70-T.Lang). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -5.29]
• New York Giants (Q2 30:06) — (:06) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 88-H.Nicks for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +6.01]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 30-J.Kuhn for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +2.09]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Green Bay Packers (Q4 7:08) — (7:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 25-R.Grant to GB 44 for 10 yards (21-K.Phillips). FUMBLES (21-K.Phillips), RECOVERED by NYG-93-C.Blackburn at GB 44. 93-C.Blackburn to GB 4 [WPA -5.8% · EPA -7.05]
• New York Giants (Q1 49:00) — (4:00) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 88-H.Nicks for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.7% · EPA +6.10]
• New York Giants (Q2 30:06) — (:06) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 88-H.Nicks for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +6.01]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 25:36) — (10:36) 12-A.Rodgers sacked at NYG 37 for -7 yards (72-O.Umenyiora). FUMBLES (72-O.Umenyiora), RECOVERED by NYG-34-D.Grant at NYG 37. 34-D.Grant to NYG 37 for no gain (70-T.Lang). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -5.29]

Quarterback report card

A.Rodgers led all passers in efficiency for Green Bay Packers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 58 dropbacks · 44.8% completion · -6.7% CPOE · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.64 total EPA
• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 35 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +5.1% CPOE · +0.67 EPA/play · +23.48 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New York Giants generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs -0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Green Bay Packers: 11 drives, -2.83 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 12 drives, +18.99 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New York Giants leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• E. Manning (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Rodgers (GB) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• E. Manning (NYG) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q1 53:37 · GB 13 · Score 3-0
   (8:37) 9-L.Tynes 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
2. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q1 50:38 · NYG 29 · Score 3-3
   (5:38) 2-M.Crosby 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
3. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 49:00 · GB 66 · Score 9-3
   (4:00) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 88-H.Nicks for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 48:47 · GB 2 · Score 10-3
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
5. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · NYG 8 · Score 10-9
   (15:00) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 30-J.Kuhn for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 44:54 · NYG 2 · Score 10-10
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
7. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 31:56 · GB 5 · Score 13-10
   (1:56) 9-L.Tynes 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
8. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 30:06 · GB 37 · Score 19-10
   (:06) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 88-H.Nicks for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was
9. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · GB 2 · Score 20-10
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
10. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q3 18:55 · NYG 17 · Score 20-13
    (3:55) 2-M.Crosby 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
11. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 7:53 · GB 17 · Score 23-13
    (7:53) 9-L.Tynes 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
12. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 6:53 · GB 4 · Score 29-13
    (6:53) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 82-M.Manningham for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 6:48 · GB 2 · Score 30-13
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
14. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 4:52 · NYG 16 · Score 30-19
    (4:52) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep middle to 80-D.Driver for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 4:46 · NYG 2 · Score 30-20
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
16. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 2:44 · GB 14 · Score 36-20
    (2:44) 70-T.Ugoh reported in as eligible. 27-B.Jacobs right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 2:36 · GB 2 · Score 37-20
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.