It doesn't matter which metric you look at, the New York Giants offensive line is awful. They are, for example, by far the worst pass blocking group according to a composite of the PFF, ESPN, and SIS metrics. They are 27th in pass block win rate and 28th in the PFF weekly rankings. It's a big opportunity for the Green Bay Packers defensive front, who's played much better lately, to put up a strong performance on Monday Night Football.

Left tackle Andrew Thomas is the only building block of the Giants line. But even he is not playing at the same level he was last year, when the Giants surprisingly made the playoffs — a season that included a win over the Packers in London. Thomas had an elite 89.1 PFF grade last year, and that downgraded to 79.9 so far in 2023.

But the big issue is at right tackle. Among 83 qualified tackles this year, Evan Neal is 81st in PFF grade (39.8), and particularly bad in pass blocking (38.5). He has allowed 30 pressures through 12 games, including five hits and two sacks. In his second NFL season, it's becoming clear that the former seventh overall pick was not a great draft selection.

To get things potentially worse for the Giants and better for the Packers, Neal is handling an ankle injury. He might be limited or even not play — in which case Tyre Phillip, who was signed off the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad two months ago, would be the starter.

The Packers edge rushers are not exactly dominant. The Packers are 23rd in pass rush win rate. But Rashan Gary has been highly impactful, with 41 total pressures, 9.5 sacks, 24 hurries, and two forced fumbles. Preston Smith is not as productive as a pass rusher, but he's had 31 pressures and six sacks. Even rookie Lukas Van Ness, who has a limited role, got a sack against Patrick Mahomes last Sunday.

Gary, obviously, is the great matchup advantage for the Packers. He usually plays on the left side of the defense, so he will face Neal most of the game.

"He's definitely been a force out there," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said about Gary earlier this season. "He's been a big factor, just the energy he brings to the whole group. He is a catalyst. Every time he does anything, everybody else is watching and following him."

Most QB pressures this season:

Rashan Gary – 41
Kenny Clark – 41
Devonte Wyatt – 30
Preston Smith – 30
Karl Brooks – 19

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— PFF GB Packers (@PFF_Packers) December 7, 2023

Interior pressure

In addition to the edge rushers, the Packers adjusted their defensive personnel to create more interior pressure as well. That's why general manager Brian Gutekunst drafted two penetrators, and sixth-round pick Karl Brooks has been a revelation. He's had three sacks and 19 pressures as a role player this year.

Defensive tackle Kenny Clark is also a highly productive player, with 41 pressures and 4.5 sacks — he hadn't had more than four sacks in a season since 2019. Fellow former first-rounder Devonte Wyatt is not a complete player yet, but he also has the ability to create pressure.

Quarterback play

Without Daniel Jones, out for the season with an ACL injury, the Giants have been forced to start undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito — Tyrod Taylor is back from injury, but coach Brian Daboll decided to roll with the young guy after two wins.

However, DeVito is not great at avoiding pressure. He's not very mobile, and his average time to throw is 3.09. That's why he was sacked 28 times even with a limited number of snaps. He has a 3.3% turnover-worthy play rate, which is below average.

Under Joe Barry, the Packers have played better against better quarterbacks, as crazy as it may sound. But they did a good job against Brett Rypien and the Los Angeles Rams. The Giants have a worse personnel, especially the offensive line, and it's a big opportunity for the Packers front to have an impactful performance on Monday night.

Remaining schedule offers clear path for the Packers to make the playoffs

Green Bay is 6-6 and has a 70% chance of making the playoffs