The Packers are about to release a brand-new weapon on the Giants’ turf, and insiders warn it could turn the game into utter chaos.QQ
GREEN BAY, Wis. – As the Green Bay Packers stare down a pivotal matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday, November 16, whispers from the sidelines are turning into a roar. Coach Matt LaFleur’s squad, mired in a two-game skid, is on the cusp of unleashing their ultimate weapon: a defensive “LOCK” who’s been locked away for far too long. Lukas Van Ness, the explosive edge rusher whose return couldn’t come at a better time, is primed to flip the script—and the Giants’ offense could be collateral damage.
It’s déjà vu for LaFleur and his resilient Packers. Flash back to 2023: A dismal 3-6 start had Lambeau Field feeling more like a funeral parlor than a fortress. But Green Bay channeled that frustration into a six-out-of-eight-game heater, capped by a playoff demolition of the Dallas Cowboys and a heartbreaker against the San Francisco 49ers. Now, with the NFC North tightening like a noose, LaFleur’s mantra rings truer than ever: “Staying the course.” And this week, that course leads straight to Van Ness—a 6-foot-5, 270-pound nightmare who’s been sidelined since Week 6 but is now knocking on the door of destruction.
The “LOCK” Unlocked: Van Ness’s Road Back to Rampage
Call him the “LOCK” for a reason. Van Ness isn’t just a rotational piece; he’s the human turnstile that seals off quarterbacks’ escape routes and turns pocket passers into piñatas. Drafted 13th overall in 2023 out of Iowa, the former Hawkeye terrorized Big Ten offenses with his blend of raw power and relentless motor. In his rookie year, he notched 8.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, earning a reputation as one of the league’s most promising pass-rush apprentices under the tutelage of Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.
But a nagging foot injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6 sidelined him for nearly a month, leaving Green Bay’s front four feeling a tad mortal. The Packers’ defense, already ranked 12th in sacks entering Week 10, sputtered without his juice—managing just 2.0 sacks combined over the last two losses. Enter Friday’s practice: Van Ness logged his second straight full session, looking every bit the predator in the return-to-play protocol.
“He’s been doing things in the return-to-play process,” LaFleur said post-practice, a sly grin betraying his excitement. “Certainly, you’d like to have more practices under his belt, but if he feels like he can go, we’ll put him out there.”
Listed as questionable on the final injury report, Van Ness is a game-time decision—but all signs point to green lights. His activation isn’t just a roster tweak; it’s a seismic shift. With Van Ness opposite Gary, the Packers’ edge could generate the kind of heat that forces quarterbacks into bad decisions. And against a Giants offense that’s already coughing up the ball like a chain-smoker? It’s a recipe for regret.
Giants’ House of Cards: Riddled with Absences
New York’s woes make Green Bay’s injury bug look like a love bite. The Giants, limping into MetLife Stadium at 4-7, are without their starting quarterback Jaxson Dart, who’s in concussion protocol after a brutal hit last week. That thrusts backup Tommy DeVito—yes, the pizza-slinging folk hero—back into the fray, where he’ll face a Packers secondary that’s opportunistic even on off days.
The bleeding doesn’t stop there. Wideout Darius Slayton (hamstring), offensive tackle Evan Neal (ankle), linebackers Chauncey Golston (elbow) and star edge Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) are all ruled out. Defensive back Tyler Nubin (wrist) and lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee) are doubtful, while corner Paulson Adebo (groin) and linebacker Bobby Okereke (quad) are questionable. It’s a skeleton crew on both sides of the ball, leaving Big Blue’s trenches exposed like a bad blind date.
For the Packers, the injury ledger is lighter. Cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) is out for his second straight, but receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder) and rookie Savion Williams (foot) are questionable after limited practices—both could provide spark if cleared. Guard Aaron Banks, absent from Friday’s outdoor session due to a veteran rest day, is fully expected to anchor the line. And star wideout Christian Watson? His knee/hamstring “injury” is just precautionary soreness. “If it were up to me, I’m not injured,” Watson quipped. “I’m good. No worries for Sunday.”
Golden, who tweaked his shoulder exiting the Week 9 win over Carolina, echoed the optimism: “I feel pretty good. I’m excited about being back on the field and trying to help the team as much as I can.”
Mindset Over Mayhem: LaFleur’s Rally Cry
LaFleur’s pressers this week have been masterclasses in controlled chaos. Amid the injury fog, he’s hammered home the intangibles: “There’s as much mindset, mentality to this as anything. The confidence comes from knowing you put in the work.” The Packers practiced with purpose, tuning out the noise of their skid and zeroing in on self-correction. It’s the same blueprint that ignited their 2023 turnaround—a refusal to fold when the script screams surrender.
And with Van Ness lurking, that mentality sharpens into something lethal. Imagine it: DeVito dropping back, eyes darting, only to meet Van Ness’s vise-like grip. The Giants’ run game, already averaging a paltry 3.8 yards per carry, grinds to a halt. Third downs become auditions for panic. Turnovers cascade like dominoes.
Prediction: Packers Snap Skid, Van Ness Vanquishes
This isn’t just a bounce-back; it’s a bloodbath. The Packers roll into Jersey with revenge on their minds—after all, New York handed them a 27-22 gut-punch in Week 5. But with Van Ness activated as the defensive “LOCK,” Green Bay’s pass rush overwhelms a depleted Giants O-line. Jordan Love exploits the chaos with 250 yards and two scores, while the defense feasts: 4+ sacks, two turnovers, and a final score of Packers 28, Giants 13.
LaFleur summed it up best: “We’ve got to go out and do it.” Sunday, they will. The ultimate weapon is armed, the “LOCK” is engaged, and the Giants? They’re walking into a disaster of their own making.
