Green Bay Packers
Throw to run
Whomever starts at quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, and Aaron Rodgers hadn’t been ruled in or out as of Thursday, the team needs good quarterback play. With no passing threat, the Packers can’t get anything going on the ground as teams stack the line of scrimmage to stop the run. As good as rookie running back Eddie Lacy has been, he can’t overcome those numbers. Passing the ball will balance the offense and give the Packers a chance to score some points.
Defensive stand
After an embarrassing performance on Thanksgiving Day, and for the last month, the Packers’ defense is running out of chances to prove it can stop someone, anyone. The Atlanta Falcons have been disappointing this year, but still have weapons that can hurt a struggling Packers defense. The defensive line has to stop Steven Jackson, who is coming off his best game of the season with two touchdowns and 84 yards on 23 carries. The D-line also needs to get after quarterback Matt Ryan, who has been sacked 30 times behind Atlanta’s porous offensive line.
Atlanta Falcons
Score quickly
The Falcons stayed patient in a win over the Buffalo Bills last week and the result was 30 carries for 151 yards and three touchdowns between Jackson and Antone Smith. Dedication to the run in most cases is a good thing, but against the Packers the Falcons should be thinking quick scores. Taking an early lead Sunday at Lambeau Field should have the double benefit of taking both the crowd and Lacy out of the game.
Create turnovers
Atlanta needs to win the turnover battle. The Falcons are -11 for the year in turnover ratio, even worse than the Packers’ -4. The Packers seemed to be getting out of its turnover drought against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. If that is the case, Atlanta will need to create some turnovers to give its offense more chances to build and keep a lead against the Packers.
OTHER KEYS
Must-See Matchup
Tony Gonzalez vs. Packers secondary
Tony Gonzalez is considered by many to be the greatest tight end to play the game. A 17-year vet, Gonzalez returned for one more year in the hopes of making one more run at the Super Bowl. The Falcons haven’t had the kind of season many expected, but Gonzalez continues to be a matchup problem for opposing secondaries. With the Packers’ secondary continually struggling, the big tight end could be a factor Sunday. Look for Ryan to target Gonzalez early and often.
Hot Seat
Packers rush defense
The Packers’ rush defense started the season as one of the strongest in the NFL. In recent weeks, the unit has seen its ranking plunge to 26th. Last week, the Packers’ rush defenders gave up 241 yards to Detroit. Lions running back Reggie Bush had 117 yards on 20 carries, while Joique Bell added 94 on 19 carries. If the Packers’ defense wants to turn things around, the place to start is probably with the run defense.
About Due
Eddie Lacy
The rookie running back got bottled up as the Packers fell behind against the Lions on Thanksgiving. Lacy got 16 yards on just 10 carries. Lacy should be primed to get things going Sunday with temperatures dropping and facing the Falcons’ 30th-ranked rushing defense. Increasingly, the Packers are facing eight-man fronts designed to stop the run before he gets a chance to get going. Lacy will have to pick his spots for big gains and continue to grind it out while waiting for the Packers’ quarterback position to make a team pay for loading up against the run.
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