While the bye week was nice, it is quickly coming to an end and after the Dallas Cowboys’ brilliant comeback over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. It looks like the Packers might have their work cut out for them. The Cowboys looked shaky during the first quarter after the Lions took a 14-0 lead but looked like a serious contender afterwards. They put together a great touchdown drive in the second quarter and then held Detroit to just three points in the second half.
While the Packers do have a great deal of prep to take care of before Sunday’s game, they have what it takes to make Romo and company walk away from Lambeau in shame. The following are the keys to a Green Bay victory on Sunday.
1. Aaron Rodgers’ Calf
Even with the calf clearly bothering him in week 17 against the Lions, Rodgers still played an amazing second half and secured the game for the Packers. However, it is obvious that the more he has recovered, the more mobile he will be. A mobile Aaron is a productive Aaron, as few quarterbacks in the league can avoid sacks like he can. Fortunately for him, he has a very respectable offensive line which has allowed him to be sacked just 29 times in 16 games in 2014, which is sixth fewest among all quarterbacks who played all 16 games. If he has made a significant recovery and the big boys up front can keep him safe, that is a major plus for the Green and Gold.
2. Heavy and Consistent Pass Rush on Romo
Throughout the year, the Green Bay Packers have sacked their opposing quarterback a total of 41 times. They do not have the best pass rush in the league but they are tied for ninth. The Cowboys on the other hand, had just 28 sacks on the year, good enough for 28th in the league, which is good news for the first point about keeping Rodgers safe.
With regard to the Packers’ chances getting after Romo however, he was sacked just 29 times on the year, one more than Rodgers. The bottom line is: both of these teams have quarterbacks who can avoid a sack or two and have fairly competent offensive lines. But with that said, Romo has some great receivers and any pressure Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Daniels and Mike Neal (the Packers’ top sacking defenders in 2014, with 11, 9, 5.5 and 4.5 respectively) can provide will make the job that much easier on the secondary. Furthermore, an effective pass rush can interrupt the run game as well which leads into point three.
3. Stop DeMarco Murray
Not many teams have been able to, but it will be necessary in this game for the Packers to stop Murray. He had just four games under 100 yards rushing in 2014, and the Packers will need everything and then some out of their 23rd overall rush defense. Overall however, what has been most impressive about the Packers’ defense is that at several key times throughout the season, they have made incredible stops.
Despite starting out downright poor, the defense has come to function as a decent unit, which has included some pleasant surprises. Among those stand Julius Peppers, who has stepped up in run support as well as pass rushing. Letroy Guion was the other free agent addition to the Packers’ front seven. B.J. Raji was originally supposed to start at nose, but with his injury, Guion stepped in and has made stops behind the line, sacks and some great stuffs on fourth down and short situations. Moving into the secondary, safeties Morgan Burnett and rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix led the team in tackles in 2014 and have both stepped up time and time again to make key plays against the run.
4. Offense Needs to Operate Business as Usual
This is plain and simple. The need for Aaron Rodgers has already been discussed, but the rest of them have a job to do as well. This Packers offense is first overall in points per game, and that is due to more than one man. The Cowboys have a decent rush defense but ultimately, if Eddie Lacy gets a head of steam, he will be able to rip through their linebackers like any other team.
More importantly, the Cowboys are 26th in terms of pass defense. They’re down there with the Buccaneers, Steelers and Saints, which is good news for an offense with two receivers who’ve caught ten or more touchdown passes. Eddie Lacy added 427 yards receiving and four touchdowns, while Andrew Quarless caught three at tight end including the last second winner against the Miami Dolphins. Finally, rookies Davante Adams and Richard Rodgers caught for 446 with three touchdowns and 225 yards with two touchdowns respectively. They are a great group and Aaron Rodgers can throw to all of them. If they operate as they did in the regular season, half the battle will be won. Cobb and Nelson have a great mind-meld with Rodgers and the rest of the crew can be relied upon as well.
5. Packers’ Secondary
Point two was the need to get a steady pass rush on Tony Romo, but the defense won’t be able to get after him every play; not with an offensive line like the Cowboys have. In addition to minding DeMarco Murray, Burnett and Clinton-Dix will need to back up Tramon Williams and Sam Shields in coverage. Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley all have the potential to be lethal.
Shields and Williams have been good overall in 2014 but not without some major burns for each of them. As stated above, it will take a great showing to lock down Bryant, but special care will have to be taken with regard to Jason Witten as well. Expect either Sam Barrington or Brad Jones to be on him throughout the game, if not Burnett. Managing Romo and his offense will be difficult, but it is doable.
A Final Note
For those experiencing fear because the Cowboys were perfect on the road this year, concern may not be warranted. Granted, they beat the defending Super Bowl champs in Seattle, which is phenomenally impressive. However, the only other good team they beat on the road was the Eagles, who did not have Nick Foles. Mark Sanchez looked alright, but ultimately couldn’t lead the offense like Foles did.
Looking at the other six teams the Cowboys beat on the road (Titans, Rams, Jaguars, Giants, Bears and Redskins) it’s clear that they beat one and a half great teams on the road and six bottom feeders. Fine, it is more difficult to win on the road in the NFL compared to other sports, but looking realistically at the Cowboys’ success, the numbers are scarier than the reality.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @Langtron57. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Main Photo:
