Last week, the Green Bay Packers took on the Dallas Cowboys and their phenomenal rookies Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. The Cowboys stormed into Lambeau Field and left with a 30-16 win over the Packers. This week, the Pack hosts the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. Here are the Green Bay Packers week seven keys to victory.
Green Bay Packers Week Seven Keys to Victory
Green Bay Pass Rushers vs. Bears Offensive Line
The Packers have been pretty good at getting to the other team’s quarterback, registering 16 sacks through six games, which is tied for sixth best in the NFL. However, last week they were held in check by the vaunted Cowboys offensive line. This Thursday night, it should be easier to rush the passer since the Bears offensive line is ranked 30th in the NFL by profootballfocus.com. Linebackers Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Julius Peppers should get to Brian Hoyer with much more ease this week.
Green Bay Run Defense Should Excel Again
Last week, Ezekiel Elliott ran wild on the vaunted Packers run defense, but this week the Packers will mostly face Jordan Howard and Jeremy Langford. This is easier than stopping the leading candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year and the best offensive line. And, as mentioned above, they are running behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Green Bay is holding its opponents to three yards per carry, including Adrian Peterson, and a mere 72.4 yards per game. The front seven should neutralize the run game, and make the Bears one-dimensional. If the Packers can stop the Bears from running the ball, it will help the pass rushers, but also the offense by giving them good field position.
Green Bay Running Game
The Packers offensive line is one of the best in the league according to profootballfocus.com ranking third behind only Dallas, and Oakland. Despite having a sore ankle, Eddie Lacy managed to rush for 65 yards on 17 carries. To help him recover from his injury, the Packers made a trade for running back Knile Davis, a former member of the Kansas City Chiefs. James Starks has had problems running the ball all season long and has dropped many passes thrown his way, which have hindered the Pack’s struggling offense. Davis will bring quickness and speed to the backfield, and the ability to catch screens, and other various short passes out of the backfield.
Conclusion
The Packers dominant run defense will force Chicago to be one dimensional, which will give the pass rushers many opportunities to get to Brian Hoyer. As a result, the Bears offense will turn the ball over, and the Packers will capitalize.
Green Bay 24-10 Chicago
