Last week the Green Bay Packers suffered a disappointing a home loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Aaron Rodgers called the team out by saying they looked lifeless through three quarters, and hoped the Colts would fold. In the fourth quarter, Rodgers brought the team back, but fell a mere five points short, 31-26. This week the Packers take on another AFC South team, the Tennessee Titans. Here are the Green Bay Packers Week Ten keys to victory.
Green Bay Packers Week Ten Keys to Victory
Run Defense vs. Titans Running Game
The Green Bay Packers defense does not get nearly enough credit for how well it has played against the run this season. Now, some skeptics will say they only faced one stud running back in Ezekiel Elliott who gashed them for 157 yards. However, even if one includes Elliott’s performance, the Packers allow 75.8 yards per game, which ranks second best in the NFL. On the road, they are significantly better allowing a mere 56 yards per game.
This week, they will face a three-headed monster in quarterback Marcus Mariota, who can fly, and running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. Derrick Henry has flashed big-time potential in Tennessee but has been limited to 221 rushing yards and one touchdown, because Murray has largely functioned as a featured runner thin season. Put simply, Murray is reviving his career in Nashville, in a young, exciting, run-heavy team full of athletes and young stars on the rise. Murray is second in the NFL with 807 yards rushing yards on 174 carries, with seven touchdowns to his credit.
Contain A Versatile Passer
Mariota is a double-threat quarterback that is becoming a good pocket passer. He will soon pass his rookie total touchdown passes (17 vs. 19 a year ago), and he has improved his completion percentage (63.2 to 63.3), and his passer rating (91.5 to 94.1). The former Heisman winner plays inside the pocket, but if dared he can hurt anybody with his running abilities. Just ask Jacksonville Jaguars fans about last year’s wild match-up in Nashville, that ended in a 42-39 home team win for the Titans. As a team, Tennessee averages 144.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks third in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers vs. Spies & Pressure Packages
In last week’s contest against Indianapolis, spies contained Aaron Rodgers fairly well inside the pocket. Safety Clayton Geathers and outside linebacker Erik Walden both thrived in this role for the Colts. The Titans defense is middle of the pack, which is strange considering Dick LeBeau is the coordinator. Look for the Titans to have spies on Aaron Rodgers throughout the afternoon to contain him in the pocket, give some extra time to pass rushers, and limit his ability to get outside to extend the play. The Titans will also utilize pressure packages, using linebackers, safeties, and exotic defensive line blitz packages to try to confuse the Packers offensive line and quarterback the same way they did Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers.
In the end, this will be a fun game that the Packers should in the fourth quarter.
Packers 28-24 Titans.
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