Last week, the Green Bay Packers started slowly against their archrival Chicago Bears, but turned it up in the second half. Packer fans only hope this was a sign of things to come. However, this week the Pack will face a much better opponent in the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons may have lost two consecutive games, but they are better than their 4-3 record suggests they are. Without further ado, here are the Green Bay Packers week eight keys to victory.
Green Bay Packers Week Eight Keys To Victory
Packers Linebackers vs. Falcons Running Backs
Three weeks ago, the Falcons were 3-1 prior to a mid-afternoon game against the reigning defending Super Bowl Champions, Denver Broncos. Denver’s defense looked unbeatable, and Atlanta exposed them using Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in the passing game. Coleman gained 132 yards receiving and another 31 rushing, while Freeman had 88 rushing yards and 35 receiving. With Green Bay’s elite rush defense coming in town, the Falcons should use their backs more in the passing game to create openings and move the chains. Will the Packers linebackers be able to cover them throughout the afternoon?
Packers Offense vs. Falcons Defense
The Packers defense is facing a tall task: stopping (or limiting) the Matt Ryan–Julio Jones connection. Micah Hyde told USA Today, ‘the week of the game, every night you go to bed, you’ve got to pray.” So, while the secondary is waiting to see if a divine intervention will happen, the offense will have to step up. Will the Aaron Rodgers–Jordy Nelson connection resurrect? In the second half of last week’s game, it seemed that Rodgers wall only throwing to Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, and Ty Montgomery, which means that Nelson may not have fully recovered from his injury. The biggest problem for the Packers offense is the running game. Eddie Lacy and James Starks are still out, so will Knile Davis, Don Jackson, or even Montgomery coming out of the backfield be enough to keep the Falcons from dropping everyone in coverage?
Packers Front Seven vs. Falcons Offensive Line
The Falcons have not had a dominant offensive line in a long time, which has resulted in a lack of wins for the dirty birds in recent years. While the unit looked good early on, it has been exposed against Seattle and San Diego. The Seahawks and Chargers pass rushers were able to generate constant pressure on Matt Ryan while shutting down the run game, which is what the Packers have done best this season. They lead the NFL in yards per rush 3.1 and yards per game, 71.8. Nick Perry whose 5.5 sacks lead the team will have to generate pressure on “Matty Ice.” Clay Matthews will surely look to pressure a below-average offensive line to do what he does best. If they don’t, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones will carve up what is left of the Packers secondary.
This game could be the turning point in the Packers season. We will learn how good the front seven can be, if the depleted secondary can hold, and whether or not the offense can come back to life, even spurts. Otherwise, it could be a long season in Green Bay.
Green Bay 28-20 Atlanta
