Good afternoon, everyone. On Sunday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers will take on the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field. The Packers are looking to build their winning streak to 3 games. This week, they get to be in front of their home fans in cooler conditions than in Tampa last game. The Patriots are a weaker team than in years past, but they can pose a threat if the Packers are not careful enough. Green Bay still needs to do their best on all sides of the ball to win this game. Let’s get started with the preview.
On offense, the offense needs to focus on doing their job well through all four quarters of play. It all starts with the offensive line, who has both a healthy David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins playing. Josh Myers is also playing on Sunday after he exited the game with cramps last week. Every lineman (plus any additional blockers) need to create gaps for the running back duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to run through. Jones and Dillon should be the focus of the attack on offense, both on rushing and passing plays. I have no doubt that they’ll get plenty of yards against the Patriots defense. The offensive linemen also need to do a great job protecting Aaron Rodgers from the Patriots pass rush, which should be less fierce than Tampa Bay’s. For Rodgers, he needs to throw the ball in rhythm (plus accurately) and not hold it for a long time hoping for a shot play. If the Packers run the ball well, then those play-action shot plays can be done with any of the receivers, whether they are veterans like Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb or rookies like Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. Speaking of the receivers (and the tight ends), it is up to them to run their routes precisely and catch each pass thrown by Rodgers (other than throwaways). In addition to the catching duties, the receivers also need to help block for run plays or screen passes, with Allen Lazard doing a great job last week as an example. Most importantly, the Packers offense needs to sustain plenty of long drives, which should each end with a touchdown. They should also avoid turnovers, going three and out, and, in the event something like that happens, getting into a funk offensively. If they can avoid lull moments on offense (plus penalties and turnovers), then I am confident that the Packers can put up at least 30 points for the first time this season.
On defense, it all starts with keeping the Patriots ground game in check. The defensive front, led by Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Preston Smith, and De’Vondre Campbell (plus rookies Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker) should have no problem tackling the ball carriers for minimum gain. Considering that they did a pretty good job last week, I wouldn’t expect them not to do the same on Sunday at Lambeau. If the defense is able to stop the ground game in its tracks, then they can get after the quarterback and frustrate him all game long. Normally, the starter for New England would be Mac Jones. However, Jones suffered a high ankle sprain against Baltimore the previous week. Because of that, Brian Hoyer is the starter for the Patriots. To make things worse for Hoyer, wide receiver Jakobi Myers is out for Sunday due to a knee issue. As a result, Hoyer might have to resort to check downs when he is not being sacked by the Packers defense, which might be a few times. Even if Jaire Alexander won’t be able to go on Sunday, the defensive back group of Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage should be able to cover New England’s pass catchers well. The most important thing that the Packers need to do on defense is to keep New England from converting third downs and sustaining long drives (plus scoring too many touchdowns). The crowd noise should help the defense with this task. In addition, the defense needs to capitalize on any turnover chances, whether they be interceptions or forced fumbles. If the defense has to get a clutch stop, I have no doubt that they’ll be ready for anything to preserve a Packers home win.
On Special Teams, all the Packers need to do is to keep their great play going. Pat O’Donnell needs to continue punting well and deep into New England territory when he is called upon. In addition to punting, O’Donnell needs to secure each hold for the field goals and extra points. Mason Crosby needs to keep making all of his kicks. It all starts with long snapper Jack Coco and the line protecting the kicks. As long as they do their jobs well, Crosby and O’Donnell should have no problem on Sunday. As far as punt returns go, Amari Rodgers needs to make the most of of his opportunities. Of course, it wasn’t his fault that two good returns were nullified due to penalty last week (the first such penalty was a whole bunch of baloney). If he has a great return chance, then he needs to follow the blocks and run north and hope that it’s not called back for some weird reason. If there’s not such an opportunity, then he needs to fair catch the ball cleanly with no fumbles. On the other side, the coverage unit, which includes Rudy Ford and Keisean Nixon, needs to keep the Patriots from returning any punts and kickoffs for a big gain of yards. The best way to avoid these long returns is for Crosby to kick each ball out of the end zone for a touchback and for O’Donnell to aim each punt deep and out of bounds. I give major kudos to Rich Bisaccia for getting this unit to play well through 3 weeks. Hopefully that great play continues on Sunday.
Overall, I am looking forward to the game on Sunday. I don’t really believe that this game will be a “trap game”. However, I have to take to account that Bill Belichick can come up with something to confuse Green Bay. As long as the Packers execute on all sides of the ball, they should win by at least 2 touchdowns. Most importantly, I pray that there are no further injuries on Sunday for either team. I’ll be back for the recap of the game on Monday or Tuesday. Have a great weekend, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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