Keys to a Packer Win Vs. Dallas

[SnakeLH2006]

First off...I don't think this will be shootout..aka 44-38. Lambeau games in big games are known for turnovers. Our D has to be stout and stop TO obviously.

1) If our young O-Line protects...aka 2 or less sacks we stand a chance with young Arod.

2) We have to outgain Dallas rushing. Sounds like a big feat, but with ARod averaging 30+ a game it's not outlandish. I don't expect much outtta (I got paid and didn't practice Grant)....We'll do OK as Dallas is predicated on D with a pass rush. We get 120 rushing easily.

3) Arod doesn't have to outshine Romo, but he has to limit TO's. He's 4-0 in TD/Int. ratio. He''ll throw at least one and my guess is he has his first subpar game but will produce when it counts late.

4) Hard to do...but limit Romo. He'll have another gaudy game statiscally, but will throw a coupla Favre-type gimmees up for grabs. We need to get 2 picks. If we do, we win.

5) Our D-Line cannot allow Barber to run wild. My prediction is 125 yards rushing for Dallas. That's OK as long as it's not crucial first downs.

6) Special teams may win this game. A huge return by either F. Jones our ace punt returner/KO specialist may decide this game.

7) Much has been made of TO vs. Al or Wood, but this game will be about an unspoken hero one way or the other. We match up well other than TO vs. anyone. Someone steps up or fails miserably and I hope it ain't Al again.

Tons of factors...it will be interesting coming back to this thread after the game, but those IMO are the keys to winning this game. Tough ass matchup.

[mmmdk]

8) Get TO out of Al's head.

9) New legs for Al? Bumping TO is tough.

[SnakeLH2006]

8) Get TO out of Al's head.

9) New legs for Al? Bumping TO is tough.

I'm really worried about Al, but I doubt, aka I really hope they don't match up Al vs. TO one one one. That will be a disaster as he's showing all 34 years and never was burner. He's not a liability as long as he KNOWS he's not the man to go one on one. We can only hope MM learned his lesson last year in allowing that BS vs. TO and Plaxico. He looked really slow in the first two games and Wood SHOULD be the #1 if they go man to man.

On a side note...most good corners proved themselves in college. Wood won a damn Heisman for his ball skills...seems like posters came around to him after his clutch game vs. Detroit, but maybe he wasn't movtivated in Oakland, surprise. I'm a bit T. WIlliams fan, but looked lost on two HUGE plays vs. Detroit, thus not earning my nod as an AL Harris takeover in '09. Fuck Al will be 35 next year (name a competant CB this side of Darrell Green at that age?). Anyway, Al is really showing his age lately, Wood is only 31 but very instinctive..my guess is TT signs a good young FA CB next year or drafts crazy to get him cuz Al is done IMO...should move to safety, but I doubt he makes it there as his ball skills are suspect and never has been a tackler. Perhaps this could be a new thread....depending on this HUGE game. Al has looked ass and T. Will (lacks awareness) is not the answer either. TO has defied his age (steroids) but will kill us today.

Hopefully we can overcome this shit and do well. But Al is done. CB's don't age well and he still thinks he's 25. Although I still do too, and enjoy beating up fools but I'm not paid $5,000,000 dolllars a year to do so or I'd be in hevean.

[packrulz]

I don't think Al is over the hill yet but I think M3 expected too much out of him last year, any CB would need some help against TO, Moss, or Plaxico. The Packers have great depth at LB, why not try out the 3-4 & 2-5 defense against the cowpokes? Our LB's should be able to slow down Barber & Witten, and help out in the secondary. The Packers D will need to step up to win this game.

[Fred's Slacks]

I think its simple. Everyone plays within themselves and doesn't press and we can win this game. Our offense is very good but Dallas is better. Defense is pretty close but I give ours a slight edge. Our special teams could be the best in the league, I give us the edge there also. We're at home and Dallas is coming off a short week after a physical game.

No matter how we play, Dallas is going to score points. Their offense is too good at every position. As long as we don't press and try to do too much we can limit their offensive production to the point were our offense can keep up. Then it comes down to special teams, and I like our chances there.

[RashanGary]

This is a championship level team. It's going to take championship QB play to win because we do not have a great running game. That is Montana/Brady type play where they make the big ones but don't piss away the game with the dumb ones.

[GBRulz]

Also...if we are leading early, let's continue pounding their @sses. None of this conservative BS that could have very easily cost us the first two games.

[Stevogbfan]

The Packers D will need to step up to win this game.

i agree, i for one would like to see another flyin halk sack this week!

[RashanGary]

In defense of McCarthy, they did pass quite a bit during that spurt when the Lions got back in it. The Vikings game was a little more conservative, but they passed more than ran in the Lions game. I went back adn watched to see if it was as conservative as the hype. I didn't chart it, but they took shots. They passed. They just didn't execute.

[The Shadow]

If Harris does not get help with Owens, look for a loooong night.

[oregonpackfan]

If the Packers' defense cannot pressure Romo, it could also be a loooong night.

[bobblehead]

My key to the game is clock management and keeping their defense on the field....we need a running game and we need a lot of short completions. We need our defense on the sidelines and fresh while their offense is out of rythem...that is the key to winning.

The other biggest factor for our defense is 3rd and long. We can NOT let them convert 3rd and 10+...ever. We also need to stop them on most 3rd and 6-9. They will make some big plays, they will have some solid runs, but when they make mistakes and end up 3rd and long we NEED to get off the field.

[boiga]

Hopefully we can overcome this shit and do well. But Al is done. CB's don't age well and he still thinks he's 25. Although I still do too, and enjoy beating up fools but I'm not paid $5,000,000 dolllars a year to do so or I'd be in hevean.

Dude, you're full of it on this subject. Harris is still one of the best bump and run corners in the game. The problem is that no CB in the league has a chance dealing with T.O. one on one unless they have the top pass rush in the league. His skills used in combination with stop-fade routes aren't defensible with a single man because of the advantage given to the receiver in the PI rules.

So, the way to win this match up is described here (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=794872) by Leroy Butler (in the second to last question.) Let Harris follow T.O. all over the field bumping him and keeping him out of rhythm and give Al safety help over top. This will let Al do what he does best with the bump and also give him inside leverage and the opportunity to jump a route. The safety will have the job of always staying between T.O. and the goal to break up big plays, or at least keep him our of the end zone on the long throw. If they manage this successfully, T.O. will be contained and Harris will get a pick 6.

Other keys: Pass rush, and running game. If we can get Grant some space in the middle he'll have another long run. If KGB is breathing down Romo's neck, he'll give up two interceptions. Do this and we win.

[RashanGary]

The other biggest factor for our defense is 3rd and long. We can NOT let them convert 3rd and 10+...ever. We also need to stop them on most 3rd and 6-9. They will make some big plays, they will have some solid runs, but when they make mistakes and end up 3rd and long we NEED to get off the field.

I agree 100%. That and redzone defense. I think we have an advantage when we don't have to worry about or corners getting beat deep. I think we can play aggressive match coverage and bring extra pass rushers (that also happen to be extra defenders behind the line of scrimmage in the run game).

[Pacopete4]

I'd say the keys to the game are just like every football game..


win the turnover and penalty war
time possession
convert on 3rd downs/stop them on 3rd downs
do not settle for FG's inside the redzone
win the field position game


you do those things and ur gonna win a majority of the time

[gbgary]

i know it's simplistic but the key is play calling. piling up first downs and points. keep dallas' offense off the field. keep our defense fresh.

[bobblehead]

i know it's simplistic but the key is play calling. piling up first downs and points. keep dallas' offense off the field. keep our defense fresh.

even more simplistic is....we have to score more points than they do...THAT is the key to winning :P

[packerbacker1234]

8) Get TO out of Al's head.

9) New legs for Al? Bumping TO is tough.

As long as the refs don't give TO an advantage, I doubt he'll get into Al's head. Lest we forget that AL was playing a like a beast on TO early last year up until the refs decided Al Harris never picked off the pass he litterally stole out of T.O.'s hands down the sideline because an "inadvertant whistle" blew which in turn killed the play.

Of course, T.O. never had posession, Harris did, and was pulled out of bounds... but instead T.O. was awarded a catch which effectively gave him the mental edge over Harris.

[Rastak]

No offical game thread yet?

[Harlan Huckleby]

1) If our young O-Line protects...aka 2 or less sacks we stand a chance with young Arod.

not sure they count as young. the tackles are old, wells is in his 5th year, spitz & colledge in 3rd. nit-nit-nitpick

[MJZiggy]

Well, they haven't got their AARP memberships yet...