Toughest Matchup for the Packers?

[vince]

It seems that Capers is confident that they CAN shut down the run by going base when they need to and therefore plays nickel first in a lot of games. This D has done a pretty decent job stopping the run in nickel at times (not all the time), which obviously is the best of both worlds.

Pittsburgh runs it fairly well (11th ranked), so I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of the Packers' single-deep base look that we saw against the Bears with Woodson at SS on early downs.

[mission]

I like The Freezer more than The Garaji.

What about Raj Mahal? They called him that in high school. :P

Just playing around--super high on Raji right now. Only problem i have with freezer is that it compares him to william perry who i don't think is on the same level as the Raj.

[Smidgeon]

It seems that Capers is confident that they CAN shut down the run by going base when they need to and therefore plays nickel first in a lot of games. This D has done a pretty decent job stopping the run in nickel at times (not all the time), which obviously is the best of both worlds.

Pittsburgh runs it fairly well (11th ranked), so I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of the Packers' single-deep base look that we saw against the Bears with Woodson at SS on early downs.

What was the Falcons' rush attack ranked? How much was Capers in his nickel look for that game?

[Guiness]

What was the Falcons' rush attack ranked? How much was Capers in his nickel look for that game?

you read my mind

[vince]

The Falcons' rush attack was #12 this year, just behind the Steelers. I don't have statistics but can say that the Packers did play a fair amount of base in that game, particularly on early downs in the first half. They'll go nickel regularly right away every time if they stuff the run on first down from base.

Obviously Turner is a more punishing RB than Mendenhall, but either way, the Packers do a better job of filling gaps in their 3-4 than nickel.

[Joemailman]

Steelers are a decent running team, not a real good one. Their 4.1 YPC ranked 17th. They are 11th in overall rushing because they run the ball a lot, not because they run exceptionally well. I don't think their running game will force Dom to move away from what has gotten the Packers to where they are.

[vince]

The fact that the Steelers commit to the run would be another indication that the Packers may play more base on early downs I'd think. Mendenhall had a nice game (27 for 121) against the Jets last week.

[steve823]

That's what they tell us, but Capers propensity to run the nickel on 75% of the plays makes you believe he finds it much more important to shut down opposing passing games. This game might be an exception. Like Atlanta and the Jets, the Steelers have the potential to run it down our throats all day if we don't show we can stop it early, so I think it will be the early focus in this game.

Agreed. I also think Capers running nickel most of the time shows you that we have 3 great CB's and he wants all his best players on the field at the same time, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him continue the trend and use only 2 lineman with 3 cbs.

[steve823]

The fact that the Steelers commit to the run would be another indication that the Packers may play more base on early downs I'd think. Mendenhall had a nice game (27 for 121) against the Jets last week.

Yup, great game. He had a lot of yards after contact too, butI'm not sure if that says a lot about his ability to break tackes or the Jets inability to tackle. Might be a combination of both.

[vince]

I don't think their running game will force Dom to move away from what has gotten the Packers to where they are.

The Packers tendency has been to match up to what they expect the other team to do. They've had games where they've played 100% nickel and other games where they played base until they got into passing situations. 2nd and 3rd & anything over 2 are pretty much passing situation as far as the Packers' D is concerned.

[RashanGary]

Pittsburgh runs it fairly well (11th ranked), so I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of the Packers' single-deep base look that we saw against the Bears with Woodson at SS on early downs.

This is what I expect

30% 3-4-4 (with Woodson at SS I think Dom likes this package more)
30% 3-3-5 (this seems to be used more and more lately)
30% 2-4-5 (this seems to be used less and less lately)
10% goalline or dime.

Something like that would make sense against the Steelers. It could change depending on how the game plays out of course, but a close game I think will go something like this.

[Bub]

On offense I'd like to see...

25% 4 or 5 WR
25% T bone (or whatever they call it)
25% 2 TE
15% Freezer Special
5% Short Yardage
5% Victory formation

[Smidgeon]

On offense I'd like to see...

25% 4 or 5 WR
25% T bone (or whatever they call it)
25% 2 TE
15% Freezer Special
5% Short Yardage
5% Victory formation

Assuming a 60 play offense, that would mean 9 plays with Raji in the offense. Really? That's way too many. Plus, you left out Starks' best formation: 1 TE, 1 FB, 1 RB.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think Bub was joking. I'd like to see 90% 4 or 5 WR until we take a 28 point lead. Then, I'd like to see us rune the Bone or Big Bone the last quarter of the game.

[Smidgeon]

Okay. If that's the case, I'd like to withdraw my comment.