Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills: Packers’ Keys to Victory
Dec 8, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) high fives fans following the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 15 to face the 7-6 Buffalo Bills, who are clinging to a ray of hope in the AFC Playoff race. At 10-3, the Green Bay Packers have won their last five games and continue to chase the Arizona Cardinals for top spot in the NFC.
Their Week 14 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night football showed that the Green Bay Packers are not untouchable, even at home. Their defense, which has been on the upswing through November, fell back into old habits for much of the second half, leaving the door open for WR Julio Jones to have a career day.
Buffalo is coming off a loss to the Denver Broncos, but showed signs that they can keep pace with the NFL’s elite in a losing effort. Peyton Manning was held without a touchdown in one of the poorest outings of his career, and had it not been for a huge day from RB C.J. Anderson, the one-posession Broncos’ victory could have swung the opposite way.
This matchup will offer one of the premiere showcases of strength vs. strength that the NFL has to offer. Aaron Rodgers, arguably performing better than any offensive player in the NFL, will face a Buffalo Bills defensive line that has been absolutely dominant in 2014. With Marcell Dareus, Mario Williams, Jerry Hughes and the forever-underrated Kyle Williams along the defensive front, Rodgers will be under pressure all day long.
For the Packers, like any team in December, injuries are starting to become more of an issue. Cornerback Davon House will miss Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, while RB Eddie Lacy has been limited a great deal by a hip injury this week. Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Lacy seemed confident and was probable to play, but it appears likely that backup James Starks will help shoulder the load.
With the Arizona Cardinals winning Thursday Night’s Field Goal kicking competition, the Packers continue to chase the #1 seed and guarantee of home field advantage throughout the playoffs. With the Cardinals steadily performing despite their growing injury list, Green Bay may need to win out to accomplish this. Across the field, however, is not a team to be taken lightly. The Buffalo Bills match up well in several areas, and will be treating this as a must-win football game.