Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots: Keys to Victory

Oct 5, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) but was nullified by a penalty during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. New England Patriots defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 43-17. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

2.  Don’t let Revis control the game plan.

Darrelle Revis leads a Patriots defense that is not elite, but is fairly strong in all areas.  His play has kicked into a higher gear in the recent weeks, but in this situation, I think it would be wrong to avoid Revis completely.

The Packers are still struggling to establish a strong third option in the passing game, with rookie WR Davante Adams still a few steps away and the Tight End group producing very little.  Given this, allowing Revis to eliminate one of Randall Cobb or Jordy Nelson from the game plan would severely limit the options that Aaron Rodgers has.

It will be interesting to see where Revis does line up on Sunday, as Bill Belichick may choose to match him physically with Randall Cobb.  I suggest this may happen because when the Patriots faced the Detroit Lions, Revis lined up against the smaller Golden Tate, while Brandon Browner took the larger physical matchup in Calvin Johnson.

Nelson’s deep speed may be too much for Browner to handle, and the same could be said for Cobb’s quickness on the inside.  He is a player who is very much prone to pass interference penalties, so don’t be surprised if Aaron Rodgers tests him deep.

Still, Revis cannot be ignored.  With just 3 INT on the season, all of which have gone off the hands of his receivers, Aaron Rodgers can be trusted to put the football in places where Revis cannot make a big play.  Attacking Revis’ side of the field will keep the defense honest, much in the same way that running the football would, and will go a long way to Green Bay’s success on Sunday.