Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons: Packers’ Keys to Victory

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs after a catch against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

1.  Don’t let Julio Jones beat you.

Whenever a favorited team game plans against an underdog in the NFL, it is always important to ask one question:  Which one player could change the outcome of the game with their performance alone?  The Green Bay Packers must be focused heavily on Julio Jones.

Without Jones, this team is much worse off than they already are, and he represents the entire identity of the Falcons’ offense.  Most important to the Green Bay Packers is that Jones is operating at full health, and full performance.

In Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals, Julio Jones put up 189 yards and 1 TD against a stingy secondary, even while receiving one-on-one coverage from star CB Patrick Peterson for most of the game.  The Green Bay Packers are strong in their secondary and showing signs of improving further, but there is not a Patrick Peterson to be found on this roster.  Dom Capers will need to scheme against Jones, but first, the Packers will need to learn which personnel will be available to them.

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Sam Shields is still undergoing the NFL’s concussion protocol, and is questionable to play on Monday night.  If active, Shields would likely cover Jones in man coverage, and I would not be surprised to see a safety over the top on Jones for the majority of the game.

Throwing double-coverage at Julio Jones could open up Roddy White to single-coverage on the outside, but against Tramon Williams or Casey Hayward on select plays, that is a risk the Packers should feel more comfortable taking.

Sacrificing a safety would be a crippling risk in some games, but the Falcons’ inconsistent rushing attack allows for the Green Bay Packers to be more aggressive against the pass.  Atlanta ranks 25th in the league in total rushing yards, averaging less than 100 per game, meaning that a safety will rarely be needed to play against Steven Jackson and the run game.

Just like Rob Gronkowski last week, the Packers will not shut Julio Jones down.  Keeping him under 100 yards and out of the end zone would be a massive victory, as he poses the greatest threat to the Green Bay Packers’ shot at 10-3.