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

Oct 12, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) calls an audible at the line of scrimmage as Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang (70) and Green Bay Packers center Corey Linsley (63) listen at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

3.  Protect the franchise, and escape healthy.

If you’re a follower of the Green Bay Packers, you’ve become familiar with two words over the past few seasons:  Injured Reserve.  Thankfully, 2014 has been much kinder to the Packers, but like any team entering December, the bumps and bruises are growing into more troublesome ailments.

Green Bay boasts suitable depth at many positions, but one could argue that their talent is top-heavy.  If one of Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Clay Matthews or Josh Sitton were to go down, the drop-off in production to the 2nd-string would be significant.  Now, of course the same could be said for many teams in the NFL, but the Green Bay Packers must ensure their health down the stretch, especially Rodgers.

Rushing the football will be the first step, followed by keeping a Tight End on the line to chip defensive ends on deeper routes.  Thankfully for the Packers, though, the Atlanta Falcons’ greatest weakness is their pass rush.

With just 14 sacks on the season, the Atlanta Falcons rank 31st in the NFL, with only the Oakland Raiders being worse.  If things go as Mike McCarthey and the Green Bay Packers plan, Matt Flynn may see some 4th Quarter action, but that is only a best case scenario.

I expect Rodgers to have another very strong day against a small and inexperienced Falcons secondary, but don’t count them out entirely.  They have allowed just 15 TD on the season and forced 14 INT, which cannot be ignored.  Aaron Rodgers should only be required to make passes that are safe and necessary, however, as the Green Bay Packers look for the big win on Monday Night Football.