Green Bay Packers keys to victory: Divisional round playoffs
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) celebrates with receiver Dez Bryant (88) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
1. On defense, pick your poison.
The Packers will simultaneously be facing one of the league’s top quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. This is not an enviable task, but if the Packers can eliminate one of the three legs from the Cowboys’ table, they could send it crashing to the ground.
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An early lead would be the dream scenario for the Packers, allowing them to give a greater focus to Tony Romo and Dez Bryant while trying to keep damage from the running attack down to a manageable level. Assuming that isn’t the case, however, Dom Capers will need a creative strategy to eliminate one of these threats, and I trust that he’ll have one ready.
I believe that the Packers should give their focus to Bryant early on. Double coverage might leave the Packers too exposed, but keeping a Safety over the top of Bryant would allow for the CB to play more aggressively against the extremely physical receiver. The reason I am comfortable with this strategy to begin the game is that it sets up Clay Matthews against DeMarco Murray in the middle of the field.
If the Packers’ defensive ends and outside linebackers can funnel Murray to the inside, Matthews will be given many opportunities to attack the ballcarrier, and his football. Keep in mind that with yardage totals of 81, 59, 100 and 75 over his last four games, Murray has averaged over 4.00 YPC in just one of those matchups: a blowout win over the lowly Washington Redskins.
The flow of the game is sure to change this strategy, perhaps several times, but at some point on Sunday the Green Bay Packers will be forced to put one of their units up against one of the league’s top players without any additional support. Green Bay’s ability to win these matchups will have a great impact on their ability to win this football game.