Packers: 3 position groups that will decide game vs Panthers
The Green Bay Packers have an important game against the Carolina Panthers and these three position groups will decide the outcome.
The Green Bay Packers are looking to keep pace in the NFC arms race and need a victory on Sunday over the Carolina Panthers. The Packers fell to the Los Angeles Chargers last week and fell a bit behind in the race for a first-round bye. At 7-2, they trail the 8-0 San Fransisco 49ers and the 7-1 New Orleans Saints.
With the Panthers coming to Lambeau Field, Green Bay has a chance to get back on the winning track. However, it won’t be an easy game. Even with Cam Newton ruled out, the Panthers are a feisty team who present their own set of unique challenges. It will be fun to see how the Packers respond to just their second loss of the season.
In order for Green Bay to defend Lambeau, these three position groups will go a long way in deciding the outcome.
Packers’ offensive line
Green Bay’s offensive line had an uncharacteristic game last week against the Chargers. Both tackles, David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga, struggled to protect Aaron Rodgers. This led to a long day for the offense, as they struggled to get anything going.
Although the Panthers don’t have the same elite pass-rushers, Mario Adison, Bruce Irvin and Brian Burns are no slouches. If Bulaga and Bakhtiari aren’t on their game, they’ll be in for another long afternoon.
Thankfully, the line has all the talent they need, and then some, in order to bounce back. They’ll have an extra chip on their shoulder, as they look to prove last week was a fluke. If they can keep Rodgers upright and give him some time, Rodgers should be able to have a big game.
Panthers’ running backs
The best player on the field on Sunday will likely be Panthers’ running back Christian McCaffrey. McCaffery is one of the best running backs in the NFL and he’s equally dangerous on the ground or through the air. He already has 1244 total yard and 13 total touchdowns.
McCaffery has taken over games before and Carolina will look to get him the ball early and often. It will be interesting to see how Green Bay elects to cover McCaffery. The most likely option is the use of a safety or corner. They don’t have linebackers who can stick with him in coverage and that would be asking for trouble. If McCaffery can dominate his matchup, his team will have the upper hand.
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Packers’ secondary
Green Bay’s secondary has been picked apart in recent weeks and there’s no end in sight to their struggles. They might also be without Adrian Amos and Jaire Alexander who are listed as questionable for the game. That would spell big trouble for a team who struggled even with two of their best players. If the Packers’ secondary can step up and get back to their forms in the early weeks, they could return to their near-elite form.