Green Bay Packers: 3 Keys to Victory in NFC Championship
By Matt LeVene
With the opportunity to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 55 on the line, the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup is sure to be an instant classic. The storylines are certainly there. Following their embarrassing Week 6 performance, the Packers kryptonite was speculated to be the Tom Brady led Bucs. However, both teams have changed and evolved since then, giving this matchup new vigor and excitement.
Aaron Rodgers will be doing something for the first time this weekend, and that is starting in an NFC Championship game in Lambeau Field. In what has been a very storied and phenomenal career, the one thing that has nagged Rodgers is his lone Super Bowl ring. When comparing Rodgers and Brady, the only glaring argument for TB12 is his ridiculous Super Bowl and postseason resume.
This may be the best chance for Rodgers to bring another Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown, so the pressure is on like never before. The Green Bay Packers must come out and be efficient and effective in their game plan and be ready for anything Tampa Bay may throw their way. With that being said, let’s look at some keys to victory for the Pack.
Key 1: Protecting the Football
In their prior matchup, Aaron Rodgers did not play well. This is not a secret. Rodgers posted one of his worst quarters in the NFL against Tampa. In the infamous second quarter, the Packers signal-caller went a whopping 3-13 in the air and threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Needless to say, this is out of the ordinary for Rodgers. In order to get revenge on Tom Brady and the Bucs, Rodgers will need to play significantly better and not turn the football over.
Throughout the storied career of Rodgers, efficiency and ball security have been staples of his game. This year, for example, the man threw 48 regular-season touchdowns and only five interceptions. The multi-interception games are few and far between for AR12. Going off the past, I really think Rodgers will not turn the ball over, and if he does, it will not be for a pick 6 and another near touchdown. In order to win this game, Rodgers will have to play like his normal self and take advantage of every opportunity the defense gives him.
Tampa Bay does deserve some credit here; their defense is stout. They have been ball-hawking and creating turnovers all year. In their last playoff game against Drew Brees and the Saints, the defense carried the team to victory. In a game where Brady led the offense to over 30 points, the spotlight may fall on the 43-year-old quarterback and his array of weapons, but the defense put their offensive unit in advantageous positions all night long. The Bucs turned Brees and the Saints over four times, which led to Tampa scoring 21 of its 30 points from these momentum-shifting plays.
The concept of protecting the football and eliminating turnovers applies to more than just Rodgers for the Packers. Everyone who touches the ball, from Tavon Austin to Aaron Jones, must be locked in and maintain possession of the ball. Untimely fumbles can certainly derail any momentum a team may have–just ask the Browns.
If the Green Bay Packers want to continue their quest towards winning Super Bowl 55, they will need to protect the football and value every one of their possessions. By being efficient with the ball and manufacturing long drives all game long, their shot to head to Tampa Bay for Super Bowl 55 increase exponentially.
Next, let’s look into a key on the defensive side of the ball.