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Green Bay Packers: 3 Keys to Victory in NFC Championship

By Matt LeVene

TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 18: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers and the offense line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 18: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers and the offense line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 03: Members of the Green Bay Packer defense celebrate after an interception against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Key 2: Limiting the Bucs’ Run Game

For Packers fans, being gashed by the run in an NFC Title Game is all too familiar of a fate. Looking back to last season, where the San Francisco 49ers ran for an astronomical 285 yards, the Packers cannot allow a performance like this to haunt the organization again. Tampa Bay does not quite have the dominant rushing attack San Fran had last season, but the two-headed monster of Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette can certainly wreak havoc. Looking back to last week against the Saints, Fournette totaled 107 all-purpose yards with one touchdown, and Jones added 62 yards on the ground.

Throughout the regular season, the Packers’ defense was plagued by a porous run defense that gave up 112.8 rush yards per game. However, this number is not that bad of a figure for the defense, considering they gave up historic numbers to the Vikings Dalvin Cook earlier in the season.

The good news for Packers nation is that the D-train has stepped up tremendously in the latter part of the season. Starting with the matchup with back-to-back rushing champ Derrick Henry, the Packers’ run defense performed incredibly well, slowing Henry for much of the game. Then last week against the Rams, the Packers gave up only 96 rushing yards. If the Green Bay Packers can limit the Tampa rushing attack to under 100 yards and force Tampa Bay to be one-dimensional in the Frozen Tundra on Sunday, they just might punch their ticket to Super Bowl 55.

The defensive front headlined by Kenny Clark will certainly be tested in this matchup. Rookie linebacker Krys Barnes and his counterpart Christian Kriskey will have to play vital roles in stopping the relentless Tampa Bay rushing attack. Look for newly acquired Damon “Snacks” Harrison to get more playing time in power running scenarios to help get the Bucs offense off the field.

Now, let’s move back to the Green Bay Packers’ offensive attack for the next key.

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