Most fans believe it's a foregone conclusion the New England Patriots will keep rolling right through the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night. The reasons appear obvious. The Packers are coming off their worst showing of the season in Detroit, Cullen Jenkins and Frank Zombo are defensive scratches because of injury, the Pats have played lights out the last two weeks in particular, dominating both division rival New York and the NFC North leading Bears in Chicago. Lastly, Aaron Rodgers is extremely doubtful coming off his second concussion of the season leaving third year pro Matt Flynn to make his first career start against likely MVP Tom Brady. So is it 8-6, forget the division race and research the wild card possibilities come Sunday night in Foxboro? Probably, but not a certainty. New England hasn't steamrolled everyone on their way to an 11-2 record, they even lost in Cleveland to the Browns this year. The defense has given up plenty of yards and points and the Patriot pass defense is ranked 31st in the league. For the Packers to win, they'll need to be flawless. Absolutely no turnovers against a team that's plus 18 on the giveaway-takeaway table, limit penalties, get much more physical in the running game to help protect Flynn and receivers will have to eliminate drops and gain yards after the catch. On defense, the Packers will have to neutralize New England's ground game with bruiser Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis and little scatback Danny Woodhead. It may be a roll of the dice against Tom Brady but pressure must be applied, probably with the blitz that could expose the secondary to a precise route running wide receiver and tight end corps. A big special teams return would help and the kicking game needs to at least keep even the field position. Eight years ago, the Packers traveled to Foxboro to play the reigning Super Bowl champs with a patchwork secondary and won 28-10. Can history repeat itself with a number two quarterback? We'll find out but if I'm no mistaken, Al Michaels is making the call on NBC and sure, I still believe in miracles.
Click on the link below to hear what the Packers and Patriots are saying about the matchup.
Patriots preview


Comments