Arizona Cardinals Vs Green Bay Packers: 2015 NFL Divisional Round: Prediction/ Breakdown
1/11/16
Keys to victory for Arizona Cardinals
In order for the Arizona Cardinals to beat the Green Bay Packers, they have to call a good amount of intermediate to long pass plays because the Green Bay Packers typically puts four players on the line of scrimmage to rush quarterback but the rarely get pressure on the quarterback by themselves. The only time Green Bay can get pressure on the quarterback is when they send a linebacker or safety on a blitz. As a result of this, the Green Bay secondary has to cover Cardinals wide receivers for a longer amount of time that leads to players being fatigued on certain plays and leaving wide receivers open. The Cardinals should design plays that have long out, deep curl, comeback and streak routes to take advantage of the fact that Carson Palmer will rarely receive pressure from the Green Bay Packers front four and giving him the opportunity to move the downfield on a consistent basis. While I understand that the Green Bay Packers defense sacked Kirk Cousins 6 times for 59 yards, it cant be overlooked that for most of the game he had ample time to throw the ball.
Keys to victory for Green Bay Packers
Similar to yesterday against the Arizona Cardinals, the Green Bay Packers should aim to feature a heavy dose of the running game because every time Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass he is under constant pressure from opposing defensives since the offensive line isn’t strong and/or quick enough to hold their blocks. As a result of this, Rodgers does not have enough time to sit in the pocket and go thru his reads to make a good throw instead he has to get out of the pocket to try to avoid a negative play. As we saw yesterday, a solution to this problem is calling a lot of running plays during this game because if the Packers dedicate themselves to running the ball they will force the Arizona Cardinals to put more players in the box. Once the Packers force the Arizona Cardinals to put more players in the box this will allow Aaron Rodgers to have more open space on the field to throw his receivers to the ball so they can make easier catches thus reducing his incompletions and/or interceptions because the Packers receivers will likely see more man-to-man coverage.
Ultimately after what we saw yesterday it's hard for me to believe that Mike McCarthy will incorporate the running game early because he has to much faith in Aaron Rodgers ability to throw the ball that he will not adjust until he sees that Rodgers can't find a way to throw the ball. By the time he decides to adjust it will already be to late.
Winner Arizona Cardinals
The Seattle Seahawks Are In Position To Derail The Carolina Panthers https://t.co/TBluflWBrQ via @SportsBlog
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