Archive for September 12th, 2008
J-Barn’s keys to the Game – Week 2
by J-Barn on Sep.12, 2008, under Game Previews
Keys to this game are not nearly as interesting as last week. This is a game that should be well in hand for the Packers. After beating the media darling Vikings the Packers get to face the Lions. The Lions were giving up over seven yards a carry over the course of the game with Atlanta. Atlanta got 220 yards out of Michael Turner who is no slouch, but then Jerious Norwood got 92 yards on 14 carries. Grant had a day like that playing against the Vikings on a day when he was not full strength. The Lions defense will give up huge point totals. Matt Ryan was throwing 12.38 yards per attempt. The Lions safeties are weak and will get beat over the top. Expect to see several missed tackles on the edges. If Green Bay can get the running backs to the edge or hit wide receivers in the flats expect to see big gains. The Lions defense is the biggest key to the game this week. Life after Rogers is tough on the D-Line. He was notorious for taking plays or games off, but he was the best they had.
I say the defense for the Lions is the key because Atlanta held this team to 21 points and the Falcons are not the defensive team we are. The line is still coming together. Kitna just gets older. The running backs are talented, but they cannot shine without a line to get them somewhere. The receivers are the talent. Johnson and Williams are gamers who will get their touches, but the pass happy attack left with Martz. Do not expect huge things from McDonald or Furrey and expect more passes to the running backs. If our safeties can stay as deep as the deepest we should be able to keep the big play out of the game and keep the offense caged in. Green Bay had troubles last week with the TEs, but no one is scared of a TE in Detroit.
Intangibles in this game will be the possibility of the valley game effect. Green Bay just came off the high victory and first start of Rodgers and Dallas is in the future. Green Bay might be capable of looking past this team, but McCarthy is too good a coach to let that happen. Rodgers knows he is not allowed a down week so he will do all in his power to prepare for this game like all others. The Lions may be hoping to play better this week after the embarrassment of last week, but the talent is hard to overcome. I see this game playing into the hands of the Packers
