Packers @ Patriots - Preview

[DaBruinz]

Going into this game, there are 2 big questions lingering.

1) Will Aaron Rodgers be cleared to play for the Packers?

2) Will McCourty be 100% with his rib injury?

I watched the Packers yesterday and it was clearly a trap game for their offense. Granted, it didn't help that Rodgers went down, but even with Rodgers in there, they weren't doing well.

The Packers running game is almost non-existent without Ryan Grant. Brandon Jackson can only be described as a huge let down since the Packers drafted him.

Matt Flynn is a very mobile QB. The Pats will have to contain him the way they contained Roethlingsburger, Sanchez, and Cutler because he can beat you with his legs.

The Packers O-line was in shambles yesterday. Their starting left guard, Darren Colledge, went down and neither of his replacements played well..

The Packers defense, though, was playing damn near lights out. And they will do their best to make it hard for the Pats. AJ Hawk and Chad Greenway are the clear leaders there. Cullen Jenkins is tough as nails on that line.

 

[AtivanPatsFan]

Re: McCourty - I believe that even if he's not at 100% for this upcoming game, the Patriots should make sure he's rested, healed, and 110% to go for either Miami, the Bills or beyond.

I don't see any benefit in him playing and re-injuring his rib or whatever the injury happens to be. Resting McCourty would be substantially more beneficial for the Patriots overall especially if Rodgers is unable to go due to his concussion.

edit: clarity.

 

[bbell31]

packers def pose a threat with rodgers in and their defense, if we can beat their d convincingly then we should win the superbowl. Weve faced every type of d after this one, if we get this win then ill b super confident in games to come.:rocker:

 

[Kid~Brady]

I would rest McCourty too. We need him much more in the playoffs then we do for a packers game. We'll just have to hold our breath with Butler and Arrington in all game against Driver and Jennings lol....

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Does anybody know a good site for Packer news? I want each update on Rodgers that I can find. Regardless of our past abilities to make backup QB's look great, his absence would change this matchup drastically. Especially considering their inability to run the ball

 

[BadMoFo]

Going into this game, there are 2 big questions lingering.

1) Will Aaron Rodgers be cleared to play for the Packers?

2) Will McCourty be 100% with his rib injury?

I watched the Packers yesterday and it was clearly a trap game for their offense. Granted, it didn't help that Rodgers went down, but even with Rodgers in there, they weren't doing well.

The Packers running game is almost non-existent without Ryan Grant. Brandon Jackson can only be described as a huge let down since the Packers drafted him.

Matt Flynn is a very mobile QB. The Pats will have to contain him the way they contained Roethlingsburger, Sanchez, and Cutler because he can beat you with his legs.

The Packers O-line was in shambles yesterday. Their starting left guard, Darren Colledge, went down and neither of his replacements played well..

The Packers defense, though, was playing damn near lights out. And they will do their best to make it hard for the Pats. AJ Hawk and Chad Greenway are the clear leaders there. Cullen Jenkins is tough as nails on that line.

FYI, Chad Greenway plays for the Vikings. Think you mean Clay Matthews.

 

[DarrylS]

I would rest McCourty too. We need him much more in the playoffs then we do for a packers game. We'll just have to hold our breath with Butler and Arrington in all game against Driver and Jennings lol....

If he is good to go, would not hesitate in playing him, there is still an awful lot on the line.. a first round bye would be very good for BB to scheme for the next opponent.

 

[PatsDeb]

I am not "worried" about this game, as long as the Pats take it seriously, which I think they will. The guy that scares me the most on the GB defense is linebacker Clay Matthews. That guy is a beast. Our O line will again have to bring their A game to make sure Brady doesn't take a lot of hits.

If Rodgers doesn't go, it probably would be a good time to rest McCourty, but I bet we won't know until game time. If Rodgers plays, GB has had a pretty good passing game all year, despite whatever happened in Detroit (who also played us pretty tough in the first half). Tough decision.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Best D in the league. This will be a huge test for the Pats offense as well as they are playing. They have the pass rush that can pose a problem for TB.

I agree rest McCourty if his ribs are hurting.

 

[patsfan13]

i doubt Rodgers plays it is his 2nd concussion this season.

I would favor resting McCourty if Rodgers is out.

 

[Patspsycho]

Best D in the league. This will be a huge test for the Pats offense as well as they are playing. They have the pass rush that can pose a problem for TB.

Best D in least points allowed per game, and their passing D is ranked 3rd in yards given up, but their run stopping is atrocious- in the lower half of the league. I expect plenty of runs against them.

 

[BrewCity Cheesehead]

Does anybody know a good site for Packer news? I want each update on Rodgers that I can find. Regardless of our past abilities to make backup QB's look great, his absence would change this matchup drastically. Especially considering their inability to run the ball

News Sites:
Green Bay Packers - Sports - JSOnline
Green Bay Packers news | News, sports, features, blogs, photos and forums about the Green Bay Packers | packersnews.com

Fan Sites:
Cheesehead TV: devoted to Green Bay Packers fans worldwide
PackerChatters

From Twitter:
Jason Wilde (jasonjwilde) on Twitter
tom silverstein (TomSilverstein) on Twitter

 

[townes]

Don't know much about the Pack this year but Rodgers plays if he gets the OK from their medical staff, and that is basically about passing specific tests. If so the Patriots are facing a really good QB and a really good defense, and despite their record at home with Brady they still have to be respected. The Patriots are winning because they aren't taking anyone or anything for granted and they would be sorely mistaken to start believing the hype now. If anything they should be made to read Borges all week to find out how bad they suck. I would have recommended Felger as well but can't now that he is acting like a 14 year old girl re: the Patriots; suddenly they are 2007 Patriots, when 2 weeks ago they weren't in the same class as the Jets.

One thing is certain, if Brady continues to play at this level it is going to be really hard for any team to beat them, and to some degree the real test of their team as a whole will come when he has an off day, if they can win then they are definitely for real.

 

[patchick]

Best D in the league. This will be a huge test for the Pats offense as well as they are playing.

I do respect the Packers' defense. But...isn't this now about the 6th time the Patriots have played against the "Best D in the league"? Funny how they all seem to lose that crown after the Patriots come to town.

 

[BrewCity Cheesehead]

I'm thinking 70-30 that Rodgers plays next week. It is his 2nd concussion this year, but neither one appeared all that serious. The first one came on a quarterback sneak and he was practicing the next Thursday with no symptoms. This last one came from hitting the ground when he was tackled on a run (WHY DIDN'T YOU SLIDE??? YOU ALREADY HAD THE FIRST DOWN!!!)

Supposedly, the more concussions you have, the longer it takes to come back from one, but this is only the 2nd concussion in his life, so I think there's a very good chance he'll be ready to go by Sunday night.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

News Sites:
Green Bay Packers - Sports - JSOnline
Green Bay Packers news | News, sports, features, blogs, photos and forums about the Green Bay Packers | packersnews.com

Fan Sites:
Cheesehead TV: devoted to Green Bay Packers fans worldwide
PackerChatters

From Twitter:
Jason Wilde (jasonjwilde) on Twitter
tom silverstein (TomSilverstein) on Twitter

Wow...Useful information from a troll. The Bears trolls were for the most part pretty cool. We need to play the NFC North more often.

 

[patchick]

I'm thinking 70-30 that Rodgers plays next week. It is his 2nd concussion this year, but neither one appeared all that serious. The first one came on a quarterback sneak and he was practicing the next Thursday with no symptoms. This last one came from hitting the ground when he was tackled on a run (WHY DIDN'T YOU SLIDE??? YOU ALREADY HAD THE FIRST DOWN!!!)

Supposedly, the more concussions you have, the longer it takes to come back from one, but this is only the 2nd concussion in his life, so I think there's a very good chance he'll be ready to go by Sunday night.

Thanks -- always glad to hear from opposing fans who actually want to talk football, especially when it's an opponent we don't see much. Any insights you can offer are most welcome.

At first glance, the injury status of Rodgers and McCourty looks like the big story line here. The Packers' pass rush is formidable, but the Pats' OL (including honorary member Alge Crumpler) has been impressive in recent weeks, and the versatility of their running game should keep Matthews and co. honest.

 

[Patspsycho]

Wow...Useful information from a troll. The Bears trolls were for the most part pretty cool. We need to play the NFC North more often.

Troll? I don't think so- there's a difference between a fan who comes to talk pure football and a troll who just comes to take a dump.

 

[MassPats38]

I'm thinking 70-30 that Rodgers plays next week. It is his 2nd concussion this year, but neither one appeared all that serious. The first one came on a quarterback sneak and he was practicing the next Thursday with no symptoms. This last one came from hitting the ground when he was tackled on a run (WHY DIDN'T YOU SLIDE??? YOU ALREADY HAD THE FIRST DOWN!!!)

Supposedly, the more concussions you have, the longer it takes to come back from one, but this is only the 2nd concussion in his life, so I think there's a very good chance he'll be ready to go by Sunday night.

Welcome to the discussion (although it looks like you've been here for some time). I have watched the Packers a few times this year, but don't follow them closely.

The Packers D looks very good (some draft pieces coming together in the form of a now veteran defense), and Rodgers is the real deal at QB. I thought they looked like the top of the NFC early on, but they seem to have put up some clunkers since (Redskins, Miami, Detroit - they played the Falcons tough in the Georgia Dome). Any thoughts on why they struggled in those games?

I would expect Rodgers plays unless he is physically incapable of taking the field as the Pack are playing for their playoff life right now, standing on the outside looking in at 6 teams.

 

[Warren1985]

I dont see anyone beating us again this season unless we lie down in the final game because we have a bye week