Key Battles, Week 15 Edition: Green Bay at Carolina
Even with Aaron Rodgers' return, the Packers face a stiff test Sunday at Carolina.
By dnicholson
Green Bay’s ongoing one-game season is set for a dramatic shift with the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. When Rodgers last started he was an early MVP candidate and the Packers were 4-1. Fast-forward to today and the resilient Packers, riding the wave of down-and-up play from Brett Hundley, are 7-6 with no margin for error.
What’s more, the difficulty ramps up significantly with Sunday’s game. Here are the key battles for the Packers on the road in Carolina.
Rodgers’ return signals Nelson's rise
When the going’s been tough for the Packers this season it’s often been because of the absence of big plays. Even operating at maximum capacity, Green Bay’s offense under Hundley was largely run-heavy and dink-and-dunk in the passing game. With Rodgers back, the Packers must once again flex the ability to make big gains. Jordy Nelson could play a major role in revitalizing the passing game, which has been held in place by Davante Adams, the team’s clear number one receiver. Rodgers said this week that Nelson has “a lot of juice left,” and that he aims to prove it. Before Rodgers went down, Nelson led the league in receiving touchdowns with six. Since then he’s had none. Getting Nelson involved—as well as Randall Cobb—will add dimensions to Green Bay’s offense that have been missing.
Keep the franchise upright
Carolina’s defense is for real, ranking fifth overall. Last week the Panthers front abused Minnesota and its quarterback Case Keenum to the tune of six sacks. The nightmare scenario Sunday involves Rodgers enduring a similar level punishment. Expect to see a healthy dose of Jamaal Williams in the backfield. The rookie running back, perhaps above all, has been a gritty presence in pass protection in addition to being a tough runner and threat as a pass catcher. Aaron Jones is the better pure runner and has home run capability, but Williams’ superior pass blocking is more important at the moment. Don’t expect, however, Rodgers to change the way he plays when a play breaks down. Extending plays is coded into Rodgers’ DNA as a quarterback, robot-collarbone or no. Of course, the rest of us will collectively gasp when he inevitably evades a rusher or takes off for extra yards.
Newton and Co. dangerous on the ground
It’s entirely possible that Cam Newton, with just one 200-yard passing performance in his last six games, can regain form against Green Bay’s banged up secondary. That, of course, wouldn’t bode well for the Packers’ chances—but more importantly, the Packers have zero chance if Newton runs the ball the way he’s capable of. Newton is on pace to have one of his best seasons running the ball and leads all quarterbacks with 583 rushing yards. Against the Vikings, Newton shook safety Andrew Sendejo in the open field and used his speed the rest of the way on a 62-yard run. Dom Capers defenses have historically struggled against mobile quarterbacks. Outside of Newton, the run-heavy Panthers have plenty of ammo with Jonathan Stewart and Christian McCaffrey. The former for his between the tackles and tough running; the latter for his explosiveness and dual-threat ability as a receiver.
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Comments (12)
I bleed green more
December 16, 2017 at 11:50 am
It is going to be a real battle, for me I am thinking the Pack wins but you know the Panthers will not make this easy.
Thegreatreynoldo
December 16, 2017 at 12:42 pm
I wonder if Rip will get more snaps.
I wonder if (depending on our injury report) whether Kerridge is active for this game and even sees the field?
Possible inactives: House, Donatello Brown, Goodson, Callahan, Michael Clark, Dial, Marwin Evans, Ulrick John, Mays, Odom, Pankey,
Dial, Brooks, Spriggs, Ryan, Perry and Goodson were all limited participants on Friday.
EdsLaces
December 16, 2017 at 12:50 pm
If you have baby McCaffrey on your fantasy team ....start him.
Point-Packer
December 16, 2017 at 12:56 pm
He's going to catch at least eight balls out of the backfield.
dobber
December 16, 2017 at 02:25 pm
He might, but if they tackle well, he won't run up very much yardage. That's a mighty big 'IF'.
Hematite
December 16, 2017 at 02:42 pm
Especially IF you're counting on Dix to tackle at all.
dobber
December 16, 2017 at 03:17 pm
He has his moments...he just needs to have a lot more of them.
I'm expecting to see LBs on McCaffrey tomorrow more often than not, which isn't a good match-up for the Packers.
Ds300916
December 16, 2017 at 01:27 pm
Last year at 4-6, no one thought we could run the table in the regular season and we watched as Rodgers and the Packers went on a run. This year, no one thinks the packers can run the table (and it's half the games!). Looking forward to watching history repeat itself. If that doesnt turn out to be the case at least we get a playoff type of atmosphere in December. Much more than we were expecting 8 weeks ago!
dobber
December 16, 2017 at 02:31 pm
Packers activate ARod, cut Callahan. What does that tell you about Callahan, given that they're letting a QB go when their #1 QB returns on a gimpy shoulder?
I presume Callahan will land on the PS when he clears waivers, though, and they'll cut the other warm-body QB on the PS.
Thegreatreynoldo
December 16, 2017 at 05:11 pm
Perhaps it suggests that GB's FO has been told that AR's chances of re-injury are close to those obtaining pre-injury?
At the same time, I agree that GB probably wants to re-sign Callahan to the PS.
MarkinMadison
December 16, 2017 at 02:57 pm
I've seen the Packers' playoff chances pegged as low as 5%. This is a tough situation. The whole league feels so wide open that you just can't rule any team out right now. There is no dominant team, especially in the NFC. On the other hand this is as tough as any three-game stretch this season. I was ok when the Packers were losing last week. I was resigned to the season being over. Somehow, if Rodgers comes back and losses to a very good Carolina team because he is rusty it is going to feel much worse.
dobber
December 16, 2017 at 03:13 pm
They're on a series of single elimination games with regard to their playoff hopes, and this first one is the most difficult. I honestly give them about a 1 in 6 chance tomorrow, but I'll be hoping...
I doubt a bad outcome tomorrow will be hung on #12. There are plenty of wobbly wheels on this team waiting to fall off.