Key For Offense Vs. Giants: Get 1st Downs On 2nd Down
The best down for the Packers offense to beat the Giants defense is 2nd down.
By PackerAaron
Mike McCarthy did an excellent job of designing his offensive gameplan last week against the Patriots. He did an excellent job balancing the offense and keeping the offense "on schedule" by using his running game to keep his first time starting quarterback Matt Flynn in manageable third down situations. This made a world of sense against the Patriots, who sport one of the worst third down defenses in the NFL. Third down was the best down to beat the Patriots on. Against the Giants, the best down to beat them is 2nd down.
With Aaron Rodgers back at the helm this Sunday when the Packers face the Giants, McCarthy needs to shift his attack slightly. The emphasis needs to be on picking up 1st downs on 2nd down. The Giants boast the league's best third down defense, a big part of which involves their defensive line's domination when quarterbacks are forced to hold the ball in third and long scenarios.
McCarthy will still need to run the ball, obviously. But this is a week where throwing on first down will make a lot of sense. However the football is advanced, getting Rodgers and company "ahead of the sticks", so to speak, will go a long way in negating the Giants pass rush.
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Comments (27)
December 24, 2010 at 09:27 am
Even more importantly, letting the Giants DL tee off on Rodgers in obvious 3rd down passing situations will be very bad for the already delicate neurons trying to rehabilitate in Aaron's head. The Giants Dl do not pull up at all. They give the QB the hardest clean shot they can. I'm worried for Rodgers.
December 24, 2010 at 10:16 am
Yeah - this game could get ugly.
The Packers seem to have a lot of trouble with teams who can get pressure with 4. In my opinion - getting consistent pressure when only rushing 4 is the key to football. The Giants do this better than anyone. The Packer OL is in for a long day (which means Rodgers will be too).
What's it gonna be this week?
a) a special teams blunder
b) poor use of the clock
c) a missed challenge opportunity
d) a penalty
e) a turnover
f) a key injury
g) a missed field goal
h) a drop of some sort (int/rec)
i) a questionable call (ex. deep on 3rd and inches)
j) a questionable game plan (ex. 70/30 pass-run ratio)
k) failed short yardage play
l) complete inability to run the ball
m) more than one of the above
n) all of the above
I'm going with "j".
McCarthy'll try to outthink his opponent. This will result in him outthinking only himself thus leaving Rodgers in position to absorb more than 4 sacks.
Ouch.
December 24, 2010 at 10:23 am
Spot on.
I think McCarthy should throw the "bomb" on every 1st down...no one would ever expect that!!
December 24, 2010 at 11:35 am
Could you be any more negative??
December 24, 2010 at 12:08 pm
No kidding. It's obviously a miracle this team has managed to win even ONE game.
December 24, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I just think I've observed a large enough sample size to get a pretty good feel for how things will most likely play out.
The giants are a more complete team. They have the ability to both run AND pass (interesting concept right there). They get pressure with their front four, they play the run and the pass equally well, and their special teams don't blow (except for maybe their punter).
For the Packers to win they will have to play mistake free football (something they rarely do against quality teams) OR someone will have to make a game WINNING play (when was the last time a Packer did this?).
Now the giants do have a tendency to turn the ball over. A couple takeaways would definitely help... but you can't RELY on turnovers.
Good NFL teams don't beat themselves. the Packers are a TALENTED team (even with the injuries). They are not a GOOD team.
Just my opinion
December 24, 2010 at 01:53 pm
Tell me how a "complete team" gives up 28 points in a quarter? Or how they lose the rest of their games by at least 10?
December 24, 2010 at 04:18 pm
Touche.
December 24, 2010 at 04:20 pm
Several TO and tourching the NY secondary will be the script.
December 24, 2010 at 04:11 pm
I think we'll kick there ass's back to the City.
December 24, 2010 at 04:12 pm
'Their' Ass.
December 24, 2010 at 10:26 am
remember the first bears game?
the short quick passes from the spread...
remember the first vikings game?
the quick passes and the numerous screens...
i really think we need to work a mix of those 2 game plans to have 2nd and 5 and manageable 3rd downs. then we pound khun and use the giants eagerness to rush the qb to set up the draw game to bjax.
this game will not be a blowout... mcarthy dosent coach that way, although it might benefit the pack to come from behind. i just hope the pack can control the clock and not let the giants do to us what we did to the pats...
i would love to see the "manning face" when the clock hits 0:00...
btw: the giants may have lost a tough one last week, but there is eons more pressure on rodgers and the pack this week... if you dont see that then ur blind...
December 24, 2010 at 10:27 am
In other words, go back to the true West Coast Offense. Yep, that'll do it. Be carefull with the "Big Five" plays. The Giant Dline is too good for that lunacy.
Most important - Protect AR.
December 24, 2010 at 11:08 am
The quick slant should be used multiple times every week, favre perfected it in lambeau and I know Rodgers can too...I mean its the only way to get past our joke of an o-line.
December 24, 2010 at 11:39 am
Amen, Tyler. Where has the Slant gone??
I know last week would have been tough because Flynn may just not have the timing down, but I just don't remember the last time I saw a slant called. It could be one of the best plays available to get into 2nd or 3rd and short. Also, to protect AR, he's gotta be moved around...get out of the pocket a bit...roll him out and if there is nothing there, throw it away to keep from getting hit too often. And, for God's sake, slide, Aaron, slide!!
December 24, 2010 at 11:17 am
Instead of bringing in Crabtree just to block...how about a recieving eligible Tackle?....just sayin.
December 24, 2010 at 11:38 am
Our offense will score points. Our defense needs to rattle Eli early to get him in his classic "deer in headlights" look. If we can do that AND protect the football, we should hopefully be in good shape.
December 24, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I actually feel the opposite about this game.
I see the defense doing a fine job but question whether or not the offense will be able to get anything going. It'll be hard for them to be productive seeing as they have no running game and there will be 7 defenders filling passing lanes (do to the fact that the giants won't need to rush more than their front four against this sieve of an offensive line).
December 24, 2010 at 12:44 pm
The Packers are dead even in rushing yds per attempt with the Saints & the Bears. Would the Saints have no chance against the Giants? At Home?
The running (and short passing)game put us in position to beat the Pats--on the road. It can certainly do the same against the Giants--at Lambeau.
As to not being able to count on turnovers--this is the Giants, I think we CAN count on it.
Enjoy the game.
December 24, 2010 at 01:52 pm
Can't believe all the pessimism.
The Pack played both the Pats and Falcons well, being one Jermichael Finley away from beating both those teams. The Gints are good, but definitely not better not clearly beter than either the Pats or Palcons.
The Gints have have lost to the Colts, Titans, Cowboys and Eagles x2. Their best win is against.....Jacksonville.
Gints are vulnerable to the pass at both LB and secondary. Just like the Pack tries to do, they look to shut down the run, first.
On offense they are without Steve Smith, Archie's other son's favorite reciver. Boss (TE) is BIG, and Manningham/Nicks are very good receivers. I think our defense matches up VERY well IF the LBs tackle, especially BRADSHAW.
GO PACK GO
December 24, 2010 at 02:00 pm
Forgot to mention.
Interested to see what Blackmon and Tollefson look like. Hope not too much!
December 24, 2010 at 02:57 pm
They'll look inactive.
December 24, 2010 at 04:06 pm
I expect a trick play or 2. No Onsides kick to start, but look for a reverse, WR option (Nelson), and maybe a flea-flicker. Many screens and short passes too.
December 24, 2010 at 04:07 pm
Merry Christmas to all!
December 24, 2010 at 05:01 pm
For the Bears to keep up their string of facing 2nd string QBs, Rodgers will have to go down. That's pretty easy to imagine with the feeble Packer o-line going against one of the better d-lines. I picked the Giants in this one.
December 24, 2010 at 08:58 pm
I've got a good feeling about this one. I think Rodgers is ready to step up and get this done...
SO GOOD IN FACT, that I just booked a last-minute plane ticket to Appleton -- to surprise my grandparents and take my California-bred wife to a 25 degree game at Lambeau!
GO PACK GO!
December 25, 2010 at 02:40 am
I deeply envy you! Have fun!