Clay Matthews
The Green Bay Packers divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys is just two days away. The two teams will kick off at noon on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
We’re still not sure just how mobile Aaron Rodgers is going to be, playing on a strained left calf.
Rodgers returned to practice on Thursday, taking part in the team portion of practice. He took about 50 to 60% of the reps and teammates said he really didn’t do much in terms of running around outside the pocket.
The Packers may have to keep Rodgers in the pocket and working out of the shotgun so he doesn’t have to drop back to throw the football. It’s pretty clear that Rodgers won’t be 100% for the game, but just how mobile he can be will be important.
The Cowboys aren’t a blitzing team by nature, but Rodgers inability to move around could lend to the Cowboys trying to put some extra pressure on him. During the regular season, when healthy, Rodgers has picked teams apart when they tried to blitz him. So the Cowboys will have to pick their poison.
The Packers have won eight straight home games this season and Rodgers has been a big part of that streak. If he can avoid further injury and stay in the game throughout, the Packers have a decent chance of making it nine-in-a-row.
The Packers defense will have to play a big part, as well as special teams. Their run defense has taken a big turn for the better in the second half of the season. That group will have to be ready to stop the Cowboys ground attack, led by DeMarco Murray.
AUDIO: Clay Matthews said Murray will make some plays, but…. :15
AUDIO: Clay Matthews said they need to set the tone right away :16
With Rodgers status in the air, the Packers could certainly use another big day from Eddie Lacy. He’s healthy and ready to go and it’ll be interesting to see if the Cowboys defense can keep him in check.
The Cowboys don’t have a lot of big names on the defensive side of the ball. But what they do have is defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. He has the Dallas defense playing hard, despite marginal talent.
Following is my thoughts on Sunday’s game.