Joe's Super Bowl XLV Preview: Green Bay Packers

When the Green Bay Packers started the season as everyone and their mother’s pick to be in the Super Bowl, it had that “Kiss of Death” feel to it. After injuries at key positions seemingly every week, there was no possible way the Pack could stay on the long road to Dallas… could they? Playing for their postseason lives since week 16 of the regular season, the Packers notched the wins and are now streaking towards the Lombardi Trophy. Let’s delve into the Green Bay roster.

As there typically is with any high-powered offense, the Packers have a great quarterback at the helm in Aaron Rodgers. In his third year starting under center, Rodgers has fulfilled any and all expectations placed upon him. With 3922 yards passing and 28 touchdowns, Rodgers put himself in the “best quarterback” discussion as best he could without winning a title. His mechanics are sound and rarely break down. He learned his improvisational skills under Brett Favre, arguably one of the best. He’s accurate in and out of the pocket. He’s a constant threat to scramble, whether it's to find the open receiver or to gain a first down. There aren’t obvious flaws in his game, so game-planning against him is a struggle. Do you send blitzes and put him off his game, risking the big play? Or do you sit back in coverage and let him have the underneath throws? Pick your poison carefully Pittsburgh. Knocking Rodgers out of a game (which has happened) is the only way to really control his production.

Protecting Rodgers is a still-improving offensive line with the underrated Scott Wells at center. Even more underappreciated is right guard Josh Sitton, who is quietly becoming one of the best guards in the NFC. Just wait until he’s a free agent or gets a contract extension. You’ll see what I mean. Rookie Bryan Bulaga flanks Sitton on the right side. Bulaga has had his missteps this season, drawing penalties and missing key blocks on occasion. He’s obviously talented and will grow into his role, but for now he can be a liability in protection. Daryn Colledge is solid at left guard, but he gets helped out because left tackle Chad Clifton is still so good. He may not be the same player he was three or four years ago, but he gets low and makes the most of his leverage.

Even after losing Pro Bowl running back Ryan Grant to IR during the regular season, the Packers never lost their commitment to the running game. Brandon Jackson has been serviceable if nothing else and has allowed the Packers to keep their balance on offense. He won’t break many big runs, but he can keep the chains going with 4-6 yard carries. In short yardage and goal line situations, the Packers love to bring in fullback John Kuhn, who is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Kuhn bowls over defenders routinely and is a threat to catch passes out of the backfield off play-action fakes. After losing young tight end Jermichael Finley earlier in the year, Andrew Quarless has stepped in as the primary tight end. Green Bay has skewed away from using tight ends routinely, but Quarless and second-stronger Tom Crabtree could see action if the Packers want to establish any physicality in the ground game.

What perhaps doesn’t get enough coverage is the talent and depth of the Packer wide receivers. I would put them up against any group in the league one through five. Greg Jennings has exploded in this postseason, leading all WR’s in yardage. During the year he had 21 plays of 20 yards or more, so you know he can get down the field in a hurry. His chemistry with Rodgers will pay dividends in the years to come. Veteran Donald Driver is certainly past his prime, but don’t overlook his ability to come up with big plays when the Packers need them most. Jordy Nelson is Green Bay’s version of Wes Welker, able to find his way into the middle of the defense and get yards after the catch. He just gets open. Last but not least is James Jones, who was second on the team in receptions. Aaron Rodgers has a multitude of weapons at his disposal and any of them can get 70-80 yards on a Sunday.

Kicker Mason Crosby has been dependable all year long in any conditions. Rookie punter Tom Masthay won the job in the preseason and has since come on to perform extraordinarily well. He’s got a strong leg and can reset field position with any kick. Nickel corner Sam Shields still gets work as the kick returner, though he hasn’t been as explosive as the Packers envisioned. Tramon Williams is a decent punt returner, but he hasn’t been superb either. Both returners are stop-gaps until the Packers find someone better suited for the role in the offseason.

Green Bay’s defensive front starts with B.J. Raji. The second year Pro Bowler is one of the best defensive tackles in the league and has really started to heat up in the past month or so. He’s dominant in the middle and demands double-teams on nearly every snap. In spite of his massive frame, Raji is athletic and quick. Don’t be shocked if you see him on top of Roethlisberger once or twice. Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins flank Raji, making up what is arguably the best front three in the NFLs. Pickett is a full-on run-stuffer and Jenkins racked up seven sacks on the year. But wait, it gets better.

The name on everyone’s excited lips this season was Clay Matthews. Matthews burst onto the scene this year with six sacks in the first two games. With 13.5 sacks on the year, the Steelers are going to have their hands full. Matthews gets off the ball quick and doesn’t waste time penetrating the protection. Dom Capers loves to send Matthews from different directions, so keep an eye on where and how he lines up. A.J. Hawk quietly led the team in tackles from the left inside linebacker spot, and he’s deceptively good in pass coverage with 3 picks and 10 deflected passes to his credit. Right behind him in tackles is Desmond Bishop, who also gets sent on the blitz enough to cause problems. Erik Walden came on late in the year with a few decent games (including a three-sacker against the Bears), but he could be slowed by a lingering ankle injury.

Known for their man-to-man coverages, the Packer secondary is dynamic, talented and has few weaknesses. Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams form the best corner tandem in the NFL (note how I’m saying that a lot about this team), but when you add nickel corner Sam Shields into the mix, it’s hard to pass effectively on the Packers. Woodson is one of their best tacklers and he’s used all over the field in a variety of ways. They send him on the blitz; they like to bring him in the box as a safety or they can have him man-up on your best receiver. Williams is getting plenty of well-deserved publicity this postseason for his timely interceptions and coverage skills. Shields was supposed to be a return man for the Packers, but they ended up getting a fantastic third DB instead. Behind the corners are safeties Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah. Collins makes big hits and big plays but isn’t completely reliable in pass defense. Peprah’s even worse. If there’s a spot to attack the Green Bay defense, it’s the safety position.

The offensive-oriented Mike McCarthy also calls all the plays for Rodgers and the offense. After two weeks to prepare, I’m certain he’ll have some extra wrinkles in his gameplan, but he won’t stray too fat from his balanced attack. D-coordinator Dom Capers loves to send corners on blitzes and uses a lot of smaller fronts to get more speed on the field, but he may need to switch things up against the Steelers’ heavy run packages.

Strengths: Rodgers, man-to-man pass defense, receivers running after the catch, balance on offense,

Weaknesses: Running game, special teams, pass protection still inconsistent at times.

If you missed it, here’s my Pittsburgh Steelers preview! Also, be on the look-out tomorrow for my break down of the Super Bowl match-ups and get my prediction!