5 Keys to Packers Playoff Success

The NFL Playoffs are upon us and what a Wild Card weekend it was. As a Packer fan, I enjoyed sitting back and watching other teams play while our players rested and prepared for next week. The bye week also allowed fans to enjoy the exceptionally nice weather that we have been experiencing.

We now know that the Packers will host the New York Giants next Sunday afternoon. I am not going to talk about the Giants and the game in this blog, I will be saving that for another blog later this week. Instead, I am writing about five keys to a successful playoff run for the Packers.

1. Generate a pass rush

The Packers defense must create some sort of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. It doesn't matter who the Packers play, they cannot allow the quarterback to sit back there and have all day to throw the football. The outside linebacker position opposite Clay Mathews needs to be more productive than it has been all season, whether it is Walden, Zombo or Brad Jones. This will provide the team with another weapon on defense and someone for offenses to account for, so Mathews is not double teamed every play.

2. Win the offensive line battle

The Packers will more than likely start the same offensive line that they started the season with: Bulaga, Lang, Wells, Sitton and Clifton. If Clifton struggles at all, we will probably see Marshall Newhouse replace him. The offensive line's play is crucial as they have to give Aaron Rodgers time to throw the football and protect him. They need to win the battle at the line when they run the football. With possible matches against the Giants and the Saints/49ers, this unit will have its hands full. Scott Wells has been the best lineman this season and will need to be on top of his game to help Rodgers find where the blitz is coming from.

3. Turnovers

When the Packers defense creates a turnover, this team excels and will more than likely win the football game. This defense is based on causing a fumble or coming up with an interception. When they do not create a turnover, teams will hang around and then they will end up being in a shootout. Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the offense needs to continue to protect the football. I believe that Rodgers prides himself on not turning the ball over and the remaining defenses will try and force this turnover to keep the Packers off the field.

4. Time of possesion

This is key to any playoff run. In the Packers' only loss this season vs the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chiefs controlled the clock and kept Rodgers and the offense off the field. They did that by running the football and forcing the Packers out of the comfort zone and become a more one dimensional team by running the football. If teams are going to do that, McCarthy will need to adjust and utilize Ryan Grant and James Starks more by either running the ball or with screen passes. The defenses will then come up to the line and it will open the passing game up more. The Packers utilize the pass to set up the run, so it will be interesting to see how teams try to defend our plethora of offensive weapons.

5. Sense of urgency

All season, Coach McCarthy has used the message of "we will be the hunters and not the hunted." The players have stayed the course all year and continued the coach's message in the media and I believe they want to set themselves apart and play in back-to-back Super Bowls. The playoffs are a different season and anything can happen. One mistake is all it takes for teams to gain momemtum and seize an opportunity. If they stick to their gameplan and control the tempo of the game, there is no reason not to have another deep playoff run.

The Packers are one of the most talented teams in the NFL. Last year's playoff run was a lot of fun to watch and I cannot wait to see this year's team make another run at the Vince Lombardi Trophy. These were just some of my thoughts, what do you think they have to do to make a deep playoff run? How far do you think they will go?