Running Game is the key to a win....

[Johnny Rockets]

did anyone expect Cam Newton to pass for over 400 yards when hes had no OTAs and he came from a option style offense? No.

Yes, 6 people did to be exact.

Dwill could very well bust off a long run and get 100+, but I wouldn't bet on him getting back on track against the Packers.

[Johnny Rockets]

Weren't they around 20th in rushing d last year?

Don't know possibly, but rankings like that can be misleading. I do know that they were run against more than almost any other team and passed against less than most teams. Just saying their run defense is not as shabby as some people think and one of the better ones in the league IMO.

[Mr ocho nueve]

Our DB's are the key to a win.

[KaseKlosed]

The Saints gave up a special teams TD, and a Fumble, and did not convert on 4th down a couple of times....if we can get at least 200 yards on the ground and snag a turn over I believe we can win!.....but the all out blitz has to stop and stop now....we should be 1-0 and that game should have been 21-7....

[smiley4284]

Greenbay looks tough this year as well. I believe they can repeat. Not optimistic about pulling off a win this week.

[chef17]

it all depends on what capers gives them. if they focus on stopping the run game, we won't have anyone running for 100 yards or even close. thats what teams did last year and what the cards did last week.

it wasn't because we weren't dedicated to the run. it was because defenses forced us out of it. we were forced into trying to beat them through the air. 'zona showed that we have a passing game that now should be respected or at least garners attention that it didn't previously. if the defense focuses in on shutting down the passing game, that opens up the run game and vice versa.

the packers defense is going to have to become very balanced. the key to winning the game isn't one phase of our offense, but in taking advantage of what the packers give us. it may be that we have to go back and forth between the run game and the passing game pretty evenly.

what will give us a win is forcing the packers to respond to what we are doing rather than letting them dictate to us what we do. if we come out running, they won't be able to use 2 downlinemen and allocate all thier resources to shutting down receiving options. if we commit to throwing the ball then they won't be able to stack the box and blitz every down.

done right, we could win this.

I think this is what's most important. If a defense can dictates what an offense does, it becomes way to easy for the defense to get a stop. I think the Panthers showed last week that they will adjust and take what the defense is giving. Hopefully that continues this week.

[jks85]

So a running back that hasn't had a 100 yard game in almost 2 years is going to rush for over 100 yds against a team that only let only 2 RB's rush for 100 yds against them all of last year? Keep in mind they had more rushing attempts against them than almost every other team.

Anything can happen I guess but I think some of you are severely underestimating the Packers run defense. It's quite nasty.

idk that he will have a 100 yds but this is questionable logic when he only played 6 games last year and that doesn't even get into the play of the guys around him. could just as easily frame it as

[Zaximus]

Keys:

1) Ball control. Getting the running game comes with the territory of reaching this goal. The LONGER we keep the ball in our hands, the less chance Rodgers has to carve up our secondary. We should game plan for Clay Matthews. We need Dwill and Stewart to get something going. We had some good runs last week that got called back because of holding, I expect those "lack of discipline" errors to be corrected this week. Green Bay was middle of the pack in run defense last year, they also lost Cullen Jenkins, so they aren't as stout as they were a year ago (or shouldn't be).

2) Cam ball. Cam needs to get some good runs in. Obviously, make your reads, but, I think he needs to get some good runs against them to make them think twice. Also, don't be discouraged from short 5-10 yard passes to our backs or TEs, as long as it moves the chains.

3) Like someone said, limiting their run game. If they have both aspects of their offense going, we may as well give up. It's going to be hard enough covering all their weapons in the pass game, adding a solid run game will most likely kill us.

I think we have a chance to win, but more importantly, I think we have a great chance of at least keeping this game competitive.

[PantherFanForLife]

Wanna know what they key to a win is? I'll tell you what the key to a win is: score more points than they do before the clock reaches 00.00!

I don't care how.

[CRA]

yep. Carolina needs to run....and they need to make GB run. You don't want GB to have lots of chances.....and if if you D makes a big play (which they would have to do).....it has a bigger impact.

[Kevin Greene]

I think there is little doubt the Pack will score on our defense, and that is not a problem unique to the Panthers either. Point is we may not have the luxury to grind the clock but may need points fast. A couple turnovers by the Pack however would be huge.

[Zaximus]

We could also use a good bit of luck from the football Gods, tipped INTs, fumbles, etc.