The Arizona Cardinals are set to host the Green Bay Packers in the NFL divisional playoffs this week. What five keys are there to defeat the Packers and advance to the NFC Championship game?
1. Carson Palmer Must Take Care of the Football
Everything starts with taking care of the football against a Green Bay defense that is more than capable of coming through with big plays. Carson Palmer is a legitimate MVP candidate and has to take care of the football this evening to lead his team to a victory. He did a solid job of that during their 38-8 regular season win over the Packers and is more than capable of doing so again tonight.
2. Estabish the Ground Game Early and Often with David Johnson
Green Bay's defense has done well against the run throughout the majority of the 2015 season. The Cardinals have the personnel to put up a big game on the ground. They have to come out looking to establish the ground game early on in the game and get rookie running back David Johnson going immediately.
3. Offensive Line Must Keep the Green Bay Pass Rush Away
There is no question that the Packers' defense can put a mean pass rush on when they are playing at full strength. Arizona cannot allow them to get to Palmer and the offensive line must stay solid. Dom Capers will be sending pressure early and often throughout the game and it'll be interesting to see how many sacks they end up recording.
4. Contain Eddie Lacy and Force Aaron Rodgers to Win Alone
Eddie Lacy has been struggling all season long for the Packers and it has become incredibly frustrating for them. He is a huge part of their offense and the Cardinals have to contain him. If they can do that an force Aaron Rodgers to win by himself, there is a very good chance that the Green Bay offense will revert back to looking poor to say the least.
5. Defense Must Be a Turnover Making Machine Once Again
All season long the Arizona defense has been one of the best in the NFL at forcing turnovers. That can't change this week against a Green Bay team that turned the football over four times in their regular season matchup with the Cardinals. Arizona has to be a turnover making machine once again this evening in order to come through with the same kind of dominant performance that they had in Week 16.
Who do you think will win this game and what are your final score predictions? Let us know in the comment box below!
