Cardinals Defense Prepares For “Different” Packers

This is a different Packers team that’ll make the trek back to the desert this week.

As good as Rodgers has been throughout his career, he has never beaten an NFC West team in the playoffs with an 0-4 record. That is why they are favored by a touchdown.

Defensively, the Packers once again looked solid, as they have most of the latter part of this season. The intense, physical games on AFC Saturday turned into fiery, exciting battles on NFC Sunday, making each game exciting and unique in its own way. After just 11 total yards in the first quarter of the Wild Card game, the offense clicked into gear. Or a defense runs the risk of Rodgers taking advantage of a free play if a team can’t substitute in time before a penalty flag is thrown.

But he and his teammates probably most remember that drubbing three weeks ago, and they are intent on a better rematch.

Running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks had second-half touchdown runs as the Packers picked up 124 of their 141 rushing yards after halftime.

The Packers scored four touchdowns and a field goal on five consecutive drives to rally from an 11-point deficit to a 32-18 victory.

The Green Bay Packers started off the season red-hot and then faded further and further back into the middle of the NFC and some even wondered if they would make the playoffs.

A key to that strategy will be the play of inside linebackers Kevin Minter and Deone Bucannon. They’re regarded to be the best team in the league. The Cardinals defense could cause a lot of problems for the Packers. On the ground, he rushed for 758 yards and had three touchdowns. And Rodgers, who was sacked nine times against the Cardinals during the first go will surely need all weapons at his disposal. And Rodgers pulled out all his usual tricks, twice going with a quick snap that generated a too-many-men penalty on Washington’s defense.

-Offensive coordinator/line coach Harold Goodwin interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coaching job last Friday.

Yet, “that game doesn’t matter at all”, defensive tackle Calais Campbell said.

MIKE MCCARTHY, HEAD COACH: “Starts with the quarterback”.

“I feel like before the half we didn’t do enough to move the ball and keep the ball out of their hands, and they were able to put up a 17-point quarter”, Cousins said. “Nothing against the guys that I’ve played with, but I never had an All-Pro D-tackle, and he’s an All-Pro guy”.

Washington took an early lead when Rodgers was sacked by rookie Preston Smith in the Green Bay end zone to concede a safety.

“The ball bounced amusing in that ball game”, Arians noted.

-Punter Drew Butler is the weak link on special teams.

Unlike the Redskins, last-place finishers six of the past eight seasons. We’re built to go on the road, play anywhere.