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Okay, so the Packers are Playoff-Bound...

By Dan O'Donnell

...But what will they do once they get there?  It's looking increasingly likely that Green Bay will sew up the fifth seed in the NFC Playoffs and earn a trip to either Arizona or Philadelphia in the opening round.

 

Ryan Grant. | Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 

The Eagles earned their fourth straight win with a shootout victory over the Giants on Sunday and proved that they have big play capability all over the field.  DeSean Jackson tied an NFL record with his eighth touchdown of 50 or more yards, and fellow receivers Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant, along with tight end Brent Celek, form one of the most dangerous passing units in the NFL. 

 

This could pose major problems for the Packers, since Tramon Williams has struggled filling in for the injured Al Harris and would likely require safety help over the top on every passing play to contain either Maclin or Avant.  Charles Woodson is having by far the best season of his career and is the likely frontrunner for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but even he looked mortal against the Bears' Devin Aromashodu on Sunday.

 

Offensively, Green Bay seems to have found its rhythm recently--especially since the long-dormant running game finally stepped up in Chicago--but the much-maligned offensive line will need to keep powerful Eagles ends Trent Cole, Juqua Parker, and Darren Howard (who have a combined 21.5 sacks this season) away from Aaron Rodgers.

 

If they can, and Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are open, Rodgers should have a field day against an Eagles pass defense that surrenders more than 218 passing yards and 21 points per game.

 

That said, Philly is 4-2 at home this season and always tough to beat at Lincoln Financial Field.    

 

Arizona, meanwhile, has a pedestrian 3-3 home record that includes an embarrassing loss to the hapless Carolina Panthers in Week 8.  Since then, though, the Cards have caught fire, winning four of their last five and humbling the mighty Minnesota Vikings last week.

 

No one needs to tell the Packers how good Arizona's receiving corps is; they'll get a firsthand look at Larry Fitzgerald and co. (for at least a quarter or so) in the final  week of the regular season.  It will be interesting to see how Mike McCarthy gameplans for the same opponent two weeks in a row if in fact the Packers do draw the Cardinals in the opening round.

 

Tuesday, Dec 15 at 6:30 PM Burnt toast wrote ...

Tramon Williams is a weak spot but on the bright side he's got three games he can use to get better. It's possible isn't it? Even Jarrett Bush might get better. Huh?

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