When the Green Bay Packers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 33-7 last Sunday, most spectators knew the score was more indicative of Packers head coach Mike McCarthy having a different philosophy than Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt. 

By kickoff, both teams had wrapped up their spots in the playoffs and, regardless of the Eagles/Cowboys game, were on a crash course to meet again in the first round of the playoffs.

McCarthy chose to play the game as usual and kept his team in rhythm by playing his starters the majority of the game, while Whisenhunt chose to rest his starters and keep them fresh for the upcoming playoff match up. 

First, let’s break down both philosophies to try and understand why both coaches decided to do:

For Whisenhunt, pitting a 38-year-old quarterback against one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFC from the blind side in rookie Clay Matthews, did not seem like the best fit.  Thus, Kurt Warner ended up playing just two series.  Outside of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals used backups for the majority of the game.

With such a veteran team, there was little to gain by playing their starters at home against a team they were going to see again next week.  They had won three of their last five games, with the last two coming against the worst teams in the league in the Lions and Rams, so it’s not as if another week of rest was going to kill them. 

Coming into the playoffs healthy is important after all, and Whisenhunt seemed to think resting his players was the right thing to do.

In McCarthy’s case, he was dealing with one of the hottest win streaks in the NFL, not to mention one of the youngest teams in the league.  Winners of six of seven heading into the game, McCarthy thought it wise to keep the Pack rolling by playing them the majority of the game to get them ready for the playoffs.

“We wanted to come out here to win the game, keep our razor sharp and gain some momentum going into the playoffs,” McCarthy said. “It didn’t matter who we were playing. I understand Arizona had a different agenda…we like the way we played the last eight weeks and it was very important for us to maximize this opportunity.”

Both strategies have their pros and cons, but there is no clear-cut way to deal with Week 17 when your team has clinched a playoff spot and can not move up or down. 

Apparently everyone understands this except Whisenhunt, who chastised McCarthy and the Packers for running up the score and focusing on stats instead of preparing the team for the playoff game.

“They had their plan,” Whisenhunt said. “I guess they felt good about what they were doing.”

Yes, coach Whisenhunt.  The Packers sure did feel good about what they were doing by keeping the offense clicking, the defense fresh, and giving the special teams unit repetitions that they have needed the whole year.

In the NFL, there are two reasons for teams to play for victories:

1) To move up in the standings and better their chances of making the postseason.

2) To gain momentum and have a better overall feeling of where your team stands.

For 16 weeks, the Packers and Cardinals used both as reasons they played to win.  The first is obvious, as every team’s goal is to make the playoffs by season’s end.  The second is not so clear cut because teams usually don’t think about the momentum they have as the season goes along. 

But when it comes to the playoffs, peaking at the right time can mean the difference between a first round bye (San Diego Chargers) and missing the playoffs altogether (Denver Broncos).

Whisenhunt also called out McCarthy for keeping his franchise quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, in the game too long, in what he called “a meaningless game.”

“It’s something you would feel sick about had (Fitzgerald) gotten injured at the end, but I have no doubt in my mind that’s what Green Bay was trying to do with Aaron Rodgers (on Sunday) as far as the passing statistics, trying to get those things,” Whisenhunt said. “That’s part of it.”

So let me get this straight, coach.  Aaron Rodgers playing three quarters in a game in which the Packers needed to claim the No. 5 seed was all about stats, but your All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald catching a touchdown with just under three minutes left in a 33-point rout was something else?

Please.

In fact, your other Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin seemed to be playing just about every snap into the third quarter before he left with an ankle injury.  With a knee injury to accompany the ankle, Boldin’s status is now in doubt for the Wild Card.  Same for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who injured his left knee tackling Jermichael Finley.

Ryan Pickett, Brandon Chillar, and special teams ace Derrick Martin were all inactive for the game Sunday, despite probably being able to play had it been a playoff game.  If McCarthy was looking to run up the score, wouldn’t he have played his best run-stopper, his “X-factor” on defense, and best special teamer?

Anyone who believes the Packers were trying to run up the score against the Cardinals is just foolish.  Whisenhunt also complained about McCarthy game planning for the teams’ match-up in Week 3 of the Preseason. 

The Packers led that game 38-10 at the half, in what is known around the league as the most important exhibition game for starters.  Don’t forget about the youth of the Packers and McCarthy trying to get his young (and talented) players more reps before the actual season began.

A win is a win and McCarthy understands that.  Instead of rolling into the playoffs having not played a game in two weeks, he kept his team focused and on the same schedule that won them seven of the last eight games. 

Forget about McCarthy showing his hand and tendencies by playing his starters.  If Whisenhunt and the Cardinals don’t have enough film on the Packers already, they certainly don’t stand a chance when they clash this Saturday.

If the Cardinals plan to use McCarthy’s alleged unsportsmanlike game calling last week as fuel for their first round matchup, so be it. 

After Whisenhunt’s comments, the Packers just got theirs.

With a win over the Seahawks in Week 16, the Packers clinched a playoff spot after the New York Giants fell to the Carolina Panthers.  The Vikings have already clinched the NFC North due to the head-to-head tiebreaker they hold with the Packers, but the fifth seed the Packers currently hold is still up for grabs, and they do not know who they will play in the first round yet.  Here’s a complete look at how things shape up for the Packers heading into the final week of the season.

NY Giants @ Minnesota, 12 p.m.

Green Bay @ Arizona, 3:15 p.m.

Philadelphia @ Dallas, 3:15 p.m.

The first game on the schedule that matters to the Packers is one that could determine everything, even before the Packers take the field.  Simply put: If the Vikings defeat the Giants, the Packers will play the Cardinals in Arizona in the first round of the playoffs.

Scenario 1: Vikings, Eagles, Packers Win:
Scenario 2: Vikings, Eagles, Cardinals Win:

1. New Orleans
2. Philadelphia (12-4)
3. Minnesota (12-4)
4. Arizona (11-5/10-6)
5. Green Bay (11-5 or 10-6)
6. Dallas (10-6)

Dallas losing ensures the Packers the fifth seed (head-to-head win) while the Vikings win guarantees them the third seed, leaving the Cardinals with the No. 4 seed.

Scenario 3: Vikings, Cowboys, Packers Win:

1. New Orleans
2. Minnesota (12-4)
3. Dallas (11-5)
4. Arizona (10-6)
5. Green Bay (11-5)
6. Philadelphia (11-5)

A Cowboys win gives the Vikings the No. 2 seed while the Packers beating the Cardinals gives Dallas a better record and the No. 3 seed.

Scenario 4: Vikings, Cowboys, Cardinals Win:

1. New Orleans
2. Minnesota (12-4)
3. Arizona (11-5)
4. Dallas (11-5)
5. Philadelphia (11-5)
6. Green Bay (10-6)

If the Cardinals win, they would move ahead of the Cowboys on a tie-breaker but the Packers would also drop to the No. 6 seed, thus linking the Cardinals with the Packers again if the Vikings win.

If the Giants upset the Vikings in the noon game, four different scenarios can occur, which include the Packers being matched up with either the Cardinals, Vikings, or the Cowboys.

Scenario 5: Giants, Eagles, Packers Win:

1. New Orleans
2. Philadelphia (12-4)
3. Minnesota (11-5)
4. Arizona (10-6)
5. Green Bay (11-5)
6. Dallas (10-6)

Pretty straightforward as records are all in place and no tie-breakers are used.  The one that doesn’t hurt your head to look at.

Scenario 6: Giants, Eagles, Cardinals Win:

1. New Orleans
2. Philadelphia (12-4)
3. Arizona (11-5)
4. Minnesota (11-5)
5. Green Bay (10-6)
6. Dallas (10-6)

The only way the Packers can get another shot at Favre is by the Cardinals jumping the Vikings based on their head-to-head victory. Again, the Packers have the tie-breaker with the Cowboys for the same reason.

Scenario 7: Giants, Cowboys, Packers Win:

1. New Orleans
2. Dallas (11-5)
3. Minnesota (11-5)
4. Arizona (10-6)
5. Green Bay (11-5)
6. Philadelphia (11-5)

The only way the Cowboys can receive a first-round bye, and the Packers hold the tie-breaker with the Eagles due to record against common opponent.

Scenario 8: Giants, Cowboys, Cardinals Win:

1. New Orleans
2. Arizona (11-5)
3. Dallas (11-5)
4. Minnesota (11-5)
5. Philadelphia (11-5)
6. Green Bay (10-6)

Don’t ask…that’s just what it is.

If he was not a front-runner before Monday night’s game against the Ravens, Clay Matthews seems to have officially thrown his hat into the ring for defensive rookie of the year.  He finished the game with a career-high six tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, a tackle for a loss, and a pass defended as the Packers defense held the Ravens to just 185 total yards.

Many questioned Ted Thompson when he traded three Day One draft picks in order to get back in the first round to select Matthews, but he has been well worth the cost of the draft picks.  Thompson passed on the likes of running back Beanie Wells and outside linebackers Everette Brown and Clint Sintim to arrive at Matthews.

The selection seemed like a head-scratcher at the time due to the higher-ranked players on the board at the time, but even Thompson admitted that had B.J. Raji not been available when the Packers picked ninth, Matthews was a possibility.

As is the case with most Ted Thompson moves, we have gone from scratching our heads to clapping our hands and screaming our lungs out as we watch Matthews fly all over the football field.

A hamstring injury in training camp  that seemed to last forever put Matthews behind the eight ball in terms of learning the new 3-4 defensive scheme under Dom Capers.  He appeared in just one preseason game and took some time to get his conditioning back, registering just four tackles in his first three games (with a sack).

Matthews’ first glimpse of greatness came on Monday Night Football against the Vikings in which Matthews, a reserve at the time, pursued towards running back Adrian Peterson, stripped him of the ball, and returned it 42 yards for a score.  It was that kind of play-making ability that has set Matthews off over the last ten weeks.

While his seven sacks are a great measure to show his ability to get to the quarterback, those numbers almost don’t do him justice.  Coming off the right end, Matthews has a non-stop motor off the edge and uses his pure athleticism to wreak havoc in the pocket.

Listed at 250 pounds, the slightly undersized Matthews has made up for his lack of size in other areas.  His pass coverage has been excellent for the majority of the year and he has registered six pass break-ups, which ranks him second behind Johnny Jolly for a non-defensive back.

Even past the stats, Matthews has meant so much for a defense that had a big question mark next to them entering the season.  With a new defense being implemented and veterans switching positions and roles, many wondered if a team that had been set up for a 4-3 defense could make the switch to a 3-4 in the matter of one off-season.

A big reason why they were able to has been the presence of Matthews.  Had it not been for the USC standout, the Packers would probably be starting Brady Poppinga at outside linebacker, a thought that would make most Packers fans sick.

When Aaron Kampman and Al Harris both went down with season-ending knee injuries in the span of two quarters, many wrote off the Packers.  Two veterans both playing at a high level for a defense with questionable depth was basically a death sentence.  The post-injury assignments included Matthews taking over Kampman’s role at getting to the quarterback.  In the two games since Kampman has been gone, Matthews has racked up three sacks and provided constant pressure every time he rushes.

Matthews’ former teammate Brian Cushing has put together a fantastic year for the Texans and is also a leading candidate for the DROY award.  However, the Texans rank 16th in total defense and 22nd against the run, and Cushing also has the pleasure of playing behind Mario Williams and alongside Demeco Ryans.

There is much more freedom in the 4-3 defense that Houston runs for Cushing to make plays, while Matthews’ best plays for the Packers are when Nick Collins intercepts a pass because a certain outside linebacker was breathing down the quarterback’s neck.  Other than the middle linebackers, stats are more spread out in the team-oriented 3-4 defense, something Matthews should not be penalized for.  Even so, stats are not everything and one can not look over the importance Matthews has played in the Packers defense this season.

Matthews has been one of the most productive players on the first-ranked defense in the league.  He is a Pro Bowler in the making and, as long as he is in the 3-4, should have a very productive career.  While his ticket to Hawaii might be punched one day, he will have to settle for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2009.

The Packers increased their 2009 playoff chances in a big way by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 27-14 last night.  In Green Bay’s second true test from the AFC, their top-ranked defense stifled Ray Rice and Joe Flacco while Aaron Rodgers passed for 263 yards and three touchdowns.  The win pushed the Packers to 8-4 and they currently own the sixth seed in the NFC.

While the Falcons stumbled in a big game against the Eagles, the Giants, in a do-or-die situation, defeated the division leading Cowboys at home and kept their playoff hopes alive.

The division leaders outside of the NFC East continue to gain ground on second place, with the Saints clinching the South last weekend.  In addition, the Vikings’ magic number is two over the Packers and the Cardinals hold a three game lead over the 49ers with four games to play.

Due to a Week 9 victory in Philadelphia, the Cowboys hold a tie-breaker over the Eagles for the lead in the NFC East at 8-4, with the Giants sitting just one game out at 7-5.  The Falcons are 6-6 but reeling fast so, for now, they will not be in the playoff discussion.

So the question for Packers fans is who to cheer for the rest of the way?

The Philadelphia Eagles have put together a fantastic season and have themselves in great position to take a wild-card spot this year.  Their 8-4 record has them tied for first place but more important is their 7-2 conference record, which gives them the first tie-breaker advantage after head-to-head match-ups.  The Eagles have away games at the Giants and Cowboys left on the schedule, with home meetings with the 49ers and Broncos sandwiched in between.

If the Eagles can defeat the Giants next week and the Packers take care of business in Chicago, the Giants would be two games out of the last Wildcard spot with three games to go; New York would have a lackluster 5-4 conference record, meaning their shot at the playoffs would be all but over. 

Just as it was for the Falcons last week, the Packers would love to see borderline teams lose and fall out of the playoff race.  Once this happens, the Packers can focus on moving into the fifth spot instead of wondering if they will get in.

Another reason for cheering on the Eagles is the hope that they can catch the Cowboys in the NFC East and move Dallas into a wild-card spot. The Packers’ head-to-head victory against the Cowboys in Week 10 puts them ahead of the Cowboys in any situation, assuming their records are the same.  Not only would this help the Packers make the playoffs, but they would move up to the five seed, giving them a slight chance of avoiding the Saints at home.

So now that we know what we want to happen, what is likely to happen?

Looking at the Packers remaining schedule, it seems they could start Matt Flynn and at least go 2-2.  While the rivalry between the Bears and Packers allows for anything to happen on any given Sunday, the two teams are headed in opposite directions and it should be a win for Green Bay. 

Seattle is not a pushover but their 1-5 record outside of Seattle suggests that a snowy Lambeau Field will be rough going for Jim Mora and company.  Even the Steelers are looking very beatable right now, especially if Troy Polomalu is still out when the two teams meet in Week 15.

One team the Packers are sure to watch is the Cardinals, who sit at 8-4 and have a very favorable schedule remaining.  While the NFC West crown is all but theirs, beating out the NFC East Division Champ would ensure the third spot in the playoffs and a guarantee of  missing the Saints in the Divisional Round.  After playing the 49ers this week they play back-to-back games against the Lions and Rams, meaning 11 wins would almost be a given if they can take down San Francisco.

With three NFC East inter-division games still to be played, 11 wins should wrap up the third seed for the Cardinals, meaning their Week 17 game against the Packers would have no meaning.  With the Eagles playing the Cowboys and the Cardinals playing the Packers in Week 17, there’s a chance those same matchups occur that next week in the first round of the playoffs.

The Giants could make things very interesting if they beat the Eagles next Sunday night.  With the Redskins and Panthers still left on the schedule, they have the potential to get to 10 wins in the next three weeks.  They then play the Vikings in Week 17 who would be playing for nothing and would more than likely rest their starters.  However, the Giants’ aforementioned conference record of 5-3 means a loss to the Eagles would basically take them out of  the playoff equation.

The Cowboys have the toughest schedule remaining of any team in the NFC with home matchups against the Chargers and Eagles and a trip to New Orleans.  Even a road game against Washington looks a little more difficult than it did a month ago.  Because the Giants have defeated the Cowboys twice, there is an outside chance they can leapfrog Dallas for the last spot.

Packers fans should hope the Cardinals win their next three games while the NFC East opponents beat up on each other the rest of the way.  Where it stands right now, it looks like ten wins should get the Packers into the playoffs.  Looking at the schedule, that is a very reasonable goal and one that could be obtained before the last week of the season.

Outside of a career ending injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the first and most obvious need for the Packers in 2010 is finding a left tackle to take over for current starter Chad Clifton.  Despite showing improvements of late, the offensive line as a whole has been one of the worst in the league this season and changes are inevitable in 2010.    However, just because the Packers need to address the offensive line does not mean it is a foregone conclusion that they will select a left tackle in the first round next year.

Rather, the Packers would be wise to snatch up Clemson running back C.J. Spiller if he is on the board when the Packers are on the clock.  Before your head explodes for an offensive lineman not being at the top of the list, let’s take a look at arguably the best running back in the nation.

Spiller has been a monster this season and his pre-Music City Bowl stats include 1145 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns.  He has also added 33 receptions for 445 yards and four touchdowns through the air for the Tigers and is having a stellar all-around season.  Spiller will play his bowl game in Tennessee, the home of the NFL’s leading rusher Chris Johnson.  Many have compared Spiller’s running style to that of Johnson’s and their measurements are the same within five pounds of each other.

The Packers have lacked a true game-breaker in the run game for quite some time and Spiller would fit the bill perfectly.  Spiller’s ability to cut back and break into the second level make him a perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme, something Ryan Grant has lacked since his breakout campaign two seasons ago.  Spiller would allow the Packers to use the screen game more efficiently and add a potential, “touchdown every time he touches the ball” running back to the offense.

The other caveat with Spiller is his ability as a kick and punt returner.  Spiller has returned an NCAA-record eight kicks for touchdowns and is a threat to go to the house every time he goes back for a kick.  If Spiller does not take over starting running back duties right away, he will return kicks and punts for a Packers special teams unit that ranks 21st in average kick returns and 24th in punt returns.

The NFL is quickly becoming a two-running back system and the fact is that Grant is not going to last long if he has no one behind him.  Brandon Jackson has proved to be a bust outside of his improved blitz pick-up on third down and DeShawn Wynn is nothing more than a nice practice squad player. Spiller would provide the Packers with a change-of-pace running back, similar to what Felix Jones is in Dallas with Marion Barber.

Entering Week Thirteen, the Packers were slotted to pick 22nd in the first round.  Obviously that number can and probably will change slightly between now and April, but that range is where most experts have Spiller going.  If he has a big bowl game and runs a sub-4.30 forty at the Combine his stock will surely rise into the top 15, but we have now seen that Ted Thompson is not afraid to depart with his later draft picks if it means getting someone he really likes.

In recent years, Thompson has shown a pattern of going with the best player available in round one of the draft, and then drafting for need in round two.  The talent in the first round makes it hard to pass on a player you think could be truly special.  Unless you are set at the position with a young, elite-level talent (Chris Johnson, Joe Thomas, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Willis), drafting the best player available is not a waste of a pick.

At some point early on in the draft, the offensive line will need to be addressed.  Thompson is (hopefully) starting to see that a line built on mid-round, little known, athletic college linemen is not going to get the job done.  With one of the deepest draft classes this decade, Thompson will be able to find good depth in round two if he does not pull the trigger on a tackle in the first round.

The truth is the Packers are set at multiple positions on the field for quite some time and find themselves with a better future than the majority of teams.  That means taking risks in the first round on a potential stud running back will not set them back five years if it does not work.  Good teams like the Packers put themselves in those positive situations to be able to do that, so taking a flier on Spiller is a risk worth taking.

Running back might not be the Packers’ biggest need next season, but if a future Pro Bowler is on the board when the Packers pick, need might go right out the window.

No one knows what head coach Mike McCarthy will say at his Thanksgiving Day dinner table, but you can bet that Charles Woodson and Donald Driver will be on his short list.  The two veterans feasted on the young Detroit Lions Thursday as the Packers won their third straight game, 34-12 at Ford Field.

It was the same story for the Packers once again, who used Driver and Woodson on both ends of the field to lead their team to victory.

For Woodson, the task of shutting down Calvin Johnson was not going to be an easy one and looked to be a problem after Johnson scored from one yard out on a back shoulder route from quarterback Matthew Stafford.  However, Johnson caught just one other pass for nine yards, finishing the game as a non-factor on offense.

Shutting down Johnson did not show in the box score for Woodson, but what did show up were Woodson’s seven tackles, two interceptions, forced fumble, fumble recovery, sack, and touchdown.  It was a great performance for the 12-year veteran who now finds his name in serious contention for Defensive Player of the Year.

What made the performance even more impressive was the fact that Woodson was playing without his cornerback counterpart Al Harris, who was lost to a torn ACL the week before against San Francisco.  The thought was that the Lions would stay away from Woodson and pick on Tramon Williams on the other side, but Johnson was targeted 12 times on offense and Woodson limited him to just the two catches.

On the season, Woodson has recorded 54 tackles, ranked third on the team, forced a team-high four fumbles and six interceptions, and also has two touchdowns to his name.  A trip to Canton might be in the future for the former Heisman Trophy winner, but a DPOY trophy would sure help the resume.

Someone who might not make it to Canton but is a shoo-in for the Packers Hall of Fame is Donald Driver, who made the most of his Thanksgiving with a seven-catch, 142 yard performance that included a touchdown catch as well.  Awarded the Golden Gobbler by Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, the 11-year veteran continued his outstanding season that has him leading the seventh-ranked passing offense in all major receiving categories.

It was Greg Jennings who received a major payday in the offseason and while some of Driver’s success can be attributed to the double teams and attention other teams pay to Jennings, Driver has made things happen on his own and has created his own success.

Known as one of the toughest players in the league, Driver ranks sixth in the NFC in receiving yards at 34 years old.  The five players in front of Driver average 24.6 years in age, and as Driver put it, “I may be old, but I play young”.

The win put the Packers at 7-4 and on top of the NFC Wildcard, but the road does not get any easier from here on out.  The last five games for the Packers include matchups against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Arizona with an NFC North rivalry game against Chicago in the Windy City.

General Manager Ted Thompson might live and die with building through the draft and having young players grow during the year to contribute, but this year has been the story of Woodson and Driver, two veterans doing everything they can to ensure the Packers play in January.

The Packers have to be feeling good about winning their last two games against the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, but they received equally bad news when it was revealed that starters Aaron Kampman and Al Harris would miss the rest of the season with torn ACL’s.

Not that injuries ever come at a good time, but the news came at a terrible time for a Packers defense that, after a poor showing against Minnesota and Tampa Bay, had strung together two solid performances before Harris and Kampman went down.

Both players were injured on seemingly freak accidents where neither were involved in the play; in Harris’s case, it happened 30 yards away from the play.

It was a “here we go again” moment for the Packers defense, who up to this point had avoided major injury on defense. Last season, Cullen Jenkins, Nick Barnett, Atari Bigby, and Harris all missed time with injuries, leading to a 22nd-ranked defense.

In a season where the Packers continued to become more comfortable as each game passed in the new 3-4 defense, new personnel will have to step on the field and become acclimated even faster.

The two players most affected by the injuries are certainly cornerback Tramon Williams and outside linebacker Brad Jones.

Williams, the fourth year nickelback from Louisiana Tech, was to be the heir to Al Harris or Charles Woodson once either of them decided to hang up the cleats, but his number has been called earlier than expected and he should to be up to task.

More than the cornerback duo and safety combo of Nick Collins and Bigby, Green Bay’s secondary was considered one of the best in the league because teams faced three starting cornerbacks when they went with three wideouts. Williams was the reason why.

At 27, Williams is in the prime of his career and is arguably the Packers’ best bump n’ run cornerback.

The drop-off from Harris to Williams will not hurt the Packers much, but the real problem is the lack of depth the Packers now have in the nickel and dime spots. With Williams moving up to the starting role, either Jarrett Bush or Brandon Underwood will take over the third cornerback role.

Both are liabilities, but have shown flashes of being able to get the job done. Brandon Chillar coming back in a few weeks will help the cause and newly signed Josh Bell could compete as well.

At the outside linebacker spot, rookie Brad Jones will likely step in for Kampman.

Jones, a seventh round selection out of Colorado, started against the Cowboys as Kampman was unable to go with a concussion. He played well and finished the game with seven tackles; he also racked up two tackles after subbing for Kampman against San Francisco.

It is still a step down from Kampman, but Jones did a fine job getting after the quarterback and his speed will help on pass defense.

The Packers’ first test will come tomorrow against the Lions, and while no game should ever be overlooked (see Tampa Bay), it will help the Packers work their new starters into the defense. After that, the defense will have 11 days to figure out what is going to work and what needs to happen for the Packers to have continued success without two of their best defenders.

Replacing 92 tackles and two veterans in a span of four days will be no easy task for Dom Capers and the Packers’ defense, but both Williams and Jones have been on the field for a good amount of time already and have both started a game. It is definitely something to look for in tomorrow’s game, regardless of the opponent.