A Green Bay defensive nemisis, a matchup of Super Bowl winning quarterbacks and an old school look spice up Sunday's visit from the Denver Broncos to Lambeau FIeld.
Matt LaFleur's Packers are gunning for a 3-0 start while Denver's first year Head Coach and longtime NFL defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is looking for his first win when the teams kickoff at noon. Fangio has dialed up more than a few dastardly game plans against Aaron Rodgers in his years coordinating San Francisco and Chicago defenses.
Rodgers will try to get the better of Joe Flacco, acquired by Broncos General Manager in the off-season trade with Baltimore, where he quarterbacked the Ravens to a Super Bowl title.
Denver has never won a regular season game on Wisconsin soil, going 0-5-1 over the years. Lambeau was rocking for the home opener last week against Minnesota as fans are clearly getting energized by Green Bay's newfound defensive prowess.
Finally, the annual salute to days gone by will have the Packers donning throwback uniforms from the Curly Lambeau era for their first interconference matchup of the year.
Before breaking down the matchups, let's hear from the boys on how they view the week three challenge.
(Audio: Packer players)
When the Packers have the ball:
Even though Denver's pass rush hasn't gotten a quarterback to the ground yet, protection will be a high priority. The Raiders and the Bears both had the quarterback get rid of the ball quickly and they found success on the ground which slows a rush. Watch for Aaron Jones to become more of a dual threat. After cracking 100 plus against the Vikings, the Packers will want to get him going early on the ground before moving him to the perimeter to seek winnable matchups. The screen came will also come in handy. Chris Harris, a very good corner, will lock up with Davante Adams so it's imperative route combinations create space for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison and hopefully a little more Jake Kumerow. The possible absence of Jimmy Graham would leave tight end targets as an afterthought. If Denver is thinking that way, plays could be available for Mercedes Lewis or Robert Tonyan. The scripted 15 were executed brilliantly last week against the Vikings, anxious to see how LaFleur attacks Fangio's plan early.
When the Broncos have the ball:
The Packers can't sleep on Joe Flacco. While up in years, he plays to his experience very well. He has playmakers, Emmanuel Sanders is his favorite target, two backs can hurt teams in Phillip Lindsay and leading rusher Royce Freeman. Top draft pick Noah Fant from Iowa has not disappointed. The Broncos have been able to move the ball between the 20's but they only scored two touchdowns so far. Untimely penalties and only 9 of 27 third down conversions are stopping them before hitting the red zone. The Packer defense is eager to turn two solid performances into three. Getting Flacco uncomfortable, even having him move from the pocket a little should get results. Limiting explosive plays will be key, the Packers gave the Vikings five accounting for nearly 300 yards last week. Denver has only one offensive play that's gone for more than 30 yards so far.
Don't forget special teams:
With Trevor Davis in Oakland, the return game will feature Darrius Shepherd or maybe Tramon Williams on punt returns with newcomer Tremon Smith bringing back kickoffs, even though kickoff returns are quickly becomming extinct in the NFL. The Packers have won the field position kicking game in each of the first two games and hidden yardage will play a large role again.
I've picked against the Packers twice so logic says to take the Broncos. Nope, I like the Pack to get it rolling, 24-16.
