First and 10- Packers are very good

Satori"...going where the climate suits my clothes"

In this article they talk about the importance of winning on first down, and the fact that the Packers are the number 2 team in the league at succeeding on first down

http://smartfootball.com/gamep...own-means-everything

The other item I like to look at in assessing a powerful offense is the ratio of 3rd downs to 1st downs

When an offense is humming along, they convert on 1st and 2nd and don't even get to 3rd down. When an offense is struggling, you will see them have 21 first downs and 19 3rd downs

GB has done very well in succeeding on 1st down AND in not needing a 3rd down to keep the chains moving

Vs Atlanta in the playoffs:

GB had 28 first downs, but only reached 3rd down on 12 of those series, a remarkable achievement in a road playoff game

GB has to win on first down vs the Steelers and guess what ? Their defense is the best in the league at stuffing the run of first down and putting the offense in lousy down and distance scenarios

MM will have his work cut out for him but I like our chances

1/28/111:23 PM

Original Post

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FreeSafetyI wonder what the poor people are doing?

1st down becomes even more important when you figure in how bad the Packers are on 3rd and short.

1/28/111:33 PM

artisMember

Pack definitely needs to win on 1st and 2nd downs. There's been alot of talk that GB will spread them out, partly to neutralize Cher's strengths in the run game. It might also be a decent way to have an effective run game against the Stillers, maybe some draws and misdirection type plays.

I think priority #1 for the Pack offense in this game is ball security, both fumbles and dropped balls. If the WRs secure the ball like they did against CHI the Pack will find success. They cannot waste opportunities to make positive plays.

1/28/111:34 PM

crowheadMember

The Steelers have done a great job all year at shutting down the run and I think if you game plan to beat them on the ground you are going to lose. The teams that had some success this year against them made them play the pass which helps open things up in the run game. Ellis-Green had a 100 yard rushing game against them because they had to play the pass. I think the idea is to get them into nickle and dime situations all game as they have very good linebackers but they are not as deep in the secondary.

1/28/111:50 PM

Dr._BobMember

Can the Packers spread out the Steelers defense and still keep enough protection in for Rodgers? I'm sure the Packers will have plenty of quick passes, roll outs, draws, and screen passes to help with this, and of course Rodgers mobility helps a lot, but I hope they don't get careless in protecting him. Then again, there's nothing left this season to fight for. Leave it all on the field. And it's the games that the Packers open up the offense where they dominate, rather than those close, white knuckle defensive games, which the Championship game became after the playcalling became more conservative.

1/28/112:32 PM

Timmy!TIMMAAAAYYY!!

I'll echo FS's comment; for as good as the Pack may be on 1st down, we are terrible at 3rd-and 1 or 3rd-and 2 situations.

1/28/118:07 PM

YATittleMember

Play action fake to Kuhn on third and short...

1/28/118:09 PM

GusBobMember

went thru a brief stretch there when 1st and goal gave us trouble but we overed it

I think overall our red zone scoring was amongst the best in show

1/28/118:10 PM

michiganjoeMember

The offense is capable of appearing to be an almost unstoppable well-oiled machine like they did in Atlanta and they're also capable of stinking up the place like they did in the second half against the Bears. They were 2-11 on third down in that game and that won't cut it in the SB.

As far as third and short, I think sometimes MM may be handcuffing AR with overly conservative and predictable playcalling in those situations. Numerous opportunities were there to close against the Bears and the team failed to capitalize.

1/29/113:41 AM

trumpMember

Design rollouts might also be in the cards, providing you get that OLB to that side to vacate with a RB ...

Gonna be 1 helluva chess-match thats all I have to say ...

1/29/1110:07 AM

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