This game is going to come down to us running the ball and stopping Murray. Cowboys will do everything in their power to run long, time consuming drives and keep Rodgers off the field. I believe the winner of this game will represent NFC in the SuperBowl!

Bad reporting Aaron did practice took 50 to 60 % of snaps and looked sharp !

It would be great that Rodgers practiced today, just do all you can so he can stay upright in the whole game.

Speaking only for me, I am 50/50 on this game, and it really comes down to how Rodgers will perform.

If his health was 100% I would be confident the Pack could score point for point with Dallas and then some.

Given we really don't know whether he will pull up lame, or extend drives and keep the ball away from Dallas, I find myself very nervous.

I can't even eat half price appetizers during such games because I lose my appetite. Further I have so much adrenaline that alcohol has no effect on me.

So basically I exercise and pace during the game (live in New England...no support network) to deal with nerves.

Cheers to all the Packers fans who bring the positivity and GET LOUD LAMBEAU.

Thanks to all of you who support the Pack. Bring your A game this weekend!!!!

Aaron’s calf shouldn't affect his throwing motion and ability to throw from the pocket all that much. The concern is not his ability to side-step and evade in the pocket Of course, mobility out of the pocket on boot/waggle play-action passes and the quick reaction nature necessary to escape the pocket against pressure is an entirely different story altogether. If we are to see any deviation from his ability it will be in this area. In the passing game, the offensive line’s ability to keep the pocket clean against 4 man rushes and 5 man pressures is the key. I have limited to no concerns in this area as the unit is functioning at a high level. If Rodgers can throw from the pocket the entire game and remain relatively clean the offense will be effective. Just how effective is the question. The injury, if it limits his ability to move outside the pocket removes some important pieces of the arsenal, namely the play-action pass involving outside zone action with the deep post and over routes that have been a staple in this offense. This “big chunk” play would in essence be eliminated from the game plan by circumstance. What I think many are underestimating with this injury is the ability to go under center and execute the zone and gap runs and complimentary play-action passes. First, Lacy is a better zone runner when he is at 7 yds dotting the I. Case in point…..the first series against Detroit in which the offense came out in what is commonly referred to as “Pistol” with Lacy directly behind Rodgers at a depth of 7 yds. It was a downhill zone running clinic on that first drive. Lacy can be effective from the off-set position in the gun but not nearly as effective as when he is at depth, especially when running zone. The deep post/over playaction combo doesn’t work as well from Pistol because of the sheer quickness of the snap and fake to Lacy. When under center, the patience to the hole by Lacy coupled with the fact that Aaron’s back is turned to the secondary gives a stronger impression of run. Additionally, due to the slow developing backfield action the deep over and post (commonly run by Nelson) have the necessary time to develop. Play-action is essentially the same as 7-step drop back action in that it takes a long time to execute and requires deep routes to match the timing of the quarterback action. I question whether or not this can be done from a Pistol look. I could be wrong but I have serious reservations.
I would be more concerned if this game were taking place in the first half of the season as opposed to now. In fact, the Dallas defense doesn’t concern me at all. Their best chance to stop the Packer offense is to force turnovers. I would argue, given how defenses have played the Packer offense, Aaron’s injury has been a blessing in disguise for the dropback/shotgun passing game. Essentially, Rodgers and McCarthy have had to alter the pass clock. Rodgers can’t hold the ball for an eternity looking to force it downfield and has to rely on more YAC from his receivers. This was evident in the Detroit game and during the late 3rd quarter and early 4th quarter drives against Buffalo. This is how you beat coverage defenses. You have to be patient and move the chains and rely on your receivers and backs to turn a 5 yard slant in to a 15 yard gain from time to time. If the Dallas defensive formula is rush 4 and drop 7 then this is the antidote. If Dallas decides to bring 5 or 6 and play single high and zero coverage, I’ll put my money on Rodgers and his ability to find the seams and beat the coverage with his ball placement.
Excluding turnovers, this game will be won on 1st and 10 for the Packer defense. Dallas runs the ball 70% of the time in this situation as opposed to 55% of the time for Green Bay. Gains of 2 or 3 on 1st is the standard the Packers need to attain. An occasional no gain or tackle for loss will help as well. As always, 3rd down defensive efficiency will make or break this game for both teams as well. The difference is that Murray plays a much larger role in their success on 3rd down based on his 1st down success.