SnoTap Packers Preview: Cleveland v. Green Bay

Green Bay Packers has been here before with injuries. Once again, it looks like a M.A.S.H unit in the locker room with major injuries, injuries that cause players to miss games and then the nicks/bruises that only the players and the trainers know about. They are back at Lambeau to face the surprising Cleveland Browns. The story has been told for Cleveland. Everyone thought their season was over in Week 2 after dealing Trent Richardson to Indianapolis but they did not give up. Green Bay will have to manage against another tough defense with a new look offense as well as try to deal with the linebacker position is very lonely.

The matchup of the day to watch is Jordy Nelson against Joe Haden. Nelson is the go-to wide receiver now with the injuries to Randall Cobb and James Jones. Haden is slowly and quietly I might add becoming one of the more lockdown corners in football. It will be fun to see how the Packers use Nelson in attempt to avoid strict one-on-one matchups with the former Florida product. There is no doubt in my mind that Nelson can beat Haden a couple times and it might be beneficial to the Packers to have Haden in Nelson's back pocket  all game long allowing the other Packers receivers to work out there.

Everyone is curious including me to see how Green Bay will use Jermichael Finley on Sunday. Some are talking about seeing him split out more often which has drawn mixed reviews from Packers fans. While Finley could give one shit what the fans think of him, he could start earning some points with them again if he performs big when Cobb is out. I do think the Finley-Aaron Rodgers chemistry is the best its been during their entire time of playing together which will definitely help things. Defenses against the Packers have taken away the quick out to Finley and I am curious if they will try that again except Finley being in the slot this time. Finley will also be used as a decoy in the slot like they have in years past.

My buddy Seth asked me 'How lucky are the Packers they are playing Brandon Weeden when they only have TWO healthy outside linebackers?' The answer is yes, yes very thankful. Weeden is not a good quarterback, but he does have some weapons. Jordan Cameron could be an absolute terror over the middle, but we have not really seen a tight end have an impact yet this season against Green Bay.  Josh Gordon, a Packer fan favorite, they want to see in Green and Gold will have a good matchup with Sam Shields. It should be a fun one. If you are Cleveland's offense, the plan has to be hitting the flats as much as possible with the lack of outside linebackers.

As for the game, a ten-point spread seems like a steep one given the Packers issues woes and the Browns good defense. But Weeden seems to make a couple horrendous turnovers costing his team the game. The Packers have been better at forcing them this year and I feel like they will have two or more against the Cleveland quarterback, possibly one for a touchdown. Additionally, I think the worries about the Packers offense will look overblown after this game. Green Bay 31 Cleveland 20.  

Charlie.