SnoTap Packer Preview: Philadelphia vs. Green Bay.

I am going to throw up a playlist later in the day. I am pressed on time and I know this is an important post to Packer fans this morning.  

When writing these Packer previews, I usually know what will happen, or what I could see happening in the game. That is based off having one of the best quarterbacks behind center. This is not the case on Sunday as Green Bay takes on Philadelphia without Aaron Rodgers whose out with a collarbone injury. Matt Flynn started at Lambeau in place of Rodgers in the 2011 season, but that's it. Seneca Wallace will be the fourth quarterback to start a game for Green Bay since 1992 and that's one of the lowest numbers in all of the National Football League.

The atmosphere at Lambeau will be different than other Packers game. There will be a feeling of uncertainty, but hopefully, the fans can will their team a little bit when they need it. It will be a Milwaukee game adding to the interest of the crowd. Rodgers has said countless times, the players know when it is a Milwaukee crowd versus a Green Bay crowd based on the noise. The Milwaukee folks have to bring the noise on Sunday because they are going to need it.

Not trying to compare the two, but Wallace should look to Alex Smith as the best case scenario. Complete
some passes, do no turn the ball over and manage the game. Rodgers pointed on 'Tuesday with Aaron' with ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde that Wallace only took four snaps with the first team last week. Rodgers might have sounded like Seneca's public relations staff, yet he did make sound points about other backups getting thrown into action meaning it is not fair to judge the player. We will have answers about Wallace after this football game.

Wallace and Eddie Lacy will have their opportunities to beat Philadelphia's defense. The Eagles currently hold the worst pass defense in the league.  Opposing teams are averaging 308 yards a game against Philadelphia this season. Wallace's best performance did not reach 300 yards, but he will have some opportunities do make things happen on Sunday. The same goes for Lacy.  Philadelphia is a little better at stopping the run being 21st in the league, but they still allow 118 yards per game. Further, Eagles defense allows about 4.1 yards a carry meaning Eddie should be able to eat again on Sunday afternoon.

With all the talk about Wallace, Clay Matthews expects to play on Sunday. This is a huge boost to Green Bay's defense. They struggled getting to the passer last week against Chicago and now Matthews has his chance to reek havoc on an average Philadelphia offensive line. Currently, the Eagles have given up 25 sacks for the year which ranks eleventh in the NFL.  I will limit my expectations with how much of a difference maker Matthews can make with a giant club on one of his hands. Honestly, you do not know about these things without actually seeing him on the field.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers looked like a lost puppy dog trying to defend Marc Trestman's new offense last Monday. He now sees Chip Kelly's offensive explosion which looked alive again last week versus Oakland. Capers spent a good amount of time this summer learning about how to stop the zone read and offenses like Kelly's so this could be a little different than Monday night. My concern is with how Matt Fotre was used as a safety valve, I could see LeSean McCoy doing the same thing then making plays with his feet as Philadelphia spreads the rest of the Packers defense out. Additionally if McCoy has a big day on the ground, there will be some new questions about this Packers defense.  

Tramon Williams is a player whom some feel is falling fast.  Many believe he is not the same player as he once was in Green Bay. Williams will go up against Riley Cooper and that could be a scenario where Williams has some trouble.  Sam Shields versus DeSean Jackson should be awesome. Two of the best speedsters out there going up against one and another. The Packers need to force Nick Foles into a couple bad passes as they are tied for the lowest amount of interceptions with only three of them this year.

As for the game, I am taking Green Bay.  I trust in the Packers defense. I trust they are going to force more turnovers than what we have seen in the past.  I also think they will also find a way to control the game on the ground with a big game from Lacy and James Starks. There will not be as much scoring as there is with Rodgers, but Wallace will do just fine. Green Bay 21 Philadelphia 16.  

Charlie.