After defeating the Detroit Lions in Week 17, the Green Bay Packers earned a much needed bye week to rest and recover. Aaron Rodgers, who briefly departed the Week 17 divisional showdown, is nursing a minor calf injury and may be somewhat limited during this weekend’s game. Regardless of whether Rodgers feels the effects of this injury, he has the talent and receivers to carve up opposing defenses.
Rodgers’s top two wide receivers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, combined for 189 receptions, 2,806 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns during the regular season.Few teams have one cornerback, let alone two corners, who are good enough to slowdown this dynamic duo. Dallas’s defense yielded 251.9 passing yards per game, which ranked 26th in the league. On paper, Rodgers should not have any problem carving up Dallas’s secondary.
When Rodgers isn’t throwing touchdowns to his top two targets, he’s feeding the ball to running back, Eddie Lacy. Lacy rumbled for 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. Dallas’s run defense has been quite good, allowing just 103.1 rushing yards per game. A matchup between two teams with proud traditions always commands higher ticket prices on the secondary market.
According to TiqIQ, the average secondary market price for Cowboys vs. Packers tickets is $323.71 while the average get-in price is $187. While the average ticket price is the lowest among the NFL Divisional Round games, this matchup features the highest get-in ticket prices. The price for the game is 46% above the 2014 regular season average at Lambeau Field.
While Green Bay’s offense receives the headlines, Green Bay’s defense will be the key to this game. Green Bay’s defense is allowing 119.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks 23rd in the league. Dallas’s rushing attack is averaging 147.1 rushing yards per game, which is second best in the league. Dallas’s rushing attack is sending four players, Murray and offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Zach Martin, and Travis Fredricks, to the Pro Bowl. I
f Green’s Bay’s defensive line cannot penetrate into Dallas’s backfield, Dallas will control the clock and keep Green Bay’s potent offense on the sidelines. Green Bay has won three straight games against Dallas, including a 37-36 decision at AT&T Stadium last year. Expect a spirited effort from both sides as a spot in the NFC Championship game is on the line.
The winner of this game will just be a game away from representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. Currently, the secondary market average price for Super Bowl tickets on TiqIQ is $3370.23, almost exactly the average price of last year’s Super Bowl.
Follow Jersey Al:
Follow @JerseyAlGBP
Add to Circleson
Jersey Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com, and the co-founder of Packers Talk Radio Network. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.
——————
If any of you have tickets this is going to be a historic game so please go and enjoy it. These playoff games in Green Bay are special. Don’t take these for granted.. If you have to sell, please don’t sell to anyone wearing cowboy boots, anyone with a southern accent or anyone driving a Cadillac with horns on the front wearing a white suit. Please sell only to the cheesehead community. Discrimination is mandatory in this case.
Thank you Packers fans for your cooperation,
Ted
Ted, that was perfect !!!!
Rodgers “nursing a minor calf injury” ? He heard a pop from his lower calf and thought he blew out his Achilles tendon when he fell to the field. He than got carted off to the locker room. When he came back to the field he didn’t take more than 3 steps on any play. He hasn’t been able to practice for 10 days and counting. I hope it’s minor, but, it’s moderate at best
http://physioworks.com.au/injuries-conditions-1/calf-muscle-tears
I wonder what level Rodgers has? Grade 2 is my guess? 4-8 week recovery
First strain was a grade 1. I suspect the 2nd strain sustained in the Lions games was either also a grade one or possibly a 2? The fact that he felt like his Achilles blew suggests it may more likely be the later? I think a true grade 2 strain would probably keep him off the field and prevent him from even routine movement. The Packers seem pretty confident that he will be able to play so I guess time will tell? Go Pack!!