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NFL Playoffs: X-Factors, red flags for each team

By Jeffery Reynolds

Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Green Bay Packers X Factor: Eddie Lacey and James Starks

This game features two of the most high powered offenses in the league, led by two of the most productive quarterbacks and receiving corps around. One could almost call the passing games a wash, with the Romo/Bryant/Williams/Witten attack being matched catch for catch by Rodgers/Nelson/Cobb/Lacey. In such an evenly matched game, it will be exciting to watch who ultimately gains the advantage.

That’s why this game could come down to the running backs. Green Bay must control the tempo and must control the time of possession. That’s where Eddie Lacey and James Starks come in. They both will be needed to get involved early and often, both on the ground and in the passing game.

Green Bay can strike quickly, but so can Dallas. The West Coast Offense that we know today (as devised by Bill Walsh, not the original WCO pioneered by Sid Gillman and perfected by Don Coryell) is really a ball control offense that uses the pass to control the clock, as opposed to the running game. Backs are expected to have a ton of touches and keep the chains moving by any means available.

This game could easily come down to the matchup of Mike McCarthy vs. Jason Garrett in terms of gameplanning. How McCarthy utilizes his bell cow in Lacey, and his change of pace back in Starks, could allow the Packers to dictate terms to Dallas.

Green Bay Packers Red Flag: Defending against DeMarco Murray

If the running back position is important to Green Bay, it’s vital to Dallas. It’s incumbent upon Green Bay to find a way to keep DeMarco Murray from taking over this game.

The problem is, that’s the weakness of their defense.

The Packers have struggled all season to control the running game on defense. They lost their stalwart at nosetackle, BJ Raji, to injury in the preseason, and they’ve had a difficult time replacing his run stuffing in the middle of the line. Though they’ve been better over the second half of the year, they’re still near the bottom of the league in run defense.

Did I mention that DeMarco Murray led the league in rushing this year? He not only led the league, but he led the league by almost 500 yards.

Now, he’s playing with a broken hand, but that didn’t stop him from putting up 75 yards and a TD against Ndamukong Suh and the Detroit Lions last week. Green Bay doesn’t have anything close to Suh on their defensive line for this game.

The Packers will only win if they can contain the damage Murray dishes out.

Next: Can the Colts advance past the Divisional Round

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