Patriots vs. Packers: Breaking Down New England's Game Plan

It is fitting that the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers will play this Sunday at Lambeau Field. If they continue their strong play, Super Bowl Sunday could be the next time these teams meet.

Here is what New England needs to do in order to emerge from the frozen tundra victorious.

Patriots Defense vs. Packers Offense

The Patriots need to focus on taking options away from Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay's impressive quarterback who is making it look easy this year.

Rodgers' No. 1 option is Jordy Nelson, who runs better routes than anyone in the league. If Green Bay commits to putting him in motion, New England will need to spend Darrelle Revis to cover him. If he is stationary, Brandon Browner and a safety will likely be the play.

The slippery Randall Cobb is option two. Kyle Arrington and Logan Ryan will likely be tasked with shutting him down, like they did to Indianapolis' T.Y. Hilton in Week 11. Reserve receivers Davante Adams and Jarrett Boykin are quality players as well, so it will be an all-hands-on-deck game for the defensive backs.

If you can stop the passing attack, Eddie Lacy is your prize. Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins will need to be ready to shed blocks and take on a running back that doesn't like getting tackled. Rallying to the ball will be key to limiting yards after contact. 

Patriots Offense vs. Packers Defense

Finding Clay Matthews Jr. on the field isn't hard. His hair gives him away. Stopping him once you've found him is another issue. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels touched on Matthews' importance in a conference call this week:

"

[Matthews] is a versatile guy, there's no question about it. We need to know where he's at on each snap. He's not just in one place, that's for certain. I think, to me, no matter where he's at – if he's inside off the line, if he's on the line of scrimmage playing a linebacker position or if he's in their sub packages playing an end or in a pass rush position – he's a very good football player. Certainly, we're going to have a lot of guys that are going to need to be ready to handle him in protection because it's not just one person's responsibility based on the fact that he lines up [at] so many different spots. It'll be a big challenge for us. He's part of a really, really good unit that we're getting ready for.

"

Other opportunistic players like Micah Hyde, Casey Hayward and Mike Daniels make the Packers difficult to play against. They've created 15 interceptions and have forced eight fumbles this season. Their plus-15 turnover differential is a big reason they are 8-3. 

If New England can take care of the ball—they have a plus-11 ratio themselves—they should be able to move the chains. Green Bay is giving up over 370 yards per game, including 137 on the ground. Look for the Patriots to wear down the defensive line with a quick passing game and an upbeat tempo and then lean on LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray to finish the game off.

Jim Mone/Associated Press

What They're Saying

New England has had a lot of success in building early leads and turning the other team into a one-dimensional offense. That has allowed the Patriots defense to pin their ears back and be aggressive. Brady thinks that the Packers can do the same:

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This is not the team you want to get behind by. You get behind 14-0, and then it's 21-0, then it's 28-0, and before you know it, they've just got the game so well under control that you have no chance. You've got to be able to stay close to them. There is nothing other than solid execution that you could point to, and we've got to figure out the best ways to attack them. They present a lot of challenges. They can rush the passer. They're good in coverage. They've got a real good secondary [with] great cover players. It's a terrific team, great defense. We're going to need to be sharp. 

"

The Patriots have shown that they can be one-dimensional if they need to be, throwing 53 times against the Detroit Lions last week. That said, balance can help any offense.

Tale of the Tape

Quarterback

With all respect to Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are the two best quarterbacks in the league right now.

Verdict: Push

Running Backs 

Lacy has the most talent, but New England's versatility and depth earns them the push. Gray and Blount may be asked to finish this game off in the dark and cold.

Verdict: Push

Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell are playing out of their minds right now. Cobb and Nelson are matching them stride for stride. The Packers' additional depth here gives them the nod.

Verdict: Packers

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski and Tim Wright are both better than Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarless. The Patriots need to exploit this advantage on game day.

Verdict: Patriots

Offensive Line

Each team's line has played well over the last two months, especially when pass blocking. Whichever team can protect their quarterback the best will likely win the game.

Verdict: Push

Defensive Line 

Steven Senne/Associated Press

While Daniels has had an amazing year in Green Bay, the rest of their line has struggled. Even without Chandler Jones, the Patriots line is still getting the job done. Alan Branch has proved to be a nice addition.

Verdict: Patriots

Linebackers

Julius Peppers and Matthews are perhaps the only pair that can match the talent and production of Dont'a Hightower—who is playing like the best inside linebacker in the league—and Jamie Collins.  These are two great linebacking groups.

Verdict: Push

Defensive Backs

This is the strength of each defense. Whichever squad can come up with the most turnovers may win their team the game. The transcendent talent of Revis gives New England a small edge here.

Verdict: Patriots

Special Teams

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Stephen Gostkowski and Mason Crosby are each having good seasons. Tim Masthay and Ryan Allen are performing up to their capabilities. Randall Cobb and Julian Edelman are two of the best returner men in the business. Matthew Slater may make a difference when all is said and done.

Verdict: Push

Overall: Patriots, 3-1-5

On paper, the Patriots have a slight advantage in a few areas, but this is a very close game between two of the best organizations in football. It will be decided in the fourth quarter.

Wednesday's Injury Report Analysis (via Patriots.com)

Did Not Practice: None

Limited: Danny Aiken, Chandler Jones, Cameron Fleming, Dan Connolly, Nate Ebner, Dominique Easley, Marcus Cannon, Shane Vereen

Full: Tom Brady, Julian Edelman

The big news is that Chandler Jones is progressing well. He would add another layer of depth to the pass rush. Danny Aiken and Shane Vereen are new additions to the list.

Stats and figures courtesy of NFL.com.