Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos: What's the Game Plan for Denver?

The NFL has staged a battle of 6-0 teams just four times in league history. In Week 8, on Sunday Night Football, the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers will become No. 5 on that list.

Not only will the game feature two undefeated teams battling on national television, it will also feature two teams fresh off their bye weeks.

During those bye weeks, the Packers most likely merely sharpened their skills while the Broncos searched for ways to help a stagnant offense. Both teams are 6-0, but they've won their games in very different ways.

Green Bay has had little trouble in winning its first six games, while the Broncos have had to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on more than one occasion. As a result, many fans would likely agree that the Packers present the biggest challenge the Broncos have faced so far.

Green Bay has arguably the best quarterback in the league, Aaron Rodgers, a potent offense and an underrated defense. The Broncos will need to put together a nearly perfect game plan in order to win this game.

In addition to that, the Broncos haven't beaten the Packers in 16 years. So how might the team go about reversing that trend? Here's a look at the potential game plan for the Broncos.

Offensive Game Plan

Aaron Josefczyk/Associated Press

This game may very well be decided on how well Peyton Manning protects the football. With that said, the offensive line has to do its part in protecting him and allowing plays to develop.

The Packers have an underrated defensive line along with veteran players Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, two guys who could give Manning plenty of trouble. Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers will no doubt be looking to put the pressure on Manning, who has thrown 10 interceptions and just seven touchdown passes on the year.

The Packers are a team that can be susceptible to the run. They rank No. 22 in the league against the run, giving up 118.5 yards per game. That makes Ronnie Hillman a key factor on Sunday night.

Hillman ran for over 100 yards in Denver's last game against Cleveland and should start to see the majority of the carries going forward, given the struggles of C.J. Anderson.

The Broncos need to get positive gains on first and second downs, making for manageable third downs. To beat the Packers, Rodgers must be kept on the sideline.

The Broncos need to move the chains on a consistent basis and control time of possession. In the season opener, the Chicago Bears ran a perfect game plan against Green Bay, particularly in the first half.

The Bears dominated time of possession and even took a lead into the locker room at halftime. They did that by getting Matt Forte involved early and often. Though the Packers still managed to win that game by making the proper adjustments in the second half, the Bears had the right idea. Forte finished that game with 29 touches.

Hillman should be used in the same way. While giving him 29 touches may not be reasonable, the Broncos should rely heavily on him in this game to help set up 3rd-and-short situations.

If the Broncos are left with 3rd-and-10 or longer, Green Bay will not be intimidated by Manning and will likely blitz him in each of those situations, hoping to get a big turnover. To aid the offensive line, head coach Gary Kubiak should consider using a blocking tight end like Virgil Green or Richard Gordon on the line on a majority of the offensive snaps.

Defensive Game Plan

Jeffrey Phelps/Associated Press

Rodgers is a seasoned quarterback who won't be phased by Denver's No. 1 defense or the fact that he will be up against a loud crowd on the road. Rodgers makes big plays when he has to, and he makes every player around him better. 

That has become even more evident this season, as he has led his team to a 6-0 record despite not having his No. 1 wide receiver—Jordy Nelson—who is out for the year with a torn ACL. 

However, it seems the Packers could be getting wide receiver Davante Adams back this week. Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports that Adams is listed as probable on the Packers' injury report. 

Green Bay will throw the ball a lot in this game, and though the Broncos have Aqib Talib and Chris Harris playing quarterback, Rodgers will still challenge them with shots down the field.

In order to slow Rodgers down, the Broncos should take a close look at the game film from Week 6 when the Packers hosted the San Diego Chargers. In that game, San Diego forced him to stay inside a crowded pocket. The Chargers were able to sack Rodgers three times, but the pressure they put on him hurried him into many bad throws.

Most importantly, the Chargers limited Rodgers' movement outside the pocket, where he can be very dangerous. Green Bay overcame the Chargers to win the game, but it didn't come easily.

Though the Packers remain undefeated, the Bears and Chargers have provided a blueprint on how to beat them. It's just a matter of executing that plan for a full 60 minutes. Denver has more talent than both of those teams and is capable of pulling that off.

Pressure on Rodgers will be the key, and Denver just happens to have what could be the best pass rush in the entire league. The fact that DeMarcus Ware should be back in the lineup— according to Pro Football Talk—makes it even stronger.

"

DeMarcus Ware: "I'm good. Feel good. I'm ready for this game."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 29, 2015"

Players and Matchups to Watch

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Matt Paradis vs. Clay Matthews: Green Bay likes to generate pressure right up the middle, and Matthews is one of the most aggressive players in the league. Matt Paradis has showed signs of his inexperience this year, but he will need to have his best game of the season so far in order to help keep Matthews away from his quarterback.

Pro Football Focus ranks Paradis as the No. 19 center in the league through seven games and gives him a negative grade in terms of pass-blocking.

Denver Pass Rush vs. David Bakhtiari: This could be a rough game for Green Bay's left tackle, David Bakhtiari. He will be tasked with helping to hold off the league's No. 1 pass rush, but he'll be protecting Rodgers' blind side.

Bakhtiari could rack up some penalties in the process, having to commit a foul in order to keep a guy like Ware or Von Miller off his quarterback. According to nflpenalties.com, only four tackles have been flagged more times this year than Bakhtiari.

Pro Football Focus has Bakhtiari ranked at No. 59 out of 78 offensive tackles, As a result, the Broncos could get the better of him.

James Jones: If Green Bay regains the services of Adams, he could move back into the No. 2 wide receiver role, which would put him against either Talib or Harris. However, the Broncos must not forget about James Jones. 

The Packers could line Jones up in the slot and try to take advantage of a guy like Bradley Roby. Jones has at least one touchdown reception in five of the team's six games this season.

Denver Tight Ends: At some point, the Broncos must get something from the tight end position, even if they just help as additional pass protection. On the season, the team has gotten just 17 receptions out of the tight end position. 

"

#Broncos rank 30th in the #NFL, with only 123 receiving yds by their tight ends. Who would have thought a Kubiak offense would rank so low?

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) October 23, 2015"

Manning needs someone other than Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders to throw the ball to. A consistent No. 3 option in the passing game has yet to emerge.

Owen Daniels really needs to step up his play in this game.

Prediction

This will easily be the toughest opponent the Broncos have faced to this point in the season. They are fortunate to be getting the Packers at home, as Lambeau Field is a very difficult place to get a win. 

However, as far as home-field advantage goes, here's a stat to keep in mind. Since coming to Denver, Manning is 24-2 at home during the regular season. With that said, the fact that the game is being played at Sports Authority Field gives the Broncos an edge.

However, Green Bay is not a typical opponent. In fact, the Broncos have not beaten the Packers since October 1999. With Rodgers under center, the Packers have the ability to beat any team in the league, regardless of the venue.

Denver has the talent to move to 7-0, particularly if the game plan outlined above is executed. If the Broncos control time of possession, protect the ball and knock Rodgers around with their pass rush, they'll get the victory, but barely.

Final Prediction: Broncos 24, Packers 23