4 Keys for Green Bay Packers' Return to Super Bowl

The Green Bay Packers seemed destined to return to the Super Bowl last season. After finishing the season with a 15-1 record, the Packers were on cruise control heading into the playoffs.

A disappointing loss at home to the New York Giants ended Green Bay's run at a repeat championship. A successful draft by Ted Thompson and the Packers front office has the team back on track to win a second Super Bowl in three years. 

Let's look at the biggest keys for the Packers and their quest for another championship.

Improve Pass-Rush

This is probably a tiring subject for fans of the Packers, but it was an obvious flaw last season. The problem on the front line was clearly seen during the playoffs against the Giants.

The draft focused on the defense, and particularly the front seven. The addition of Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy will upgrade the Packers and help star players Clay Matthew and B.J. Raji improve their game. 

While the NFL is a pass-friendly league, defense still wins championships. Last season's champion Giants are proof of that. Their defensive caught fire late and helped them win their second championship in four years.

The Giants specialized in getting to the quarterback and applying pressure to create turnovers. The Packers can already create turnovers in their secondary without much of a pass-rush. The led the league in turnovers and should be able to capitalize more on that with a better front line.

Strong Safety Play

The injury to Nick Collins last season was a devastating loss for the Packers. Now, with his release, the Packers safeties need to step up their game.

Morgan Burnett had a solid season with the Packers last season and finished second on the team in tackles. He is a good run-stopper and needs to improve on his coverage skills, but is a quality starter for Green Bay's secondary.

Charlie Peprah replaced Collins last season at free safety, and he finished second on the team in interceptions, but had multiple blown coverages.

Without Collins, the free safety position is one of the weakest spots on the Packers roster. Drafting Jerron McMillian was a good move to add depth to the safety position and give Green Bay more options for what they want to do.

McMillian will most likely go into training camp battling for the starting position with Peprah. McMillian was drafted as a strong safety, but can play either position. There is a possibility that Burnett could be moved over with McMillian playing strong safety.

Jermichael Finley

Jermichael Finley tied his career high in receptions last season with 55, but had several key drops throughout the course of the season.

At the beginning of the 2011 season, Finley claimed that his season would be the "year of the takeover." It was hardly a takeover and was somewhat of a disappointment. Finley's size and athleticism should make him a threat over-the-middle and down-the-field. 

A new type of hybrid tight end was taking over the league last year with New England Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, along with New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham. Finley should be able to fit into that group of tight ends, as he has the skill set and size to be a dominant player for the Packers.

Another benefit for Finley is the amount of weapons the Packers have on their roster. This will help him avoid double teams, as defenses need to focus on all the Packers players on the field. If Finley is able to break out this season and make himself a dominant player, Green Bay will be almost unstoppable to beat on offense.

Pass Protection

The Packers pass protection has taken some heat over the last few years, but they have improved since allowing Rodgers to be sacked 50 times in 2009.

Releasing veteran tackle Chad Clifton makes the offensive line younger and puts more pressure on Marshall Newhouse, who will likely take over at left tackle.

Rodgers is the best player on the Packers and the offensive line needs to make sure he gets the protection he needs. Green Bay does not rely heavily on the run, which means more drop backs for Rodgers and more chances of him getting hurt.

Also, opposing defenses will be applying more pressure throughout the season if the line has shown they can't protect Rodgers. The Packers line has more pressure than most other lineman due to the fact that Rodgers holds onto the ball too long at times. He feels his scrambling abilities will get him out of any situations, which sometimes put him in trouble.

So if the Packers want to make another run at a Super Bowl, they need to make sure Rodgers has time to do what an MVP quarterback can do.