NFL Playoff Predictions: What NFC Teams Must Do To Challenge Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are undefeated, but not unbeatable. Every team has flaws that can be exposed, and the Packers are no different.

This is true even in the NFC—despite the fact that the Packers only need one win or one loss from the 49ers to clinch home-field advantage. 

Even though they'll have to go through Lambeau Field, there isn't a single team in the NFC that's not capable of beating the Packers. This is what they will need to do (or not do) if the Packers are going to lose in the playoffs. 

San Francisco 49ers

On paper, the 49ers have the best chance of winning a game at Lambeau Field. Their defense is strong, and their offense isn't one that will be too bothered by weather. The Packers can't make either one of those claims. 

But the 49ers have been plagued with two big problems all year. If they are even going to think about competing with the Packers, both will need to be fixed.

On offense, they kick too many field goals. Green Bay's defense does the allow the occasional big play. When they allow those plays, the 49ers need to cash them in for six points—not three and certainly not zero. That's happened too often to the 49ers this year. If they are going to beat the Packers, it needs to stop.

Also, while the 49ers run defense is stellar, their defense allows too many big plays. With weapons like Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Jermichael Finley, that's something that also needs to stop. 

New Orleans Saints

This is purely on the Saints' defense. If they are going make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl, they need to do the same thing they did two years ago: Blitz, blitz and blitz. 

Unlike the 49ers, the Saints can allow some big plays. Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense will score plenty on their own.

But the Saints can't allow Aaron Rodgers to be in his comfort zone. When the two teams met on the NFL's opening night, Rodgers was far too comfortable. As a result, he marched all over the New Orleans defense. 

Their defense needs to revert to the form that won the Super Bowl in 2009. 

New York Giants

The Giants are in a similar situation to the Saints, except they don't need to blitz as often. The Giants have an elite group of defensive ends. They need to play like it.

Eli Manning and the passing game is not a concern. What the Giants need to do on offense is run the ball and keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. As we saw when the two teams met, Rodgers doesn't need a lot of time. 

The Giants know that they can compete with the Packers. But Rodgers knows that he can torch the New York secondary. He can't be given that chance. 

Dallas Cowboys

If the Cowboys are going to beat the Packers, they first need to overtake the Giants and get to the playoffs. If that's going to happen, they are going to need to take the game out of their secondary's hands, and not turn the ball over. That's the same formula that will beat the Packers.

The Cowboys have the talent to beat any team in the league, but they find creative ways to lose on a weekly basis. If Dallas is going to lose to the Packers, they need to be sure that the Packers are the ones that actually do the damage, not the Cowboys.

That means no interceptions, no blown coverages, no missed field goals (iced or not) and no missed opportunities. 

Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner is going to be key here. He'll help keep the Packers off the field, and will keep the field position in Atlanta's favor. 

Remember that Atlanta was even with the Packers a season ago in the playoffs until Matt Ryan threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. That gave the Packers a 28-14 halftime lead, and it was a blowout from there. 

Turner will have to keep the ball in Atlanta's hands. When Matt Ryan is called upon to throw the ball, he needs to find the guys wearing his own jersey.

Detroit Lions

It seems like a long time ago, but the Lions were once the last remaining undefeated team—with the obvious exception of the Packers.

Now the Lions have been defeated and are only in the playoffs because the Bears have so many injuries. That can change.

For one, the Lions need to get the ball to Calvin Johnson. There isn't a defense in the league that has the weapons to match up with Johnson. He's athletically superior to any defenders guarding him.

More importantly, the Lions can't beat themselves. They make too many stupid penalties. The Packers aren't a team that needs 15-yard gifts. The Lions gave them way too many on Thanksgiving. Without those, the game will be much different.

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a season ago