The Green Bay Packers have struggled on offense this season thanks to injuries. Aaron Rodgers has been trying to make something out of nothing and while it has failed at times, it does have the Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs. However, the one thing Green Bay can simply not afford is more injuries as the franchise help their breath when Davante Adams went down.
The Packers have never truly recovered from the season-ending injury to Jordy Nelson. Losing Ty Montgomery did not help either. Losing Adams would be catastrophic to the offense heading into the next playoff game. According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, Adams avoided major issues when he went down during the third quarter of the Packers win over the Redskins. Adams limped off the field after hurting his knee, but initial tests show he should be fine with some rest before next week's game against Arizona.
"They said that it's just going to be a thing that they felt it would probably be best and smartest if I sat out the rest of the half," Adams said, via ESPN.com. "It's a situation where you just feel it out throughout the week, but I think I'll be fine."
Adams has been critical for the Packers' offense this year. The receiver has paired well with Randall Cobb and James Jones. He put up four catches for 48 yards against the Redskins including one touchdown. While it is not positive whether or not Adams will be cleared for the game against the Cardinals, the receiver expects to be fine which should be good news for Rodgers and company.
Another bit of good news for Rodgers is the improved run game the Packers displayed against the Redskins. Eddie Lacy and James Starks each put forth 12 carries while putting up 63 yards and 53 yards respectfully as each man also found the endzone. The run game for the Packers has not been consistent this season, but it was the x-factor against Washington. The Packers must continue to execute on the ground if they intend on beating Arizona and getting into the conference championship.
"If we go in there with the same mindset, on the same page and with a don't-be-denied attitude, I'm pretty confident we can go in and win anywhere," Lacy said, via AL.com. "We have to start with that this week...Anytime you can establish the run game and establish it early, I think it helps the offense because it keeps the defense guessing. From this point on, I think having a strong run game can definitely help down the stretch."
The tandem of Lacy and Starks will be critical moving forward. Arizona's stingy defense is not going to make things easy on Green Bay as they are already having troubles at the offensive line. If the team can get things moving on the ground, they stand a better shot at getting the job done.
