Burke’s Big 5: Quarterback matchup key factor in who wins in Brazil

(WFRV) – The Green Bay Packers kick off their season on Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, and Local 5 Sports Director Burke Griffin is giving you his five keys to the game.

Love Hurts

It’s a pretty safe bet that whoever wins tonight’s game will have the better playmaker at the quarterback position for this particular week.

Last season, Jalen Hurts had modest numbers passing with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, but that wasn’t his best asset. The Eagles quarterback is that rare combination of a power runner and a game-changer with his wheels.

Hurts was third in rushing yards for a quarterback last year, behind only Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields. He was also tied for 2nd behind only Christian McCaffrey for rushing touchdowns in 2023.

The Packers defense needs to stop him first, to have a chance. On the other side of the field, which Jordan Love will we see? The one who was very underwhelming in the first nine games of the season, where Green Bay went just 3-6? Or the guy who finished the season 7-3 overall with MVP-type numbers.

QB1 threw just one pass during a preseason game, and it happened to be smooth sailing (literally) for Dontayvion Wicks, who ran untouched for a touchdown. If Matt LaFleur is confident that was all he needed to see from the guy who recently signed a $220 million contract, then I think Packer fans should feel fine about him standing on the sideline for those three meaningless games in August.

The Fun Bunch

Throughout history, several wide receiver groups have set themselves apart, with two or three Pro Bowl types garnering most of the attention. At the same time, the other players have specific moments in their careers where they shine.

As a kid growing up, Washington had eventual Hall of Famer Art Monk, Charlie Brown, and five or six other pass catchers who could make plays.

This current WR room in Green Bay probably has more overall talent, with three talented tight ends also in the mix. Jordan Love will have his choice as to which way he wants to go, but considering how this offense Has run during the Matt LaFleur Era, It’s safe to say that he will have as many as three options on every passing play.

I don’t remember a group as talented or deep in the green and gold since that record-breaking group in 2011. Who knows, by midseason, this group might have its own nickname moving forward.

DC veteran Or Rookie?

The Packers went in a different direction on defense with a new coach and scheme, but if Green Bay wants to make a statement early in the season, Jeff Hafley will have to “bring it” in as many ways as possible. Or as little as possible.

Blitzing is the best way to attack in several schemes when it comes to stopping specific offensive play calls. But it can also also get you burned. One of the main concepts in having a 4-3 defense is to have the ability to get to the quarterback with just a four-man rush.

If you can throw a few twists in there without blitzing and be successful, defenses can dictate the game. If they can’t? You better have some real cover guys who don’t need help on their side of the field.

The Eagles wanted to improve on defense, so they not only picked up a couple of new players, they basically cleaned out their entire coaching staff.

Vic Fangio has forgotten more football than most coaches, and despite having a subpar career as a head coach, he is as good as anybody who’s ever been in the game at running a defense. Expect to see some creativity from him, to hassle and confuse Love on several occasions.

A special situation

The kicking game has changed in a big way for special team players and coaches. The kickoff itself remains the same, but the distance and strategy will be entirely different for both teams.

Keisean Nixon is an excellent defensive back. But in a different era, he might have become one of the greatest return men of all time. I’m not exactly sure that will happen moving forward, and it has nothing to do with his skill set.

Until teams devise a specific strategy to find a hole and hit high speed on a return, I don’t see many teams ever starting a drive past the 30-yard line on offense anymore. And we will quickly find out whether or not the Packers made the right decision in their actual kicker when it comes to FGs and XPs.

Play to win the game

As Herm Edwards famously stated, there really is no other reason not to “Play to win the game!” At least until your team is eliminated from the playoffs. The Packers had the youngest roster in the NFL in 2023, which showed in last season’s first half.

But this group went on a late run to the playoffs, then went on the road where they soundly beat Dallas in the first round of the postseason. Jerry Jones brought in Mike McCarthy because he had a knack for beating the Cowboys. Apparently, this group of Packers can do the same thing, as they proved last season.

Last year‘s squad was within a field goal and ½ quarter of fundamental football away from going to the NFC championship game.

Tonight, Green Bay will be tested by one of roughly five other teams projected to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, so even though it’s just one game, it could be an indicator if this team will bring home another Lombardi trophy to TitleTown.

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