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Green Bay Packers: Five ways to beat Arizona on Saturday

By Matt George

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws the ball over Washington Redskins inside linebacker Mason Foster (54) during the first half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws the ball over Washington Redskins inside linebacker Mason Foster (54) during the first half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clay Matthews and Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry sack Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports. /

If I were to quickly ask you who leads the team in sacks, it might take you a few guesses to come up with the right answer – Julius Peppers.

This team doesn’t have a J.J. Watt or Khalil Mack that is the sole pass rusher on the defense.

Instead, it has a number of  gifted pass rushers that can get home and change the outcome of a game.

Years ago, Clay Matthews was that person, but defensive coordinator Dom Capers moved him inside and now uses him in a number of different packages to surprise the opposing team.

It works, so you can’t necessarily disagree with it.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Now Capers relies on Datone Jones, Nick Perry, Mike Neal, Julius Peppers, Mike Daniels and Clay Matthews to attack the quarterback.

Last week the magic of Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins quickly vanished due to the constant pressure from the Packers front seven.

Perry and Neal both finished with two sacks each and Clay Matthews had 1.5 sacks. The Packers must have the same if not better performance against the red hot Carson Palmer and his fast scoring offense.

If the Packers make Palmer feel uncomfortable in the pocket, Palmer could force a lot of throws resulting in momentum-swinging interceptions.

Next: Offensive Line

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