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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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Contain David Johnson

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Green Bay Packers defensive end B.J. Raji (90) reacts after suffering an injury while assisting safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix with a tackle of Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd hurt the Packers last outing for six catches and 111 receiving yards, but it was really the play of running back David Johnson that put the game out of reach.

Johnson is a hard-nosed, shifty back that can beat you numerous ways. He can line up behind the quarterback and run it down your throat, or he can be a matchup nightmare for linebackers and beat you in the passing game.

For such a big back, he has  nice hands.

In the first meeting, Johnson had three catches for 88 yards and there was no answer for him.

Sep 28, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan (47) during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 38-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

I really hope Capers doesn’t go with Jake Ryan or Joe Thomas covering Johnson, which won’t work.

He will need a defensive player that is more athletic. I wouldn’t be surprised if that duty goes to Micah Hyde.

Hyde didn’t have the greatest game against tight end Jordan Reed last week, in fact he was beat a few times including one for a touchdown, before making big plays down the stretch.

Capers may also want to go with safety Morgan Burnett who can be put in the box on running downs and stay with Johnson on passing downs.

Whomever Capers uses, the Packer assigned to Johnson must be disciplined or he will be in for a long day.

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