Packers: Three key players to get win vs. 49ers in Week 6

Three key players for the Green Bay Packers in Week 6.

It has been anything but an easy start to the season for the Packers.

As they return home to face the 49ers, a win is of the upmost importance if they want to continue to contend for the NFC North title.

Let’s look at a few key players that can help Green Bay with this Sunday.

Mason Crosby

While it may seem completely ludicrous that a kicker would be a key to a victory, there is no disputing that Mason Crosby needs a bounce back week.

After a career-low day, missing five kicks, Crosby was shown support by the likes of Aaron Rodgers, who gave his longtime teammate a hug Sunday afternoon.

Had Crosby not been a former Pro-Bowler, it is very likely he would be seeking new employment as many kickers before him have after such a week. What may prove to be helpful in Crosby getting himself back on track is the late field goal he was able to knock through.

That should help alleviate some of the burden Crosby was likely feeling throughout the loss to the the Lions, and that could bode well for the Packers this upcoming week.

Crosby, who has made 11 of his 16 attempts this season, needs to have himself a quality day Sunday at home. With a projected forecast of 47 degrees and a 13 mph wind for Sunday’s game, Crosby could have less-than-ideal kicking conditions.

While the offense has had its fair share of struggles, Mike McCarthy needs to be able to have faith in his kicker if the Packers offense sputters inside field goal range. If Crosby is able to get himself figured out, he could be an important piece to the team picking up their third win of the season.

Aaron Rodgers

This comes as no surprise. As Aaron Rodgers goes, so do the Packers. With him, they have a legitimate claim to being a Super Bowl contender. Without him, it’s very likely the Pack would be riddled in mediocrity.

Though they’ve started the season 2-2-1 and sit second in the division, the offensive production has been less than ideal through five games. The Packers rank just 19th in points-per-game.

For a unit that is led by arguably the best quarterback in football, that simply isn’t good enough. As our own Paul Bretl points out, Rodgers himself ranks 10th in the league in passing, yet to this point it hasn’t led to the team getting off to a hot start.

This week, however, might be exactly what the Packers need to get on a roll. Rodgers and Co. will combat the league’s 29th-ranked defense in points allowed.

San Francisco has also struggled in the turnover department, as Antone Exum accounts for the their only interception, while team the itself has a minus-8 turnover differential.

Rodgers has always been one to remind the media and Packers fans alike to “R-E-L-A-X” even when the season has looked its most bleak. Sunday, Rodgers himself can give the fan base some relaxation by putting together one of his stellar performances at frigid Lambeau Field.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has found himself in the news the past few days, as he has said publicly that he believes this will be his last year in Green Bay.

Clinton-Dix, who is playing out his fifth-year option with the Packers, has long been a quality safety and has even been voted the 100th best player heading into the 2018 season by his peers.

While he has still been voted onto that list by his peers, it is also interesting to note that according to the same list, he laid claim to the 77th spot just one year ago.

Clinton-Dix, to his credit however, has come out and performed well through the first five weeks of the season. He leads the team with three interceptions, which matches his total for all of last season.

It is important that Clinton-Dix keeps up this kind of consistency as the Packers attempt to take hold of their third victory of the season. Facing C.J. Beathard, who has already thrown four interceptions through three games, should allow Clinton-Dix and the rest of the secondary to close the team’s turnover differential, which currently sits at minus-2.

As a veteran in the Packers secondary, it is also important that Clinton-Dix begins to help instil the very concept of consistency within that young unit. While the Packers defense has seen improvement statistically under Mike Pettine’s new defense, they have still lacked consistent play that can help elevate them towards elite company.

A moniker of any upper-echelon defense, is their ability to get off the field on third down. The Packers rank just 15th in that category. While it may be completely unfair to place that kind of burden only atop Clinton-Dix’s shoulders alone, as a captain of the defense, he should take on such a responsibility.

This week, Clinton-Dix and his defensive teammates take on a backup quarterback and an offense that struggles to push the ball downfield. If he can continue his consistent play, get his fourth takeaway of the year, and help his team get off the field of third down, the Packers will have a good shot at victory.