Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots: Week 1 Preseason Preview
By Erik Lambert
Sep 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Questions
Packers: Is there enough depth at linebacker?
Linebacker was a really sore area for the Green Bay defense last season and a primary culprit in their porous run defense. It got so bad at one point that they decided to move star pass rusher Clay Matthews inside. Since then they’ve done little adding to the unit, hoping that the young players they already have will step up and that 35-year old aging star Julius Peppers has another good year in him. This game will be the first measuring stick.
Patriots: How quickly can Jimmy Garoppolo progress?
One of two things will happen. Either Tom Brady will be suspended the full four games or he’ll be suspended fewer due to a settlement. Either way it’s highly likely he misses at least one week of football. That mean backup Jimmy Garoppolo has to be ready to play. Signs out of camp are encouraging for the second-year man from Eastern Illinois, but they won’t know where he really is until they see him under live bullets. The Packers defenses represents a great first test.
Next: The Bubble