After facing the run-heavy Patriots in Week 4, the Green Bay Packers’ run defense will be tested again in London as they face Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants.
Like New England, the Giants have some questions at quarterback. Daniel Jones is dealing with an ankle injury while backup Tyrod Taylor is in concussion protocol, and the statuses for each player on Sunday are unknown. If neither can go, the only other quarterback on the roster is Davis Webb, who is currently on the practice squad.
Whether it’s Jones, Taylor, or Webb under center, you can expect the Giants to lean on their run game–something they’ve done all season long. As a team, the Giants are averaging 33.5 rush attempts per game this season, which is the fourth most in the NFL, and naturally, the majority of those touches have gone to Barkley.
Through four games, Barkley is averaging 5.5 yards per carry on 84 attempts, and he’s been very difficult to get down. Among all running backs, Barkley’s 4.07 average yards after contact ranks sixth in the NFL, and his 16 missed tackles forced are tied for fifth. Barkley has also ripped off 12 runs of 10-plus yards, good for the second-most this season, according to PFF ($$).
In addition to Barkley being the Giants’ playmaker, running the ball successfully allows New York to control the game. By winning the time of possession battle — something the Patriots did in the first half against the Packers — it keeps Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines, limits the effectiveness of the pass-rush, and can wear out the Green Bay defense in the process.
The Packers’ run defense, meanwhile, has been suspect this season, allowing 5.0 yards per rush as a team.
Recently when Matt LaFleur spoke with reporters, he mentioned that he wanted to see the defense play more physical while also coming out of their cover-2 shell with an extra defender in the box when they expect the opponent to run the ball.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry has at times seemed unwilling to deviate from that two-high look, which is designed to take away the pass first and can leave the defense susceptible against the run. This was quite evident against New England.
Despite the Patriots beginning the game with their backup quarterback and finishing with a third-string rookie while also playing with a sixth offensive lineman and 12 personnel on a number of snaps, the Packers continued to play with light boxes, which resulted in New England averaging 5.1 yards per rush and totaling 167 yards on the ground.
In addition to Barry being more flexible as a play-caller, the Packers defenders have to play better as well. From technique to run fits, shedding blocks, setting the edge and making tackles, all are areas that have given the Packers’ front-seven issues this season, especially on Sunday against New England.
If not, or if Green Bay continues to play with lightboxes, Barkley could be in store for another big day, something that could take place even if the Packers make the proper adjustments and play better–he’s just that good.
Oftentimes it feels like this Packers defense lets things come to them, even though they have the personnel from front to back to dictate what the offense does. Following LaFleur’s comments, will we see a more aggressive unit against the run-heavy Giants, who may also be without their starting quarterback?
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October 05, 2022 at 06:09PM
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Packers defense prepares for Saquon Barkley and run heavy Giants - Dairyland Express
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