Green Bay Packers: 3 players who need Bye the most
The Green Bay Packers are storming into their bye after recapturing momentum with a victory last week. However, these three players need to refocus.
The Green Bay Packers, winners of five of their last six games and eight of their first 10, head into the bye week after regaining momentum against the Carolina Panthers. Having lost their first game since September the week before, Green Bay was looking to get back on track and wipe the sour taste out of their mouth.
That’s exactly what they did, using a goal-line stand to secure a victory over the Panthers and stay at the top of the NFC North. Now, the Packers will recover for a week and then get right back to work.
The Bye week can be a time of self-reflection where coaches and players scout the work they’ve put on film and figure out where they can improve. Despite the strong start, Green Bay has been far from perfect. Yes, they’ve played a lot of good teams, but they have also left a lot of opportunities on the table. These three players, especially, need the bye week.
Blake Martinez
The general population is beginning to catch on to Blake Martinez. Sure, he puts up a bunch of tackles, but most of them aren’t as helpful as you think. He spends the majority of the time in his own backfield, bringing guys down only after they’re a few yards past the line of scrimmage. This is part of the reason the Packers’ run defense has struggled so mightily.
Martinez also struggles to make game-changing plays. He has just eight sacks, two interceptions two forced fumbles and 27 tackles for loss over four seasons and 55 games. Things are unlikely to suddenly change for Martinez, but he does need to figure out how to make more plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. That could make all the difference for Green Bay.
JK Scott
J.K. Scott started the year on fire. He was bombing punts left and right. This was incredibly helpful considering the slump the Packers’ offense started in. However, Green Bay has picked it up since then, but Scott is now the one struggling.
His inconsistency was highlighted against the Carolina Panthers when he routinely punted the ball 37 yards. It appears the cold affects him, but he must figure out how to fight through it. If the Packers have their way, he’ll be punting in the cold a lot more this season and for years to come.
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David Bakhtiari
Coming into the season, David Bakhtiari was one of the premier left tackles in the game. And, at just 28-years-old, he’s in the middle of prime and only getting better. Unfortunately, he’s taken a big step backward this season. Not only is he getting beat far more often, but he’s also been the subject of a number of false starts and holding calls.
Don’t get me wrong, Bakhtiari has still had his moments where he dominates. But he’s been more likely to get beat off the line than ever before. He still has the same skills and abilities he’s always had, maybe he just needs a week to get his mind and body right.