Green Bay Packers: 4 Matchups to Watch in Week 12
By Kenny Jilek
Jaire Alexander vs. Allen Robinson
It’s time once again to sit back, relax, and watch Jaire Alexander shut down one of the best receivers in the league. For years, Allen Robinson has been making bad quarterbacks look like they might be competent by getting open, making contested grabs, and catching passes that have no business being caught. He’s having another stellar season, as he has 755 yards receiving even with the Bears QB debacle.
Alexander is doing his best to make a bad defense look great in a similar way Robinson makes quarterbacks look good. His 86.9 Pro Football Focus grade is one of the best in the league, and he’s passed every test thrown his way with flying colors. He’s faced some of the league’s best this season, like Adam Thielen, Calvin Ridley, Mike Evans, D.J. Chark, and Will Fuller, and none of them have had success.
If Alexander shuts down Robinson, the Bears really don’t have anywhere else to go. Remember those 755 receiving yards? That’s more than double anyone else on the team. Darnell Mooney and Anthony Miller are nice pieces, and they’ve contributed this year, but if the defense can focus on them and let Jaire handle his business, they shouldn’t be a big threat either. And I refuse to have any fear of Jimmy Graham having a big game.
Josh Jackson and Kevin King are both questionable, but the Green Bay Packers defense still has their ace on the outside to guard Robinson. Maybe we’ll get an errant pass from Trubisky, and Alexander can finally get his second interception of the season.