Green Bay Packers v. Bears: 3 Week 6 X-Factors
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers IDL Dean Lowry
As important as it is for the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line to give Rodgers time and to find success on the ground, it’s the same story on the other side of the ball for the Chicago Bears with Justin Fields. If the Packers’ defense can win in the trenches, chances are it is going to be tough sledding for this Bears’ offense when it comes to moving the football.
While, as always, it will take a group effort, my X-Factor is Dean Lowry. Lowry isn’t one who is going to fill up the stat sheet typically, although he did lead the team in pressures this past week, rather, he does the dirty work and creates for others.
Dating back to the San Francisco game, he has done a very good job of getting consistent push on both running and passing plays. This has a positive trickle-down effect on the rest of the defense, including Kenny Clark, who has more freedom to move around and more one-on-one opportunities, along with the linebackers, who are kept clean, and the edge rushers as well.
If Lowry can once again generate a steady push, occupy blockers, and eat up space just as he did against the Bengals, his teammates will benefit, and it will go a long ways in helping the Green Bay Packers defense control the trenches.