Green Bay Packers v. Bears 12 Quick Observations: “I Still Own You”
By Paul Bretl
Kenneth Duane Clark Jr.
Goodness, what else is there to say about Kenny Clark’s performance to start the season? While he’s certainly been one of the more dominant interior players over the last few seasons, typically, he’s been at his best once we hit the month of December. But this season, Clark came out of the gates absolutely swinging.
By PFF’s metrics, Clark entered Sunday’s contest with 16 pressures, the 12th most among interior defensive linemen. His 17 tackles ranked fourth, as did his 14 stops–or plays that result in a “loss” for the offense. Against the Bears, he dominated most of the game but took over on Chicago’s final possession, logging two sacks. He also finished with two tackles for loss.
Field goal unit
One of my articles from this past week was on the major problem that we’ve seen with the field goal unit allowing pressure from the right side. For a close look at what’s been going on, you can click here to read more.
In short, teams are loading up the right side and have nearly blocked several kicks, and the pressure may have also contributed to Mason Crosby’s poor performance in Cincinnati.
However, the Bears were trying to apply that overload pressure to the left side of the Green Bay Packers’ field goal unit, which in part may have been due to Green Bay being on the right hash. But regardless, Chicago wasn’t able to pressure Crosby the way that San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati did.
Now the big question is, has the problem actually been fixed, or was the result more so due to the circumstances?
The Green Bay Packers won in the trenches
This was a game featuring two teams that have quarterbacks who have really struggled this season when under pressure, and two teams that should lean on the run game. As a result, this game was likely going to come down to whichever team won in the trenches.
As I mentioned above, it was a rough first quarter for the Green Bay Packers, but once they settled into their offense with more run opportunities, quick passes, and more motion, the offensive line settled in as well, giving Rodgers the time he needed for the most part. The Green Bay running backs averaged 5.6 yards per rush.
On the other side of the ball, the Packers did a nice job of pressuring Fields consistently and tallied four sacks. Although the Chicago run game averaged 5.4 yards per carry, their rushing attack didn’t take this game over by any means either, in part due to the Packer offense giving their defense a lead to play with.