3 Big Things from Green Bay Packers Chaotic Win in Baltimore

Dec 19, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (83)] divers for a touchdown during the second half HG at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (83)] divers for a touchdown during the second half HG at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Green Bay Packers
Oct 3, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark (97) celebrates with the football after recovering a fumble during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

The Green Bay Packers really missed Kenny Clark

This goes without saying, but goodness, did this defense miss having Kenny Clark in the middle. He is the key cog that allows this unit to play at a high level.

Without Clark, there was little to no push from the interior defensive front. On the ground, the Baltimore running backs totaled 70 yards on just 13 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per rush.

And while Tyler Huntley is not an easy quarterback to pressure given his elusiveness, Green Bay struggled to do that with any regularity. According to ESPN, the Green Bay Packer were able to record just one sack and only two quarterback hits.

With Clark in the middle, he of course can be a one-man wrecking crew on his own with 54 pressures, the third-most among interior defensive linemen, but his presence benefits everyone else along the defensive front, as well as the linebackers.

"“He’s a dominant player,” coach Matt LaFleur said via SI. “He comes to work every day, he’s a pro and he works hard. Kenny’s been consistent all year long and I think he’s probably a little underrated, in my opinion, but we’re certainly fortunate to have a player of that caliber on our football team.”"

On the next slide, we will dive into the Green Bay Packers’ defensive performance, and some of the issues they faced, including Tyler Huntley’s mobility and the Raven run game, both of which would have been mitigated had Clark been available.