Green Bay Packers: 3 Matchups to Watch Against the Browns
By Matt LeVene
The surging Green Bay Packers welcome the Cleveland Browns into Lambeau Field for what promises to be an enticing Christmas Day matchup. The Packers stand alone atop the NFC and control their own destiny to secure the coveted first-round bye for the playoffs. On the opposing sideline, the Browns enter this contest desperate for a win to stay in playoff contention.
Following a week where their team was depleted from injuries and stints on the reserve/COVID list, the Browns sit 7-7 on the season and are in desperate need of a victory. This makes Kevin Stefanski’s team all the more dangerous for the Packers. With the Browns clinging onto their playoff hopes, look for them to pull out all the tricks in the book to attempt to gain an advantage.
This showdown in the Frozen Tundra features some of the biggest names in the sport and will make for a few intriguing individual matchups. In order for the Green Bay Packers to come out successful, they will have to “win” these matchups.
Green Bay Packers Front Seven vs. Browns Running Game
Cleveland’s route to winning this game is getting Nick Chubb going early and often. Chubb, one of the league’s best running backs, is not only the best playmaker on the Browns roster but also the key to getting the rest of their offense going. Essentially, if you stop Chubb, you stop the Browns.
So far into the season, Joe Barry’s defense has been above average against the run, largely due to the emergence of De’Vondre Cambell. Fresh off being snubbed from the Pro Bowl, Cambell will be highly motivated to put his talent on full display in this matchup. He will be integral in the Packers’ attempt to stop Chubb.
Another important piece of the Green Bay rush defense is the man in the middle, Kenny Clark. The stud defensive tackle will be back in the fold this week after missing the last game with a COVID issue. Look for big 97 to be the Browns’ worst nightmare in this one.
Myles Garret vs. Yosh Nijman
Myles Garrett has quickly become one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL and will definitely be a focal point for the Green Bay offensive line. Although injured, the star pass rusher expects to play. Without both David Bahktihari and Billy Turner yet again, the rag-tag offensive line group for the Green and Gold will be tested. The good news for Packer fans is that the unproven guys on the line have exceeded all expectations this season.
Yosh Nijman is perhaps the biggest surprise so far. Due to a series of injuries, Nijman was thrown into the fire at left tackle and has been tasked with protecting the blind side of Aaron Rodgers. Everyone recognized Nijman had the potential to develop into a starting-caliber tackle, but nobody expected him to do as well as he has this season. He has become an anchor on the offensive line, and I expect him to handle Garrett well with some help. If he doesn’t, Rodgers could be on the ground a lot.
Aaron Rodgers told Yosh Nijman, “I almost forgot about that side of the line.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 29, 2021
“And that’s a huge compliment.”
The Packers’ third-string LT has been key this year with injuries to Bakhtiari and Jenkins.
Packers Secondary vs. Baker Mayfield
The Green Bay secondary, similarly to the offensive line, has dealt with more than its fair share of injuries. The next-man-up mentality has worked wonders for them, and the unit has transformed into one of the best in the NFL. In this game, they will have to get the best of former Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield.
In his young NFL career, the Browns quarterback has had plenty of ups and downs, but with both a playoff appearance and contract extension on the line, the time is now for him to get hot. The Green Bay Packers defensive backs need to ensure Mayfield has a long day at the office this Christmas.
Winning the turnover battle will be key to coming out victorious, and the easiest way to do that is to intercept Mayfield. With Chubb being among the league’s best running backs, the main goal for the Green Bay defense will be to limit him and force Baker to beat them, hopefully giving Rasual Douglas, Eric Stokes, Darnell Savage, and Adrian Amos plenty of opportunities to make plays. If they can limit the Brown receivers and capitalize on Mayfield’s mistakes, the Packers will end their Christmas victorious.
If they “lose” these matchups, it will take a Christmas miracle to leave with a W.