3 Key Matchups to Watch between Green Bay Packers and Patriots
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers run defense vs. Patriots run game
Whether it’s Mac Jones or Brian Hoyer under center, expect the New England Patriots to give the Packers a heavy dose of their running backs, Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris, who are averaging 4.9 yards per rush this season.
For starters, with Jones at the helm, the Patriots have struggled to move the ball through the air consistently. Jones’ five interceptions are the most in football, and his passer rating is only ahead of Justin Fields and Trey Lance.
In my Behind Enemy Lines series, Fran Brown of Musket Fire provided us with some insight into this Patriots’ passing attack:
"“Jones has been staring down receivers, and his decision-making has been subpar. It hasn’t helped that this group of receivers have struggled to create separation. I don’t expect much change with Brian Hoyer at the helm.”"
Regardless of it being a hobbled Mac Jones or the immobile Brian Hoyer at quarterback, the Packers pass-rush, which ranks ninth in pressure rate this season, should have the opportunity to get after either quarterback. Jones has ranked among the worst when under pressure and blitzed by the opposing defense. Perhaps Hoyer will handle that better, but if that is, in fact, the case, I can’t imagine it would be a major improvement.
These are all reasons why you can expect the Patriots to lean on the run game–not to mention that if successful, it will also keep Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines.
The Green Bay Packers’ run defense struggled in the first two games but was much more sound against Tampa Bay, holding Leonard Fournette to under three yards per carry and forcing Tom Brady to throw the ball 40-plus times while being very shorthanded at receiver.
Under Jones, the Patriots have been very willing to push the ball downfield, but even so, I hope we see the Packers trust their cornerbacks against these New England receivers, send some blitzes as they did a week ago, and really try to take away the Patriots run game.
But admittedly, that does go against the grain for Joe Barry, whose defense is predicated on taking away the big passing play. So more realistically, let’s see the Packers swarming to the football and regularly playing bigger with their 3-4 base defense.