5 Big Questions Green Bay Packers Face against New England
By Paul Bretl
In what capacity will the Green Bay Packers utilize David Bakhtiari?
Last week, we saw the Green Bay Packers take an unconventional approach by rotating David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman between series in an effort to ease Bakhtiari back into things.
Overall, this strategy worked well. Against a very good Buccaneers pass rush, Bakhtiari and Nijman were credited with allowing only one pressure each by PFF ($$). But most importantly, Bakhtiari’s knee responded well. In fact, he isn’t even listed with an injury designation this week.
So with Bakhtiari off the injury report, does that mean he will be a full go? Or will the Packers continue to ease him in? As you’d expect, Matt LaFleur and Adam Stenavich didn’t provide any insights.
The Packers tackles are once again going to be tasked with a tough assignment, going against Matthew Judon and Deatrich Wise, both of whom account for seven of the Patriots’ 10 sacks, along with both ranking in the top-28 among all edge rushers in pressures generated.
If Bakhtiari does start the full game, I know many want to see Nijman at right tackle with Elgton Jenkins then at right guard, but my guess is that continue to see the same configuration on the right side that we saw a week ago.
The transition from one side of the offensive line to the other isn’t an easy one to make, and if Green Bay feels that’s the best approach, I would guess that they would want Nijman to take some reps at right tackle in practice before throwing him into the mix.