5 Big Questions Green Bay Packers Face against New England
By Paul Bretl
Will this be a big day for the big Bob and the Green Bay Packers?
As I wrote recently, the Green Bay Packers have been easing Robert Tonyan back into things as he returns from the ACL injury he suffered last season. For context, Tonyan has played 44% of the offensive snaps this season, down from the 62% he played in 2020 when fully healthy.
Tonyan has been effective as a pass catcher, hauling in 11 of the 13 targets he’s had, but we haven’t seen that same playmaking ability just yet, with him averaging 7.6 yards per catch.
As Aaron Rodgers told reporters, Tonyan still has some confidence to regain in that knee of his.
"“I think Bobby’s getting close to that feeling that he felt a few years ago where he’s dangerous after the catch,” said Rodgers via Packers.com. “He’s got good moves, he can also put his head down, but I just want to see him get even more comfortable putting that foot in the ground and cutting off of it and then making some guys miss after the catch."
With David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins both back, that likely means fewer blocking opportunities for Tonyan and more snaps as a true pass-catcher. This is also a Patriots defense that has been susceptible this season over the middle, particularly against tight ends, allowing the third-most targets per game, the seventh most receptions, and the most touchdowns per game–although they’ve done well at limiting any big plays from the position.
New England safety Kyle Dugger, who has spent much of his snaps this season lined up in the box and is tasked with covering the tight ends is also listed as questionable after missing last week’s game against Baltimore.