Packers Jaire Alexander Inactive; meaning more snaps for Keisean Nixon
By Paul Bretl
Jaire Alexander is inactive for the Green Bay Packers Week 4 matchup with New England. Given that cornerback Kiondre Thomas was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday, Alexander’s absence shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
This means that Keisean Nixon will once again be called upon to handle the slot duties this week for the Packers.
In addition to contributing on special teams, Nixon played 57 defensive snaps in Tampa Bay last week, where for the most part, he held his own. With Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas on the boundary, Nixon was predictably picked on by Tom Brady, who threw his direction nine times. Nixon allowed eight completions but did a good job of limiting the Bucs’ pass catchers to just 10.1 yards per catch, which was the 10th lowest average among the 30 cornerbacks who were targeted at least six times last week, according to PFF ($$).
Any success that the Patriots are going to have on offense today begins and ends with the run game. With that said, when they are passing, I imagine that Nixon will be heavily targeted once again.
With Bill Belichick at the helm, he is always going to try to take away what the opponent does well offensively while exploiting any opportunistic areas within the opponent’s defense. This isn’t a knock on Nixon either, but if the opposing quarterback has the option of throwing at Douglas, Stokes, or Nixon, the choice is clear, as Brady proved a week ago.
Between the Patriots’ reliance on the run game, coupled with how frequently they utilize 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs, and 2 WRs), Nixon may also not get as much playing time this week either, with the Packers sticking with their heavier base 3-4 personnel to matchup with New England.
The Patriots’ top slot target Jakobi Meyers, who has caught 13 of 19 passes this season for 150 yards, has already been ruled out. Tight end Hunter Henry has the second most slot snaps, although those coverage responsibilities will likely fall on De’Vondre Campbell or Quay Walker, especially when in their base defense. Meanwhile, Lil’ Jordan Humphrey is third on the Patriots in snaps inside. Humphrey has just two targets this season.
In addition to Alexander being out, Caleb Jones was ruled out on Friday and placed on the NFI list. Meanwhile, Yosh Nijman is active.