Packers need to be more physical and flexible against run
By Paul Bretl
Even before Brian Hoyer left Sunday’s game, everyone knew that New England’s game plan was going to be centered around the run game. However, the Green Bay Packers still struggled to slow them down, even with a limited third-string quarterback under center for much of the game.
The Patriots would rush for 167 yards as a team at 5.1 yards per carry. Outside of the defense’s performance against Tampa Bay, slowing the opponent’s run game this season has been an issue for the Packers.
When Matt LaFleur was asked about what needed to change, he mentioned that the Packers needed to be more physical, along with coming out of their 2-high shell at times as well.
"“Quite frankly, I think we got to play more physical,” said LaFleur on Monday. “We can’t just sit back and catch, and this is something I’ve talked to Joe (Barry) about. As much as possible, we’d like to hold the 2-shell, but we might have to come out of it, especially when we are fairly confident that a team is going to run the ball.”"
Joe Barry was brought in as the Packers’ defensive coordinator because of his connection to Brandon Staley, who implements a version of Vic Fangio’s defense, and his ability to implement that 2-high look.
The M.O. of this defense is to take away the big passing play, which means having two-deep safeties, playing with lighter boxes, and defending the run takes a bit of a back seat to slowing the pass. It’s not only the Green Bay Packers who play this style of defense but a number of other teams across the NFL do as well.
For good reason, this style of defense has become quite popular across the NFL, but it’s not the be-all-end-all either, and there will be times when adjustments have to be made. If there is a knock on Barry to start the season, it’s his unwillingness to deviate from his defensive scheme.
In Week 1 against Minnesota, the Vikings and Just Jefferson exposed Green Bay’s zone-heavy look. Then against New England, the Patriots simply utilized a lot of 12 personnel and utilized a sixth offensive lineman to create mismatches in the run game, while the Packers, for the most part, stuck with their traditional light boxes.
This is what LaFleur was referencing when he said that there should be times when the Packers’ defense comes out of their cover-2 shell.
Now, with that said, while it’s easy to point out areas for Joe Barry to improve, he has blitzed more these past two games, and we saw the Packers play less nickel against New England as they utilized their heavier base 3-4 defense more frequently than they had in previous weeks.
But in addition to Barry making adjustments, the defensive players have to be better as well. Following the game, Rashan Gary mentioned that there was a breakdown in technique and responsibilities at times along the defensive front. The edge rushers, specifically Preston Smith, were overly aggressive and didn’t set strong edges along with struggling to get off blocks, which led to some decent gains outside the tackle box. Meanwhile, De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker have to be better at their run fits, shedding blocks, and making tackles.
As the game unfolded, there were certainly frustrating moments with this defense, but LaFleur would also say on Monday that this group played “pretty solid.” Green Bay held New England to just 271 yards, and they were 3-11 on third downs. In nine of the Patriots’ 11 drives, there were seven punts, a field goal, and a turnover.
This week in London, the Packers’ run defense is going to be tested again as they go up against Saquon Barkley, who is averaging 5.5 yards per rush this season on 84 attempts per PFF ($$). And like this past game, Green Bay may be facing a third-string quarterback with Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor both dealing with injuries.
So given these circumstances, will we see less cover-2 from Barry at times, and will slowing the run game, especially in a game where, in all likelihood, that is what the Giants offense is going to lean on, take priority?