3 Key Matchups to watch in Green Bay Packers v. Giants
By Paul Bretl
Dexter Lawrence v. Green Bay Packers IOL
New York Giants’ nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has been playing at a very high level this season. Through four games, he has 15 pressures, which is tied for the second-most among interior defenders, and has Lawrence on pace for a career season. Lawrence also ranks ninth overall in PFF’s pass rush productivity metric.
The New York interior line as a whole has also been very good about slowing the run between the tackles—although running backs have had success outside the tackle box, and that is where Aaron Jones has done most of his damage this season.
In pass protection this season, the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line has the ninth-highest pressure rate allowed, but they do appear to be trending in the right direction as they get more healthy. While double-teaming Lawrence may be the best way to handle him, with how often the Giants blitz, there may be a number of snaps on Sunday where Lawrence is matched up one-on-one with an interior lineman.
When under pressure this season, Rodgers is completing 40% of his passes at 5.3 yards per attempt with an interception per PFF ($$). Obviously all quarterbacks are worse when under pressure, but Rodgers has still struggled, by comparison, ranking in the bottom third of the league in completion percentage and yards per attempt.
The best way to wreck any play, whether against the run or the pass, is with pressure from up the middle, and Lawrence has done that often this season.