5 Things to know about Green Bay Packers vs. Bills

Following a three game losing streak, the Green Bay Packers schedule is only going to get more difficult moving forward, beginning with a trip to Buffalo to take on arguably the best team in the NFL.

Without question, this will be Green Bay’s toughest test of the season, and while the Packers season seems to be at the tipping point, Aaron Rodgers believes that the timing of this matchup could be a good thing for his team.

"“In fact, this might be the best thing for us. This week, nobody’s going to give us a chance, going to Buffalo on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ with a chance to get exposed … Shoot, this might be the best thing for us,” said Rodgers following the Washington game via Forbes."

To help prepare for Sunday’s game, here are five stats that you need to know about the Packers next opponent, the Buffalo Bills.

Under Pressure

Led by Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Kenny Clark, the Packers have been good at pressuring the quarterback this season, which typically leads to success for the defense. Gary and Smith are both in the top 20 in pressures generated among edge rushers, according to PFF ($$), while Clark ranks fifth among interior defenders.

When it comes to Josh Allen, however, pressure doesn’t necessarily mean success, as he has been one of the most effective quarterbacks when under duress this season. Allen’s 514 passing yards are the third-most when under pressure, and he’s also averaging a whopping 8.9 yards per attempt. For some context, Aaron Rodgers is averaging 6.8 yards when in a clean pocket.

Allen is also mobile and tough to bring down. He is Buffalo’s leading rusher with 257 yards on the ground and has forced 13 missed tackles this season.

Yards after the catch

The Bills are averaging the most passing yards per game in the NFL and one reason why is their ability to pick up yards after the catch. Running back Devin Singletary ranks 13th in total YAC at his position, while Stefon Diggs ranks ninth. Big play Gabriel Davis, who is averaging 27.4 yards per catch, ranks ninth in YAC average.

As a team, the Bills 860 yards after the catch this season is the sixth most.

"“Those guys have done a great job of maximizing YAC with the ball in their hands in space,” said offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey via the Bills team site. “I think it’s been a thing that obviously yes we’ve stressed and we’ll continue to stress because it’s an important facet of the game – to be able to get those hidden yards, whether it’s after the catch, whether it’s knifing north and south for first downs or to gain that extra yard or two.”"

Turnovers

The Green Bay Packers are 30-0 under Matt LaFleur when they win the turnover battle. However, that is something that they haven’t done yet this season. Green Bay has been uncharacteristically sloppy with the football, losing a fumble in six out of seven games this season. The defense also hasn’t been great at generating turnovers, so currently, Green Bay’s minus-four turnover differential ranks 27th.

The Bills, meanwhile, have been very opportunistic with 13 takeaways this season, the second-most in football. As Matt LaFleur says, once you put something on tape, teams are going to try to take advantage, which could mean Buffalo going hard after the football to force a fumble.

If Green Bay is going to have any chance in this game, winning the turnover battle is a must. It will keep Allen on the sidelines and give a struggling offense more opportunities.

The defensive front

We do not know who the Green Bay Packers starting five on the offensive line is going to be, but they will be tested once again. This Bills defensive front has generated the sixth most pressure in the NFL, with four players ranking in the top 30 individually in their respective position groups. Buffalo is also allowing a league low 3.5 yards per rush this season.

The quick passing game may end up being utilized heavily by Green Bay again, and it will be interesting to see if Buffalo takes a similar approach as Washington by rushing only four, so they are able to drop seven into coverage.

Running the ball won’t be easy, but consistency is a must, even if it’s tough sledding–which it probably will be. We’ve seen how quickly things turn negative for the Packers when they become one-dimensional. The run game allows them to chew the clock, the offensive line to be the aggressor, and it can open up the passing game, as well as set up play-action.

Tackling

With the Packers’ inability to connect on the deep ball this season, when the offense has been able to move the ball effectively, it’s often been with shorter routes and picking up YAC–something this offense has been very good at. However, that becomes more challenging against a Bills defense that is very sound at tackling, with the sixth-fewest misses this season.

"“They’re one of the better, if not the best team in the league at reacting and running to the ball, and maintaining leverage and gang tackling,” said LaFleur via Packers Wire. “Very few missed tackles, that’s the one thing that jumps out on tape. And they just play extremely hard, and I always think that’s the starting point for a great defense, and they do all of that.”"

As we saw last week against the Commanders, if the quick game isn’t working, this passing offense doesn’t have anything to hang its hat on.