How will the Packers defend CeeDee Lamb from the slot?

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will present an interesting and challenging matchup problem for the Green Bay Packers.

This is true because of the simple fact that Lamb is a very good receiver. This season, he has hauled in 556 yards at 13.2 yards per catch with three touchdowns. He has also spent 60% of his snaps this season from the slot, according to PFF ($$), where he ranks eighth in catches and sixth in yards–this is where the other part of the problem lies.

If Eric Stokes were available, the Packers would have a lot more flexibility when it comes to defending Lamb. In this scenario, Joe Barry could have chosen to have Jaire Alexander follow around Lamb, which would include slot duties, with Rasul Douglas then lined up outside with Stokes.

However, with Stokes on IR, if Alexander is going to line up in the slot, that means either Keisean Nixon or Corey Ballentine, who was just signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad, would have to line up on the boundary. Neither has much experience outside, as both have been primarily utilized as slot cornerbacks in the NFL. Ballentine, meanwhile, hasn’t taken a defensive snap since 2020.

So perhaps this isn’t the best alternative.

Another option includes Nixon staying inside, where he would match up with Lamb. When called upon this season, Nixon has been targeted heavily and given up a number of completions, but he has also limited any big plays. Lamb, however, would be his toughest test of the season and one that would cause issues.

If Green Bay isn’t comfortable with Nixon taking these snaps, Darnell Savage is another candidate for slot duties now that the safety depth has been bolstered with the addition of Johnathan Abram. Savage is hopefully a much better slot corner than safety, but again, this move comes with its unknowns, given that this hasn’t been his primary position and Lamb’s ability as a receiver.

Unless Alexander is going to spend much of the game on Lamb, this is another matchup that favors Dallas. As already mentioned, this, however, would create potential issues on the boundary, having to rely on either Nixon or Ballentine. There really is no perfect solution.

If I had to guess, we will see a similar approach from Barry that we’ve seen for much of the year with Alexander on the boundary, and regardless of who has the slot duties, a lot of zone coverage.

With that said, this Cowboys offense very much wants to run the football. Tony Pollard has been a playmaker with the ball in his hands, and this is a bit of a shaky offensive line unit in pass protection. However, when they do pass, look for Lamb in the slot to give the Packers some fits.