Dolphins speed at receiver can create tough matchups for Packers
By Paul Bretl
Naturally, we all want to see the Green Bay Packers Jaire Alexander shadowing Miami’s Tyreek Hill on Sunday. There’s the obvious reason which is that it’s a terrific matchup. But also in terms of slowing the big-play wide receiver down, Alexander is the Packers’ best bet.
However, I don’t anticipate that being the case–or at least not for the bulk of the game.
The Dolphins move Hill around frequently, with about 54% of his snaps coming from the boundary and the other 43% coming from the slot. Hopefully, when Hill is lined up out wide — and regardless of which side he’s on — we do see Alexander across from him. But when he moves to the slot, I’m guessing that Alexander doesn’t go with him in that case.
For one, Joe Barry has rarely utilized Alexander inside this season. There were a few instances earlier in the season where we saw Alexander following Garrett Wilson and Terry McLaurin, but that didn’t last. Overall, Alexander has just 20 slot snaps this season, according to PFF ($$).
There is also the question of who would take over on the boundary for Green Bay when Alexander is inside. The only options include Keisean Nixon, who has rarely spent time out there during his career, Corey Ballentine, who is also short on experience, and Shemar Jean-Charles, who has been inactive in recent weeks.
So when Hill does line up in the slot, he may very well end up being Nixon’s responsibility. Additionally, to help out Nixon, Green Bay will be playing a heavy dose of cover-2 in order to take away the big passing play along with bracketing Hill as they did last season in Kansas City. For what it’s worth, in that game, the Packers — without Jaire Alexander, by the way — held Hill to just 37 receiving yards.
In addition to Hill, the Dolphins also have the speedy Jaylen Waddle, who will pose a matchup problem for Rasul Douglas with his quickness, making Alexander a prime candidate to cover him when on the boundary, which is where Waddle takes the majority of his snaps from.
This Packers’ defense faces the tall task on Sunday of having to slow one of the most explosive passing offenses in the NFL. As already mentioned, expect a lot of cover-2 and quarters coverages to limit downfield attempts, but too much space underneath will lead to quick and easy completions with YAC opportunities — two things the Dolphins love to take advantage of — and that puts a premium on tackling. This Miami offense relies quite a bit on the quick passing game, while Hill and Jaylen Waddle have been among the best at picking up YAC at the receiver position.
On the flip side, if Green Bay tries to be a bit more aggressive and take away the underneath throws, it could leave them susceptible over the top. So you can see the potential dilemma that Barry faces. With that said, based on what we’ve seen from the Packers this season, I expect them to protect against the big downfield play, trying to force the Dolphins to put together long-scoring drives. Like it or not, it’s just what they do.
Along with how Green Bay chooses to defend Hill and Waddle, generating pressure on Tua Tagovailo will also be a must for them to give the secondary some help–although that’s no easy task against the Dolphins’ quick passing game and an offensive line that has held up well in pass protection.
Hopefully, when Hill does make his way outside — which will be a fair amount — we do see Alexander across from him. But on the numerous snaps where he’s in the slot, it’s going to take Nixon and a group effort to help contain him.