5 Key things to watch for and final thoughts on Packers vs. Falcons
By Paul Bretl
Ahead of the Green Bay Packers Week 2 matchup with the 1-0 Atlanta Falcons, here are five key things to watch for, along with some final thoughts on the game.
Overall, it was a dominant performance from the Packers against the Bears, but they’re in store for a bigger challenge this week. The Green Bay run defense will be tested once again as they face a very run-heavy Falcons team. The Atlanta defense, meanwhile, is aggressive, utilizing a lot of movement, and was quite good at getting after the quarterback in that first game.
"“We are going to have a more difficult challenge in front of us,” said Matt LaFleur earlier in the week. “Just some of the things Atlanta does, they’re a very aggressive defense. “I think they are very good up front and can generate a lot of pressure, and they’re going to challenge you on the perimeter. I think every week is a different challenge in terms of what somebody does or maybe the personnel, or whatever it may be, so it’s just the next challenge.”"
As always, there will be a lot to watch for as the game unfolds, but below are my five most important elements to this game.
Packers run defense vs. Atlanta run game
The Green Bay Packers’ run defense is coming off a good Week 1 performance against Chicago, where they were able to contain Justin Fields, for the most part, and held the Bears’ running backs to just over three yards per rush. This week, they will be tested once again against an Atlanta offense that very much wants to run the ball.
Last week against Carolina, Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson combined for 25 carries and 5.3 yards per rush. Matt LaFleur noted how difficult both can be to tackle, and we saw that against the Panthers, with Allgeier forcing five missed tackles, the second-most in football, and both running backs finishing in the top 15 among all running backs in average yards after contact. It also looks like the Falcons will be getting Cordarrelle Patterson back after he missed the first game with an injury. Patterson averaged 4.8 yards per carry in 2022 and is proven to be difficult to tackle.
"“All three of their backs are really dynamic and all of them can take it to the house,” said run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery. “It’s the scheme that they run. Those guys, they press the line of scrimmage and get you running and they’ll cut it back and get downhill. Whether it’s 7, 25 or 84, all three of those guys can take it to the house. It’s definitely going to be a challenge. So we will have our hands full all day.”"
Before the Bears game, Kenny Clark said that priority No. 1 for the defense was slowing the run game, and I imagine it’s a similar thought process this week. If the Packers can limit the Falcons’ rushing attack, it will put them in predictable passing situations and allow the defensive front to get after an offensive line that struggled in pass protection last week. It will also force Desmond Ridder to not rely only on short and quick passes.
How do the Packers defend Kyle Pitts and Drake London?
In the passing game, the Falcons have two big-play threats in tight end Kyle Pitts, who lines up primarily from the slot or out wide, and wide receiver Drake London. However, neither was utilized very often in the passing game against Carolina. Of Ridder’s 18 pass attempts in Week 1 – the fewest among quarterbacks – eight were at or behind the line of scrimmage, and only four traveled more than 10 yards, according to PFF. This resulted in one target and no receptions for Lond and two receptions on three targets for Pitts–although one completion was for 34 yards.
As was just discussed, the Falcons want to run the ball and will rely heavily on the quick passing game. So, in an effort to take away or at least limit what Atlanta wants to do, shrinking the field by playing closer to the line of scrimmage can make moving the ball on the ground and through the quick game more difficult. However, that potentially leaves Green Bay more susceptible on the back end, especially with players like Pitts and London.
For Joe Barry, it’s about striking a balance. Of course, he doesn’t have to only play with loaded boxes to stop the run, and he doesn’t have to only play off-coverage and sit back in a two-high shell to prevent the big passing play, either. As safeties coach Ryan Downard said on Thursday, it’s going to be important for the secondary that they read their keys and have disciplined eyes to help them determine whether it’s a run or a pass play they have to defend.
Given that we are yet to see Ridder and the Falcons’ offense really try to push the ball downfield, let alone have any consistent success with it, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Packers taking a bit more aggressive approach and trying to take away the run and quick games. They have a very good group of cornerbacks, as we know, so trust them to make plays. And if the Falcons connect on a downfield pass or two, tip your hat and make the necessary adjustments.