The Green Bay Packers defense has been a phenomenal surprise to many as we approach the second half of the regular season. Safety Evan Williams has come into his own, Jaire Alexander has continued to be a nightmare matchup for opposing receivers, and a flaming hot start from the defensive player of the month, Xavier McKinney, has been the cherry on top. Yet, in dealing with the many injuries the defense has gone through, one Packers linebacker, in particular, will need to step up big time in slowing down quarterback Jared Goff and a polished Detroit Lions offense.
Packers Linebacker Duo Essential In Taming Detroit Lions Offense in Week 9
Ferocious Lions Offense
At the halfway point of the year, the Lions have been the team to beat as an offense. Detroit averages a mind-boggling 33.4 points per game, outscoring the next-best offense by more than a field goal. Through three of their last four games, the Lions have reached well beyond the 40-point mark. You can count on Detroit to give you a four-touchdown game on average. Despite having the fourth fewest pass attempts per game, Jared Goff is among the top 10 for passing yards per game, averaging league-bests of 8.9 yards per pass attempt and a 74.1% completion percentage.
While the passing game is more than efficient, the two-headed juggernaut of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery is also what has allowed this passing game to flourish. Strictly based on numbers, the Lions offense would never see a third down if they ran the ball every snap.
With such a well-rounded offense to compete against, what options does Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley have? The short answer is less than he would like.
Injuries Against Jacksonville
While the defense of Green Bay has been a major part of the reason the team sits pretty in the NFC standings, the current injury report is a concern. Williams and Alexander missed practice this week after getting banged up against Jacksonville, and the secondary will be missing their most important pieces to stop Amon-Ra St. Brown and company this week.
The defense clearly struggled after William’s exited, as the Jaguars offense found a spark late in the game and exploited the hole Williams had closed. With Javon Bullard and Corey Ballentine set to take on larger roles, the Lions are sure to continue their dominance offensively unless Hafley utilizes the unwavering talent in the Packers linebackers corps. If Green Bay is not healthy on the defensive side of the ball, they will need to count on a particular Packers linebacking duo.
Packers Linebacker Duo
The Packers linebackers are looking ready to go against Detroit and will undoubtedly make some noise in the pass rush and pass coverage. With Quay Walker healthy and back from concussion protocol and Defensive Player of the Week Edgerrin Cooper at Hafley’s disposal, both players strengths can be utilized to their full capacity.
Against Jacksonville, Cooper contributed massively in the fourth quarter, recording a strip sack on Trevor Lawrence and running down Christian Kirk to break up a pass and force fourth down. Cooper’s elite skill set allows for him to be extremely dangerous in pass coverage, but also put pressure on Goff as a pass rusher. If Cooper is able to play at the pace he showcased in Week 8, it will not be a cake walk for the Lions pass game.
Before Walker’s concussion, he found himself as the lead guy for this Packers linebacking group. With Cooper emerging as a pure, all-around athlete, Walker will be able to convey his strength as a powerful pass rusher while Cooper handles coverage.
In the case that Love and Josh Jacobs are unable to suit up for Sunday’s match, Cooper and Walker will need to work together as a unit to help keep the game within reach for Malik Willis and hold the Lions to fewer opportunities than they are accustomed to. If Hafley is able to find a way to exert the strengths of both of these Packers linebackers for the entirety of the game, Green Bay will find a way to take over the NFC North.
Main Image: Morgan Tencza – USA Today Sports
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