The Green Bay Packers’ run defense, which has had mixed results to start the season, is going to have to play a key role on Thursday in slowing down the Detroit Lions offense.
This is a Lions offense that wants to run the ball. They are currently averaging nearly 31 rush attempts per game, which is the seventh-most in football. Leading the way at running back for Detroit is rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, who has been difficult to bring down and has shown the ability to generate some explosive runs.
Buy Packers TicketsGibbs is currently averaging 4.5 yards per carry and ranks 14th out of all running backs in average yards after contact, and his five runs of 10-plus yards are the fifth-most through three games.
“Explosive, man,” said Kenny Clark about Gibbs. “He can get in and out of cuts. He can do a little bit of everything. Receive out of the backfield. Run in between the tackles or outside of them. They can get him in space in the screen game. He’s a guy that we got to account for, for sure.”
The Lions also have former Bear David Montgomery, who ranks ninth in the NFL in missed tackles forced with 11, despite only having 37 rush attempts this season.
Detroit uses the run game to then set up play-action, where Jared Goff has been extremely efficient this season. Goff has completed 74 percent of his 23 pass attempts while averaging 11.9 yards per pass with two touchdowns. This is when the Lions try to push the ball downfield.
For the Green Bay secondary, in particular, it’s going to be important that they stay locked in on the run-pass game and read their keys properly to diagnose what’s taking place. Playing disciplined football will be crucial as well because not doing so or reading the play wrong will lead to the defender being out of position and potentially an explosive play for the Lions.
There is also going to be added pressure on the Packers’ pass rush to get home or at least disrupt Goff on these pass attempts. When Goff has time in the pocket, he is incredibly efficient. However, if Green Bay is able to get him off his spot, that is when mistakes or inaccurate throws can occur.
In two of the Packers’ three games, they held up well — holding both Chicago and New Orleans to under 4.0 yards per rush. However, the Bears’ offensive line has struggled, and the Saints were without both Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.
On the flip side, in the Atlanta game, Green Bay gave up over 200 rushing yards, while Bijan Robinson averaged over 6.0 yards per attempt. Atlanta, in particular, found a lot of success running outside, something the Saints tried to copy, and perhaps Detroit could as well.
“This is a copycat league,” said defensive coordinator Joe Barry on Monday, “and if you put something on tape unsuccessfully, you better anticipate that it’s going to show up until you are successful with it. If you don’t successfully defend something, it’s going to show up until you stop it.”
Slowing the run starts up front, but it takes all 11 defenders to do so consistently and successfully. The interior defenders are going to have to find ways to get off blocks against PFF’s third-best run-blocking offensive line.
The edge rushers will have to stay disciplined and set strong edges, while the linebackers will have to fill running lanes and identify quickly when they have to get outside. When it’s identified as a run play, all 11 defenders will have to swarm to the ball carrier.
Containing, or at least slowing, the Lions run game will put their offensive in predictable passing situations, allowing the strengths of this Packers’ defense, the pass rush, to pin its ears back and get after Goff–an important aspect to this game. It will also allow Green Bay to do the dictating by getting into favorable matchups. However, a failure to slow Detroit on the ground will help set up play-action and, in general, open up opportunities in the passing game. It could also result in the Lions controlling the time of possession, which can often lead to a team controlling the game.
