The Green Bay Packers will be heading into Las Vegas after a mini-bye. They last played on Thursday, the 28th, against the Lions, which will help get some guys healthy. Aaron Jones and Christian Watson were on a strict snap count in that game, but they should be good for this game.
The Las Vegas Raiders are 1-3 on the year, with their lone win against the Denver Broncos. Though they only have one win, they will be a tough matchup for the Packers.
Here are the three keys to a win.
Green Bay Packers Defense Stopping the Run
Death, taxes, and the Packers can’t stop the run. This seems like a perennial problem that the team cannot fix. Whether it is the scheme, the countless first-round draft picks on the defense, or just overall effort. The run defense has to be better.
The Packers allow a whopping 155.3 yards per game and 4.5 yards an attempt. The Raiders come into this game last in the league, running the ball, averaging just over 3 yards a carry and 65 yards a game. Josh Jacobs of the Raiders was the 2022 rushing leader, but he has been bottled up for much of the year. If the Packers give the Raiders a little bit of hope with running the ball, it could lead to a massive day for Jacobs.
After the Lions game, in regards to the run defense, Matt Lafluer said,” It’s insane to do the same things over and over again and expect a different result.”
Regarding the run defense, Joe Barry said,” We’re exploring everything right now.” Of the last three years with Barry as defensive coordinator, the Packers have been one of the bottom four teams against the rush. If this team can’t slow down the Raiders run game, drastic changes must be made.
Green Bay Packers Offensive Line
The offensive line against the Detroit Lions was an embarrassment. Jordan Love was pressured on 20 of his 42 dropbacks and sacked for a career-high five times. To have a chance to win, they have to do better.
Defensive end Max Crosby leads the Raiders. Like Aiden Hutchinson of the Lions, you must always know where it is. Crosby can blow the game open. The Raiders only have seven sacks on the season but have a solid defensive line.
Meanwhile, the Packers must get back to the basics if Aaron Jones is ready for a full workload. Establishing the run will help the line in pass protection. In the past few games, the Packers have not been able to run the ball.
Get After the Quarterback
On the flip side, the Packers need to start getting after the Quarterback. Outside of Rashan Gary (who has been on a pitch count), the edge group has been underwhelming. Rashan Gary has as many pressures (17) as the rest of the edge group (17).
The Raiders weakness on the offensive line is the right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who pff has as the 63rd out of 69 tackles in pass protection. The Packers should have Gary on that side the entire night.
Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers had six sacks vs. the Raiders last week. If Jimmy Garoppolo can’t go Monday (concussion), expect the Packers to get after rookie quarterback Aiden O’Connell.
Although getting to the quarterback creates good things, getting the defense off the field is ultimately the biggest key. The Packers defense has been getting worn down late in games due to the offense’s inept ability to sustain a drive.
It is time for the Packers hyped-up defense and top draft picks to start making plays. This is a game they should dominate from start to finish.
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