Like our Oakland Raiders Facebook page for more Raiders news, commentary and conversation. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)Ĥ) If I’m coaching for the opposition, what areas would I look to exploit on the Packers on both sides of the ball? Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, left, looks for a receiver as he is chased by Baltimore Ravens outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith (90) and Terrell Suggs in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. The Smiths only speak to reporters together, and they’ve rejuvenated the Packers’ formerly cringeworthy defense, both in the locker room and on the field as dead-on hits for general manager Brian Gutekunst. Preston ranks third in the NFL with seven and Za’Darius tied for fifth with six, and they’ve feasted on third downs with a combined six sacks (three each).
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Both signed in free agency this March after beginning their careers with the Ravens and Washington, respectively, the Smiths have combined for 13 sacks through six games, the most of any two teammates in the NFL. Without a doubt, it’s been the play of edge rushers Za’Darius and Preston Smith. 2 wideout or a threatening pass-catching tight end.ģ) What player or area of play has been the most pleasant surprise for the Packers in their 5-1 start? Somehow they’ve made due in two wins without Adams even without a true No. As you can see, neither of those players are wide receivers or tight ends, and that’s because the Packers are woefully lacking playmaking talent at those positions. In a 23-22 win over the Lions, Jones only tallied 60 total yards, so backup running back Jamaal Williams led the way with 136 total yards and a touchdown. In a 34-24 win over the Cowboys in Week 4, it was running back Aaron Jones scoring four touchdowns and amassing a career-high 182 total yards while receivers only caught four passes combined. So far the Packers have relied on a host of others to pick up the slack. I fully expect him to miss the game against the Raiders. If Adams sits against the Raiders, who will be expected to pick up the slack?įor complete Oakland Raiders coverage follow us on Flipboard. It can be a debilitating injury if not given time to heal. So far, it’s paid off in a 5-1 start.Ģ) Davante Adams, the Packers top receiver and close friend of Derek Carr, missed the Lions game with turf toe.
As other teams try to decipher what LaFleur’s offense really is in Green Bay, the first-year head coach has kept a fairly even balance between the run and pass to keep opponents guessing. The Packers also don’t have the weapons at Rodgers’ disposal they did during the Jordy Nelson-James Jones-Randall Cobb days, so they’ve been forced to play more conservatively.
Rodgers has often operated from the pocket instead of off-schedule, unless when he’s forced to, and thus you haven’t seen as many daring, eye-popping plays from the future Hall of Famer. LaFleur’s offense is far less predicated on having Rodgers run around the field creating something from nothing than Mike McCarthy’s was, and that has nothing to do with keeping Rodgers healthy after he suffered injuries in each of the past two seasons. Is that simply LaFleur’s style, or a sensible long-term plan to keep Rodgers healthy for 16 games? Five questions with Matt Schneidman of The Athletic Wisconsin, who covers the Green Bay Packers and covered the Raiders for this news organization in 2017-18:ġ) From afar, it appears the Packers, while getting some great play from Aaron Rodgers, are intent under Matt LaFleur to play things a little closer to the vest in terms of balance and play-calling.
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