The Green Bay Packers defense delivered a stellar performance against the Los Angeles Rams with some unsung heroes playing key roles, including linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, who was filling in for an injured Quay Walker.
“There was just a lot of splash plays,” said Matt LaFleur postgame. “Isaiah McDuffie, I felt like he was all over the place, and our guys were making plays. They were having fun, and they were competing, and that’s really all you can ask for is guys trusting what you see in front of you and going out and playing fast, playing physical and playing together and doing your job.”
Including quarterback scrambles, the Packers run defense held the Rams to just 2.6 yards per carry, with a long of just eight yards. McDuffie was a key part of that performance, filling running lanes and flowing sideline-to-sideline to stop the ball carriers from getting outside and turning upfield.
McDuffie finished the game with six total tackles against the run—the next highest mark on the team were several players with two. McDuffie’s four run-stops – or plays that constitute a “loss” for the offense, according to PFF – were also the most on the team. Of McDuffie’s six tackles, his average depth of each tackle was just 0.4 yards, or basically right at the line of scrimmage.
“It was good,” said McDuffie about the Packers run defense. “It starts up front and those guys definitely firing off the ball, making it clean for the linebackers. It was great.”
A few of these stops from McDuffie also came in crucial situations. On a third-and-two in the third quarter with the Rams in Packers’ territory, and the game still close at 7-3, McDuffie came up with a tackle for loss. The Rams then missed their field goal attempt. On the drive prior to that one, the Rams were again in Packers territory, but McDuffie came up with another tackle for loss, putting Los Angeles in a second-and-15 situation that they were unable to recover from and eventually punted.
”You just have to have the mentality next man up, honestly,” said McDuffie on Monday. “Really the approach you have to take is always focus on your job and if something happens, be ready. If you’re ready, you don’t have to get ready.”
Due to De’Vondre Campbell missing a few games earlier in the season with an injury, McDuffie had three starts prior to the Los Angeles game and has played 257 total snaps this season. While Sunday’s performance was his best of the season, he has been able to provide some stability at the linebacker position while it has dealt with injuries.
McDuffie has been a very reliable tackler, making 45 of his 47 tackle attempts this season, which has not only helped this defense in the run game, but also he’s limited yards after the catch opportunities for pass-catchers, allowing just 8.4 yards per catch. For what it’s worth, McDuffie has the 14th highest tackling grade from PFF out of 88 eligible linebackers.
“Another year of experience,” said McDuffie of his play this season. “Again, it just starts up front, and they played very well yesterday, and it helped me play good.”
Walker was a late addition to the Packers injury report last week, missing Friday’s practice with a groin injury. As this week progresses, we will get a better idea of what his availability versus Pittsburgh on Sunday will be.
