The Green Bay Packers pass-rush has been building steam in recent weeks and will have the opportunity to build upon that performance, along with leaving a big mark in team’s matchup with New York as they face a shaky Giants’ offensive line.
In recent weeks, the Packers defense would record three red zone sacks against the elusive Patrick Mahomes that kept eight points off the board. The week prior, Jared Goff was under duress on a whopping 52 percent of his dropbacks, according to PFF, with Justin Herbert facing pressure on almost 40 percent of his snaps. For some context around those percentages, the top 10 most pressured quarterbacks in football this season have all been under pressure at least 40 percent of the time.
Specifically, along the interior is where the Packers have seen the greatest pass rush presence during that span, with Kenny Clark, Karl Brooks, and Devonte Wyatt all ranking in the top 30 out of 88 eligible defensive linemen in pass-rush win rate. Clark also ranks second in total pressures.
The Packers defense has gone from ranking in the bottom third of the league in pressure rate to currently sitting at 11th overall11th overall.
“We’ve got some really good D-linemen, whether it’s RG (Rashan Gary), P (Preston Smith), Kenny Clark, I mean all those guys up front—TJ (Slaton). All those guys have done a good job. That’s a credit to Rebs (Jason Rebrovich) and J-Mo (Jerry Montgomery) and their relationship.
“I think we are much better at running line stunts than we have been maybe in the past. Those guys playing off each other, being unselfish, setting a pick for another guy, that is a real value when you can rush four, drop seven in coverage, and still get to the quarterback. Those are some of the best defenses in the league when you’re able to get pressure with a four-man rush.”
Across from the Packers front will be the Giants’ offensive line, that in pass protection, has statistically been one of the worst in football this season. New York’ has surrendered the highest quarterback pressure rate this season, and that has resulted in the most sacks allowed by 11. As a collective unit, the Giants rank 27th in ESPN’s pass-block win rate metric.
Of course, getting after the quarterback is always the name of the game, but if the Packers defensive front is able to create steady pressure on their own, it can make things particularly difficult for quarterback Tommy DeVito, with Green Bay able to drop an additional defender into coverage.
When under pressure, DeVito’s completion rate sits at only 45 percent while averaging only 4.0 yards per attempt. A league-high 52.6 percent of the pressures that DeVito faces have turned into sacks, according to PFF, and it isn’t particularly close, with second in that category being at 37 percent.
Conversely, when DeVito has had time, he’s been effective, completing 68 percent of his throws at 7.3 yards per attempt. Wide receivers Darius Slayton and WanDale Robinson have been two of DeVito’s top targets with Jalin Hyatt being a deep threat option for this passing game.
“He looks like a guy that if you give him time, he can make you pay,” said Matt LaFleur about DeVito on Thursday, “there’s no question. They’ve got some dangerous receivers with Hyatt and Slayton and guys that can take the top off obviously. I think Tommy’s done a really nice job going in there, distributing the ball, and making off schedule plays, and making some tight window throws.”
In order to have the opportunity to get after and disrupt DeVito, step one is to slow Saquon Barkley and the Giants run game. New York enters Week 14 ranked 28th in pass attempts per game. Slowing their rushing attack will put the offense in obvious passing situations, allowing the Packers defensive front to really pin its ears back and get after the passer.
When there is a steady pass rush presence, there isn’t a position group on the defense that doesn’t benefit. Pressure means less time in coverage, potential turnover opportunities, and disrupts the timing and rhythm of the offense’s play call.
“It’s a wonder opportunity,” said Kenny Clark about getting after the quarterback, “but we’ve still got to earn the right to rush the passer. Like I was saying earlier, Saquon is a great running back and they do a really good job at that. That’s the key, the stop the run first, that’s first and foremost, and then get the chance to rush the passer and we’ll get our opportunities there.”
