Week 11 Green Bay Packers Fantasy Profile

Nov 9, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is tackled by Green Bay Packers ss Morgan Burnett (42) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Defense

Green Bay has had a pretty schizophrenic defense this year; you never know what you’re gonna get. One week, they can put up an epic performance, like a few weeks back against the Panthers. Then, they can fall apart and let a team like New Orleans punish them in all facets.

Last week, they were on the good end of that spectrum by far. As I predicted they were able to force sacks and turnovers against the Cutler-led Bears, but it went well beyond my expectations overall. They really contained the run-game well, and besides a meaningless TD by Brandon Marshall the defense allowed no points at all.  The other TD came from special teams, which while it meant nothing n that game could be an indicator of a potential issue this week.

Philadelphia is by far the best special teams group in the league this year. Not only do they garner huge returns, but they’ve had a propensity to score off of those as well (3 punt/kick return TDs). If they continue to do well, this will put the Packers defense in a bind.

Add in the way they’ve been playing on offense, finding multiple different receivers who can make plays all around the field, and they’ll be tough to stop. The Packers have the personnel to fight back in the secondary, but the run game is where the biggest issue may still be.

Philly hasn’t been anywhere near as efficient running the ball this year, but a big part of that has been offensive line issues. Those guys are getting healthier, the LeSean McCoy/Darren Sproles backfield combo is deadly, and they know the Packers are suspect in run defense.

The role-switch of Clay Matthews to playing more inside and around the field helped immensely against Chicago, but with it on film now can it stay as effective? I hope it does, but it’s too dubious a distinction to expect off of one game against a sub-par opponent.

I’m expecting a lot of points from both offenses in a shootout, so for this week I’d stay away from the Green Bay defense and hope they continue their run defense improvement, so as to improve their prospects going forward the rest of the year in terms of both reality and fantasy.

Prediction: 33 Points Allowed, 1 Sack, 2 Turnover Forced (2 INTs)
Verdict: Do Not Start