Green Bay Packers: Four Downs of Questions
2.What player should our defense be most worried about this week? Who should theirs be?
Sep 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) enters the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Korb: For the Green Bay defense, it is Jamaal Charles, no question. So many reasons too. He’s one of the best runners in the league; nobody in league history has a better yards-per-carry mark than him. He’s coming off a game where he literally fumbled the game away and had two on the day; he’ll be amped to make an immediate and lasting impact. KC is a run-first offense; they’ll gladly feed him the ball. Though Green Bay slowed Marshawn Lynch in Week 2, they allowed Matt Forte to terrorize them; Charles and Forte have a similar speedy style, and Charles is better at it. If he doesn’t have a big game, this Packers defense is truly for real.
For the Kansas City defense, the easy answer is Rodgers..but that’s way too obvious. Past him, I would have to say Randall Cobb. This team has a ton of talent at corner, but Cobb is one of the better receivers this league has to offer. His skills can and will eat up the defense all across the middle of the field, no matter which corner gets the unenviable job of guarding him. Even if he doesn’t directly beat the defense, the focus they’ll have to put on him will let others do damage elsewhere, thus allowing him to indirectly beat them
McPeak: I hate I can€™t go off script on this one, but I think it€™s a no brainer for both. The Packers have to slow down Jamaal Charles on Monday night. Matt Forte represented about the same style running game that Charles will bring to the table. Fans shouldn€™t get too wrapped up in the run defense from the Seattle game. Marshawn Lynch is a bruiser and an inside guy. Capers may even have Matthews shadow Charles if the Packers can€™t contain him in normal schemes.
For the Chiefs, you have to somehow disrupt Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers shredded the Seahawks defense without Jordy Nelson, Eddie Lacy, Bryan Bulaga and a less than 100% Randall Cobb. He has really reached a phenomenal level of play in his career. The Seahawks managed to get pressure, but had very little success in bringing Rodgers down. Kansas City must somehow bring him down multiple times and hope for a rare turnover.
Wright: We should be worried about Travis Kelce. He had a relatively quiet week after a breakout in week one. He’s due. Alex Smith will be looking for his big target if the Packers defense can hold Jamaal Charles like they did Lynch. Kelce can be every bit the player Jimmy Graham is – and the secondary did a good job of bottling him up last week. Can they do it again?
The Chiefs should worry about Ty Montgomery. Yes, an unprecedented pick here. However, he showed great flashes last week and Davante Adams is still battling an ankle issue. He may be very limited. There isn’t much tape on Montgomery yet – something the Packers WR can use to his advantage when called upon
Rogalla: I am thinking TE Travis Kelce. RB Jamaal Charles is instant offense. The Packers must find away to hold Charles in check but that means Kelce may find himself being covered one-on-one by Nate Palmer. In week 1, against a good Houston Texans defense, Kelce caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. So far this year, the packers defense has done a good job keeping opponents out of the end zone. That trend needs to continue.
George: I think the obvious one has to be Jamal Charles. The Packers defense did a great job at smothering Marshawn Lynch and holding him to under 50 yards last Sunday. Lynch only had 2.7 yards per carry. That’s crazy! However, Lynch is more of a bruising, run down your throat type of back where Charles is a speedster who can make big plays on the outside. Beating the Chiefs will start with stopping Charles. They have to limit his cutback lanes and force the ball into the hands of Alex Smith.
On the other side, the Chiefs have to be worried about Aaron Rodgers. Obviously, right? The way he can control the crowd and home and change his cadence to draw the defense offside is outstanding. And when you think you are closing in on him for a sack, he escapes the pocket and makes a huge play with his arm or legs. He’s a magician. The Chiefs defense will have to come up with a way to limit Rodgers big play ability and try to have the Packers rely on the run. I just don’t know the formula for that. I don’t think there is one.
Hansen: Justin Houston. It’s not even close for me. Houston is the most disruptive pass rusher outside of J.J. Watt in the league. He’s athletic and relentless. Combine that with the fact that he has Tamba Hali on his opposite side as well as two good 3-4 defensive ends, its a scary situation for any offensive line.
Micah Hyde. It may not be a common choice but it appears that the Packers have enlisted Hyde to spend a majority of time covering talented tight ends. If Hyde can limit Travis Kelce it would be a huge blow for the Kansas City passing game.
Testin: Jamaal Charles. The Packers run defense has been subpar so far this season, and Charles is one of the best backs in the league.
Randall Cobb, if they allow him to be an impact they will have a tough time slowing down Aaron and that offense.
Next: Third Down