Packers: Burks, Jackson key to defensive success against Redskins

As the Green Bay Packers make their final preparations for their first road game of the season against the Washington Redskins, they’ll look to continue building on their early defensive success.

Two of the biggest factors in this game defensively for Green Bay will be rookie linebacker Oren Burks and rookie cornerback Josh Jackson.

One of the keys to a Packers victory will be making sure they stop running back Chris Thompson out of the backfield, and tight end Jordan Reed, two of Alex Smith‘s favorite targets early on.

Throughout his career, Smith has built a reputation for not taking many risks and relying heavily on routes in the flat or underneath. Often referred to as “Checkdown Charlie”, Smith has continued with his conservative style of play through the first two games of this season.

He is averaging just 7.2 yards per attempt thus far, which is 18th best in the NFL, right around where he is normally found in this statistical category.

Limiting Thompson and Reed’s production will be crucial for the Packers defense. Through two weeks, Smith has completed a total of 54 passes, and 29 of them have been to either Thompson or Reed. Nearly 54 percent of Smith’s completions come from one of those players.

Oren Burks on Chris Thompson

In Burks’ NFL debut, he will most likely be tasked with covering Thompson out of the backfield. Thompson has had 21 targets on the season and has hauled in 19 of them for 155 yards and a touchdown, while only having nine rushing attempts for 66 yards. If Thompson is in the backfield, it should tip-off the defense that it will most likely be some sort of passing play.

In 2017, teams utilized the running back in the passing game quite often against the Packers and with great success. Athletically Green Bay didn’t have anyone at the linebacker position able to match up with these play designs, and it led to a number of big plays.

A big reason the Packers drafted Burks in the third round was because of the speed he possesses at the linebacker position. At the combine, Burks ran an official 40 time of 4.59 seconds, one of the faster times at the linebacker position.

As a former safety, Burks has great pursuit speed and range to cover the field. This ability will allow him to spy on Thompson and hopefully limit his production in the passing game.

Due to being relatively new at the position, Burks will have to work on shedding blocks to be able to get to Thompson. This was one of the areas coming out of college that he needs to improve on. I would anticipate Washington trying to engage him early on to make shadowing Thompson more difficult.

Josh Jackson on Jordan Reed

The other threat on this Washington offense will be tight end Jordan Reed. On the season, Reed has brought in 10 of the 13 passes thrown his way for 103 yards and a touchdown.

In Week 1, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine made covering Bears tight end Trey Burton Jackson’s main job. Jackson was able to hold Burton to just one reception on six attempts for 15 yards. 

The Packers knew that if they could eliminate quarterback Mitch Trubisky‘s safety blanket Burton, they would make moving the ball much more difficult for Chicago. I believe the same goes for limiting Reed’s production with Alex Smith.

The tight end position is one that has troubled the Packers defense in the past. However, with Jackson’s speed and big frame at the cornerback position, he makes it very difficult for tight ends to get open. And given Jackson’s ball skills, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get his first NFL interception on Sunday.

Thompson and Reed are both very good players and will still be factors in this game. But if Burks and Jackson can limit their production, it will make moving the ball very difficult for the Redskins.

Smith is reluctant to throw the ball downfield and the Washington receiving corps is a weak spot on this roster. Slowing down Thompson and Reed will be one of the reasons why the Packers will win this game.