Five Packers to watch vs. Raiders in Week 7 matchup

4. Blake Martinez

Blake Martinez is about as sure of a tackler as there is in the NFL. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2017, no-one on the Packers has even come close to matching Martinez’s tackling stats. In fact, there are very few in the NFL who are in the same league as Martinez when it comes to making tackles.

One area that has evaded Martinez is turnover plays. Martinez hardly, if ever, leaves the field yet only has been involved in five turnover plays in his career.

For someone who never leaves the field, that is too few. The middle linebacker spot has been devalued over the years but you can not underestimate someone like Martinez. He gets to the ball and makes the tackle. There aren’t many missed or broken tackles. But, if he wants to go down as one of the true greats, he’s going to have to start forcing some turnovers.

Derek Carr is known to make a mistake or two passing the ball, so the opportunity may be there. Josh Jacobs is a rookie who has yet to fumble, but is still a first-year player and can make rookie mistakes.

This defense has playmakers all over the field. Turnovers have been created by the line, outside linebackers and the secondary. It’s time for Martinez to get in on the act.