Five Packers to watch vs. Panthers in Week 10 matchup

Blake Martinez and Kenny Clark (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Blake Martinez and Kenny Clark (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 15: Kenny Clark #97 of the Green Bay Packers reacts in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

2. Packers D-Line

The best and easiest way for the Packers to control McCaffrey is to control the line of scrimmage. Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Tyler Lancaster, Montravius Adams and both Smiths (Za’Darius and Preston) must show gap discipline, beat the man in front of them and make the tackle the first time.

If the line can do that, Blake Martinez will be free to flow to the ball, Campbell can keep the lineman off of him and the defense will be set up for success.

That hasn’t happened in recent weeks. Teams have been able to manhandle the Packers up front, create big holes for their running backs and ran right through the heart of the Packers defense.

Against the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, the Packers were able to get rolling early on offense, so the run games of the other teams were stifled by the need to play catch up and pass. Against the Chargers, the roles were reversed as Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler were able to have their way against the Packers as the game wore on.

For the Packers defense to return to the success they had early, the team must get back to force long down-and-distances so the pass rush can tee-off on the quarterback and get off the field on third down.