Five Packers to watch vs. Vikings in crucial Week 16 matchup
By Jesse Fry
3. David Bakhtiari/Bryan Bulaga
The Packers’ tandem at tackle had what could have been their best game of the season against the Bears last week. David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga shut out the Bears’ talented duo of Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd.
A lack of time in the pocket was not at all to blame for the Packers’ lack of success on offense. The task gets a little more difficult this week. Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen are having a better season than the Bears duo and have combined for 21 sacks on the year.
Both players are equally good against the run and the pass and rarely come off the field. This talented duo of pass rushers can and will wreck the Packers’ game plan if they get going.
Last time D-Bak and Bulaga had the benefit of playing at home where the crowd noise was minimal. Now they will be playing in hostile territory with a crowd who knows what’s at stake and won’t give the Packers any break.
The Packers offense is having enough problems without a monster pass rush coming after them. Bakhtiari and Bulaga must keep edge pressure away from Aaron Rodgers and allow him to go to work on a secondary that has seen its fair share of struggles this season.