Packers: Ranking the 5 best performances in divisional-round win vs. Seahawks
By Jesse Fry
4. Za’Darius Smith
For everything that was said about Preston Smith in the game, the same can be said about Za’Darius. Maybe even then some.
Za’Darius Smith is the guy they move around to create mismatches and sets the tone for the rest of the defense.
That didn’t change versus Seattle. With the Seahawks playing with banged-up starters or replacements up and down the line, Smith made a living in the Seattle backfield and not only kept the pressure on Wilson, but also limited the type of impact Marshawn Lynch had running the ball.
As he has done all season long, Smith either made the big play or created opportunities for those around him to.
Yet he hasn’t gotten much love from outside of Green Bay.
Snubbed! Snubbed from the Pro Bowl, snubbed from the All-Pro team. Just snubbed. Despite having one of the best seasons as a pass rusher in the 2019 season, Za’Darius Smith was snubbed from any and all NFL honors so far. And if you think that isn’t going to fuel Za’Darius, you haven’t been paying attention.
But, that’s okay. Smith’s impact can be felt throughout all of the Packers defense and he definitely made a huge difference on this Packers team.
Smith has bigger plans anyway. Should the Packers win one more, he would have to cancel that trip to the Pro Bowl anyway. And I’m sure he’ll take that over any All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors.