Packers: Five standout performances from Week 4 win vs. Falcons
By Jesse Fry
3. Za’Darius Smith
Stat line: 8 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 TFLs
After getting shut out of the sack column against the Saints, Za’Darius Smith made up for lost time with three in this game.
Despite fielding an offensive line with all first-round picks, the Falcons were unable to stop Smith from wreaking havoc on Matt Ryan all game long. Inside rush, outside rush, beating a first-round tackle or whooping a tight end, Smith did it all against Atlanta.
With the Packers short Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary, I wouldn’t have thought twice if Smith came away from this game shut out again. It would have made sense if the Falcons would have double-teamed him all game long.
But, Mike Pettine did a wonderful job of moving Za’Darius all over the formation to get favorable matchups. While the pass rush as a whole has not looked the same as in 2019, Z. Smith looks like he’s picking up right where he left off at the end of last season.
Like Robert Tonyan, Smith finds himself atop the NFL leaders in sacks, tied with Myles Garrett.
After the bye, the Packers should get Clark and Gary back healthy. Having those two with Za’Darius and Preston Smith all healthy at the same time will improve this defense. That should be a scary thought to the rest of the NFL.