Packers: Five players key to victory in Week 10 vs. Jaguars
By Jesse Fry
4. Preston Smith
Last week against the 49ers, Preston Smith finally looked like the player he was last season. Smith was in the face of the quarterback all game long and even caused a turnover with a hit on Nick Mullens.
Despite his good showing, Smith was still kept out of the sack column and is still stuck on half a sack for the season.
His play on Thursday night is a good sign that Preston might be turning it around. If Christian Kirksey is back this week, Smith won’t be needed as much in coverage, freeing him up to do what he does best and rush the quarterback.
Facing a rookie quarterback will give Smith and the rest of the pass rush plenty of opportunity to pad their numbers. Rookies tend to hold the ball longer and stare down the rush.
Smith and company made the game difficult for Mullens last Thursday. I feel they will do the same for Luton.
Even if the Packers’ run defense can’t get over the hump and start stopping opposing running backs, the pass rush can still be the difference. The offense will put up points and force many games into shootouts. Turnovers will then become key and the easiest way to force a turnover is to apply pressure to the quarterback and force bad decisions.