Packers: Top five performances in divisional round vs. Rams

3. Rashan Gary

Stat line: 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks

One reason for the Packers’ defensive turnaround late in the season was the strong play of Rashan Gary.

With increased playing time, Gary made the most of his opportunities and finished the season with five sacks.

Gary is now showing that was no fluke and he will be a force to be reckoned with.

He was as active in the pass rush as any other player coming from either the left or right side, teaming with Za’Darius and Preston Smith to give the Packers as good of a pass rush as there is in the NFL.

Though they didn’t always get to Jared Goff, Gary and company still collapsed the pocket, forcing rushed passes and did not allow Goff to throw downfield.

Gary did come through with the biggest sack so far in his young career. He took down Goff with the Rams going for it on a fourth-and-14, ending the Rams’ drive and in essence, ending the game as Green Bay ran out the clock from there.

Gary has made himself into a player coordinators will need to plan for. He can bull-rush or speed, and he can also hold a strong edge in the run game. He is becoming the overall player the Packers thought he would be when they selected him 12th overall in the 2019 draft.

Like they do with the running backs, the Packers have a three-headed monster at edge rusher with three guys who can come from every angle.

They also are peaking at the right time. Their next task won’t get any easier. I’m certain they will be ready to handle all Tom Brady and the Buccaneers can throw at them.