5 toughest QB matchups for Packers in 2021 season
Two months before the season begins, we don’t yet know who will be starting at quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.
But we do know many of the quarterbacks they will come up against throughout the season. Many of the league’s top passers are on the schedule in 2021, which means Joe Barry’s defense will need to be on top of their game.
Who are the top five QBs the Packers will come up against this season?
5. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Still just 23 years old and entering his third season in the NFL, Kyler Murray is one of the best young quarterbacks in football. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first season and then backed it up with his first Pro Bowl selection last year.
In two seasons, Murray has thrown 46 touchdown passes with 24 interceptions, but what makes him so tough to defend is his rushing ability. Murray has rushed for 1,363 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons.
With DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green to throw the ball to, this will be a tough matchup for the Packers’ defense.
4. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
The Packers have seen plenty of Matthew Stafford over the years having spent all of his career to this point with the division-rival Detroit Lions.
Stafford lands on a new team this season, joining Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford can make the Rams Super Bowl contenders. He’s enjoyed plenty of success against the Packers’ defense over the years and that should continue in the best offense he’s played in.
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson, the NFL MVP in 2019, is one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
In two full seasons as the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, Jackson has thrown for 5,884 yards and 62 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. They are great passing numbers, but we haven’t even mentioned his rushing stats yet.
Jackson’s numbers would make most running backs proud, having rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons. Since 2019, Jackson has 2,211 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
The Packers and Seattle Seahawks have enjoyed a fun rivalry, and in recent years Green Bay has had some great battles up against Russell Wilson. Wilson has played eight games against the Packers, including the playoffs, with each team winning four.
In the regular season, Wilson has thrown for 1,150 yards and nine touchdowns with six interceptions against Green Bay, but bear in mind five of those picks came in one game. Outside of that performance, he’s protected the ball well against the Packers.
He also threw four interceptions in one of the two playoff meetings against Green Bay, but let’s not discuss that game. I think we all remember how it ended.
Wilson is an eight-time Pro Bowler and one of the best QBs in the league. In 2021, we see another chapter in this great rivalry.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Aaron Rodgers might be the defending league MVP, but Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in football and likely will be for many years to come. Mahomes has thrown an astonishing 114 touchdown passes in just three seasons with only 23 interceptions.
He’s also led his team to the Super Bowl two years in a row, winning one. If there’s one team that could win multiple championships in the next decade, it’s the Kansas City Chiefs. And Mahomes is the number one reason why.
The Packers will have a tough task against Mahomes in this game.