The Green Bay Packers will take the field for the first time in 10 days when they square off against the 0-2 Cleveland Browns this Sunday at Huntington Bank Field. The Packers have had two statement wins to open up the campaign, putting up 27 points against Detroit and Washington, beating man coverage in both games.
This week is not going to be any different, except for the fact that Myles Garrett will be the best pass-rusher this offense has faced in the early going. Garrett leads the NFL's top-ranked defense through two weeks, which the Packers can't overlook.
It's easy to understand why it could be a classic trap game for the Packers. They are facing their first road game of the season against a desperate Browns team, while also coming off two emotionally charged victories against playoff contenders. However, one key factor will help prevent a potential upset, and it depends on the effectiveness of the run game.
Packers must overcome run game struggles against the league's No. 1 defense in Week 3
It's no secret that the team has had some issues running the ball in the first two games. The Packers' rushing attack ranks 18th in the league for yards per game, and their disappointing 3.9 yards per attempt is good for only 21st.
That is not a knock on Josh Jacobs; we know he is a great running back and can take over a game at any moment.
The run blocking, however, has not been able to give Jacobs the space he needs to create the downhill running style we have grown to love. If the team can't get any push in the ground game against a defense featuring Garrett, Jordan Love may be in for a long day.
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A solid run game sets up the play-action, something that Love and Matt LaFleur are top-class at running. If the Browns take that away by stuffing the run and forcing the Packers to start dropping back most plays, it will cause Anthony Belton (or a below-100 percent Zach Tom) to contain a pass-rusher who knows they are throwing the football.
If Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, and Chris Brooks can find holes and pick up some chunk yardage, it will slow down the pass rush enough to give Love time in the pocket to find an open man downfield.
The Browns are ranked first in the league for rushing yards allowed per game (45.5), but the team sitting right behind them is Green Bay, allowing only 48.5 yards per game through the first two weeks.
This team, as many have already said, feels different than the recent Packers squads. Now is the time to prove it even more by going out and taking care of business and advancing to 3-0.
It all starts with the run.