The Green Bay Packers’ huge investment in pass-rushers offers the opportunity to offer the best reward against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The NFC championship game could come down to whether the Packers can consistently put pressure on Brady, the 43-year-old quarterback, with six Super Bowl titles.
GM Brian Gutekunst has spent considerable capital – both in terms of dollars and concept picks – to prepare him for a moment like this one. The signing of Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith as free agents in 2019, the drafting of Rashan Gary with the 12th overall pick in 2019, and the re-signing of Kenny Clark before the 2020 season, were all notable investments in the disruptive capacity of the Packers’ defensive front.
Now the four can pave the way for the Packers to Super Bowl LV.
Defense coordinator Mike Pettine could try to flash Brady. Pressure in the game is extremely important; Brady’s tear while working from a clean bag and under pressure is staggering.
The Packers only pressed Brady five times in the first meeting. He chose them apart.
Two factors to note from Week 6: Clark is playing back from a groin injury in his first game and has not been completely healthy yet, and Gary is only playing 17 snaps. Clark is now healthy and is back at home dominance, while Gary has emerged as a legal difference maker as a lead to end his second season.
The two may be essential for the second chance. Getting inside pressure is the most important thing against any quarterback, but it’s especially important against Brady. Clark can collapse the bag with force and use his speed to win on tricks and in one-on-one battles against guards and centers. Za’Darius Smith can be at his best if he rushes in, and Gary’s sustained performance on point should give Pettine the opportunity to move Smith inside for advantageous chasing opportunities against fewer blockers.
It’s hard to see a way for the Packers to beat Brady and the Bucs without a big afternoon of pass-rushers. Tampa Bay is loaded with guns in the passing game, and Brady is one of the best in the industry for spreading football out of clean pockets. Give him plenty of time, and he’ll find Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, Tyler Johnson, and Scotty Miller for great plays.
But the Packers should enter Sunday with a sense of optimism to get to Brady. Pettine’s defense came through a strong offensive line, pushing Jared Goff on nearly 50 percent of the relegation rounds. Clark starts taking over games. Gary has been one of the best frontrunners in football this past month. Za’Darius Smith is good for 3-4 big pushes every game. Even Preston Smith is finding ways to have an impact on games, even if he’s not at the quarterback. And it’s possible Kinglsey Keke will be back after missing concussion matches.
The Packers have done considerable work over the past two years to rebuild their pass-rush. The group put together by Gutekunst has the chance to stamp the Packers ticket to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Come to Brady, come to Super Bowl LV.