The Green Bay Packers must push and hit Tom Brady to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC game, making Sunday an ideal time to unleash the defense’s emerging star passion.
Rashan Gary has a real chance to be an X-Factor player for the Packers against Brady.
Since Week 16, Gary is second among frontrunners in total pressure (14, despite playing just three of a possible four games) and first in his passive productivity, according to Pro Football Focus. Perhaps his efficiency as a rusher is due to a smaller number of scores and the opportunities to be a third rusher behind two established entrees. Or maybe Gary could make even more of an impact if he’s more on the field.
Over the past three games, Gary has had just 52 passive snaps. About once every three passion-hurried slaps, he gives a push.
The Packers can definitely use a repeat of the relationship on Sunday against Brady.
Domestic pressure has long been the best way to combat Brady, which is perhaps the best ever to perform subtle movements in the pocket to avoid border storms, create space and throw lanes. Packing the bag and limiting his ability to climb into the bag is crucial, and the Packers have two players – Kenny Clark and Za’Darius Smith – who can create the necessary disruption inside.
Edge pressure, however, can not be discounted, not even against Brady. Remember back to the AFC title game in 2015 The Denver Broncos’ pass-rush bruised and battered Brady, firing him four times and hitting him 17 times. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware delivered three bags and 11 shots as dropouts, and the Patriots scored just 18 points despite Brady throwing 56 times. He finished with two interceptions and a pass rate of 56.4, one of his worst performances after the season.
Hitting Brady 17 times may not be realistic on Sunday, but the Pass-Pass rush has the chance to control the game, just as the Broncos did five years ago.
Gary, Clark, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith can be a formidable foursome as riders. This group has to play a great game on Sunday, and it could definitely benefit Mike Pettine’s defense to give Gary more chances to disrupt from different passing corners, especially in clear passes when Za’Darius Smith can step inside. He was just too effective to do such an important task to be a role player in the biggest game of the season.
Remember, this is not just an example size of three games from Gary. Consider this amazing stat from PFF:
Highest pressure% since week 10:
1. Rashan Gary – 18.7%
2. Aaron Donald – 18.6% pic.twitter.com/HEopntahaQ– PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) 23 January 2021
In the Packers’ first meeting against the Buccaneers, Gary played only 17 total shots and rushed just ten times. He delivered one of the Packers’ six pushes, but he has yet to become a trusted member of the pass-rush. His second-year jump was just delayed.
In Week 10, Gary experienced the breakout game of his second season, delivering seven hits against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has since been just as disruptive as Aaron Donald, and he has made amazing progress for a talented young player playing on a Super Bowl player in real time.
In just his last two home games, Gary has raced 35 times and created 13 pressure. Veteran Preston Smith may find ways to influence the game in other ways, but he has only 28 overall pressure over 421 passive storms spread over 17 games.
The Packers face the Super Bowl, but a soccer giant stands in their way. For the best Brady, the Packers need their best on the field. And Rashan Gary has undoubtedly emerged as one of their best, especially doing the one thing they need most to beat Brady the Bucs. Pressure.
It’s time to release number 52 in the NFC title game.