The Green Bay Packers are looking to stop their three-game losing streak, but they face a tough task on Sunday night. They’ll be playing the Super Bowl-favorite Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park.
At 3-4, the Packers find themselves below .500 for the first time in years and are 2.5 games out of the division lead. They could easily drop their fourth game in a row. Despite this overwhelming feeling of helplessness, you can never count out a team led by Aaron Rodgers.
With their backs to the wall and facing real adversity, the Packers must find a resiliency they haven’t needed to tap into for years and do the improbable. To do that, they will have to neutralize the Bills’ strengths.
These are three things that the Bills do well the Packers must watch out for.
Rush the Edges
The Bills surprised almost everyone when they signed 33-year-old Von Miller to a 6-year, $120 million contract this offseason. Despite the initial skepticism about Miller’s age, the length of the contract, and the price he signed for, he has provided the boost that Buffalo’s pass rush has been looking for.
Miller has already recorded 26 pressures and has six sacks this season. His production as a pass rusher hasn’t seemed to drop off from the last postseason when he won the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Miller will be a problem for whoever the Packers play at tackle.
Gregory Rousseau has improved significantly this year, thanks in part to Miller’s presence. Benefitting from all of the attention Miller has received, Rousseau has started his sophomore campaign strong with 21 pressures and six sacks. While most teams would just focus on Miller, Rousseau has snuck under the radar and been an impactful member of the pass rush.
It doesn’t matter if it’s David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, Elgton Jenkins, or Zach Tom playing tackle this week; they will have their hands full with Buffalo’s edge rushers.
Stopping the Run
While most people immediately think of the offense when discussing the Bills, their rushing defense has done its share so far to make Buffalo a formidable opponent. The Bills have the best run defense in the league, allowing just 76.2 yards per game. This is almost 15 yards less than the second-place run defense. While this stat might be partially due to teams trying to match their firepower through the air and deciding to pick on Buffalo’s injured and inexperienced secondary, being ranked No. 1 speaks for itself.
Miller has recorded 12 stops from his spot on the edge. Stopping the run prevents the other team from controlling the clock and forces them into more obvious passing downs where the pass rush can capitalize.
While most people have been begging for more rushes for Aaron Jones, this week seems like an inopportune time to give him more touches or outside runs.
Air the Ball Out
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Bills are leading the NFL in passing yards per game with 323. With a quarterback of Allen’s caliber and the lack of a running game, they have become more reliant on the passing game to open things up.
Allen’s most obvious target is formidable Stefon Diggs. Since joining Buffalo, Diggs has cemented his place as one of the elite receivers in the NFL. While he is the best pass-catcher Buffalo has to offer, he is far from the only talent. Gabe Davis has also enjoyed a breakout season this year, and his ability to stretch the field is incredible. Davis is averaging a whopping 27.4 yards per reception while maintaining a 123.8 passer rating when targeted.
Tight end Dawson Knox has also been a solid option underneath when Allen has needed to check down. The Packers have consistently struggled against No. 1 options like Justin Jefferson and Terry McLaurin this season. It will be interesting to see how Matt LaFleur’s gameplan changes for Diggs and Allen.
