New Wrinkles Could Help Packers Defense Against Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson
A better effort in both stopping the run and containing the game's most dangerous edge passer figures to be among the focal points for the Green Bay Packers defense in prepping for Sunday's rematch with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
Two new wrinkles, installed by defensive coordinator Dom Capers well after Seattle's 36-16 trouncing of the Packers back in Week 1, may help Green Bay combat running back Marshawn Lynch and quarterback Russell Wilson Sunday.
The first lacks a fancy name. It was simply Capers' decision to plug in edge-rusher Clay Matthews at inside linebacker, a move that has helped give much-needed life to Green Bay's once-failing run defense during the second half of the season.
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A second wrinkle has the flashy title. The Packers' NASCAR package, which puts all four of Green Bay's "elephant" rushers on the field at once, could help deliver the speed and athleticism needed to keep Wilson from breaking the pocket and creating big plays down the field.
Throw in a few personnel changes and individual improvements, and it's clear the Packers should give Seattle a better test than back in Week 1.
Arguably no factor is as important for the Green Bay defense as stopping the run. The Seahawks rushed for 207 yards in the first meeting, including 110 and two touchdowns from Lynch. Overall, Seattle averaged 5.6 yards per attempt and controlled the ball for over 33 minutes.
The Seahawks are Super Bowl bound if those numbers are replicated Sunday.
Then again, Lynch was busting through a defense playing A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones at inside linebacker. It will be Matthews and physical second-year linebacker Sam Barrington manning the middle on most snaps for the Packers Sunday.
Since the two took over inside, Green Bay has allowed under 100 rushing yards four times and over 120 just once (last Sunday vs. Dallas). Opposing offenses are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry over the nine games, with only three rushing touchdowns.
| First 8 Games | 153.5 | 4.8 | 9 |
| Last 9 Games* | 92.9 | 3.8 | 3 |
The improvements have roots in both talent elevation and the addition-by-subtraction principle.
Matthews' instincts and athleticism and Barrington's aggressiveness and physical nature have added a spark. The two are simply upgrades over Hawk and Jones, who now play only in certain packages. The Packers are bigger and faster up front, with Matthews' move inside allowing Green Bay to play Nick Perry or Mike Neal on the edge.
Credit Capers for finally identifying the issue and taking measures to remove it, even if it took the better part of two months. Back in Week 1, both Hawk and Jones were exposed as obvious liabilities, especially against the run. Neither is big or strong enough to handle the pounding inside. After eight games of getting run over, Capers made the change.
Not having the pair on the field for 60 or more snaps Sunday should immediately give Green Bay a better chance at holding up against Lynch and Seattle's top-ranked rushing offense.
Of course, the Packers still gave up 123 yards to rushing champ DeMarco Murray in the divisional round. But 56 of those 123 yards came on two carries (runs of 26 and 30), while his other 23 carries resulted in just 67 yards (2.9 per attempt). Further, 15 of Murray's 25 carries gained three or fewer yards. The big runs hurt, but the Packers otherwise made the league's leader in rushing grind for every yard.
The same will be expected Sunday. Green Bay probably isn't capable of shutting down Lynch, even with the changes. But making the Seahawks work in the running game would still be a huge improvement over Week 1.
The Packers must also concern themselves with keeping Wilson from creating big plays outside the pocket.
| at SEA (2012) | 130 | 18 | 99.3 | 2 |
| at SEA (2014) | 191 | 29 | 110.9 | 2 |
| Totals | 321 | 47 | 105.9 | 4 |
The Seahawks passing game isn't always a fluid, synchronized operation. In fact, Seattle often depends on Wilson buying time outside the framework of the original play. The unpredictability factor is often times impossible to defend. And there's arguably no quarterback (besides maybe a healthy Aaron Rodgers) better equipped to create those opportunities.
The Packers can't take away all of Wilson's genius. He is too smart, too athletic, too aware. But there will be chances to use the NASCAR package to help minimize the threat, especially on third down.
The NASCAR package is very simple. Instead of rushing a more traditional nickel look, with two edge-rushers and two interior defensive linemen, the Packers send out four edge-rushers and let them loose. Typically, the four are Matthews, Perry, Neal and Julius Peppers.
The package was first introduced against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Of the five third downs the Packers used it against Carolina, four resulted in stops—including one on a sack by Perry. It's since been used in various capacities, including last Sunday. Peppers' first-half sack on third down came out of the NASCAR look, which matched him one-on-one with a guard.
The Packers might use the package in Seattle not just to disrupt Wilson but also to ensure he's being pursued by as many athletes as possible. And Capers could also use a spy behind the NASCAR front four—with possibly Barrington or one of the safeties—to give maximum security against Wilson's improv abilities.
Again, there's no perfect answer for what Wilson does best. But putting your top pass-rushers and another set of eyes on the quarterback is certainly one option for Capers and the Packers this week.
Natural progression of the roster should also help.
Nose tackle Letroy Guion—an emergency plug-in with limited reps before Week 1—has since developed into an asset for the Packers in the middle of the line. Barrington, who didn't play a single defensive snap in the opener, is now almost a full-time player. Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is no longer a green rookie taking on his NFL debut; he's since played 16 games.
Add it all up—a couple new wrinkles and the in-season progression of key pieces—and the Packers are clearly better suited now to take on the Seahawks' multi-pronged offense than in the opener.
The question is, will it be enough?
The effectiveness of the two wrinkles against Seattle's two biggest strengths may provide the answer Sunday.
Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report.
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