Green Bay Packers: 6 Players Who Need To Step Up for Week 3

In a way, the Packers are lucky to have escaped thus far with an undefeated record. Undefeated is a bit misleading, as Aaron Rodgers' team is only 2-0 and have shown plenty of mistakes thus far.

A Week 3 matchup against the Bears will be no easy task, especially when considering that the event takes place in Soldier Field.

If the Packers are to head into Week 4 with another win, these five players are going to have to step up their game.

5. James Starks

Starks seems to be primed for a bigger role this game as it is evident he is better than Grant due to Grant's age.

Since he will be seeing more snaps, the second-year pro must make the most of his opportunities.

If Starks gets the call for the third-down gig, he must show he can pick up the blitz and protect Rodgers on passing downs.

4. Tramon Williams

It's not really fair to say that Tramon Williams must step up. It's more correct to say that Williams has to get healthy and play moderately effective.

Williams affects the Green Bay defense so much, as it allows Dom Capers to be more creative and bring on more blitzes knowing that coverage is taken care of.

Without Williams, the ailing secondary is not the same. 

3. Tim Masthay

Masthay shares the job with the rest of the Packers' special teams in not allowing Devin Hester to break off a long punt return.

Hester's ability to return the ball will be limited to punts, as it's safe to say Mason Crosby's instructions will be to put extra effort into booting the ball out of the end zone every kickoff.

Darren Sproles ripped off a few nice returns in Week 1, and Hester is even more dangerous.

Masthay's punts must be extremely accurate in not allowing Hester to do what he did last year, score a TD on a punt return.

2. Clay Matthews

A multi-sack game is overdue for Clay Matthews.

With only one sack in two games, despite playing against a weak line in Carolina's last week, Matthews must record a few sacks against Chicago.

The Bears do not have a very good line, and it hurts them even more that Gabe Carimi will be out for at least a few weeks.

Carimi, who has played on the right side, would have faced off against Matthews. The USC product now lines up against another backup whom he must take advantage of.

1. Morgan Burnett and Charlie Peprah

With the injury of Nick Collins, two people will have to step up in the safety position, Morgan Burnett and Charlie Peprah.

It is never easy to step into the shoes of a Pro Bowler, but at least Peprah has starting experience, as he took over for Burnett last year.

Burnett has been a beast this year, recording 21 tackles, an interception, a sack, a forced fumble and two passes defensed.

If these two can right the pass defense's ship with the help of the cornerbacks, the odds at beating the inconsistent Bears increases dramatically.