In the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (#7) runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers. Brett Davis of USA TODAY Sports must be credited.
The Green Bay Packers defense did a good job stopping the run in Week 1 against Chicago, but this week, with the Atlanta Falcons on the schedule, they will once again have their hands full.
The Chicago running backs averaged just over three yards per rush when playing the Bears. The Packers used a ton of tricks throughout the game to create some confusion in the front.
The Green Bay defense was playing much faster as a whole, whether that was upfront in their ability to shoot gaps or with the players at the second and third levels swarming to the ball carrier.
In addition, the edge rushers did well keeping the running backs inside.
On Wednesday, Matt LaFleur stated, “I thought our guys, for the most part, were playing gap sound.
“Using sound fundamentals when playing. I thought the forward movement we did was beneficial.
However, every week brings a new challenge, and this one is going to be a great one for us.
“.
Atlanta’s offense, like that of the Bears, depends a lot on their rushing attack.
Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson combined for 25 Carries, while quarterback Desmond Ridder attempted the fewest passes in Week 1 of the NFL with just 18.
In contrast to Robinson, who made his NFL debut, Allgeier averaged 5.0 yards per carry on 15 attempts while scoring two touchdowns.
Although the Atlanta offensive line was able to open up a few lanes for running, Allgeier and Robinson proved to be very elusive targets.
According to PFF, Allgeier and Robinson were both in the top 15 of 43 eligible running backs in terms of average yards gained after contact, and their five missed tackles forced were tied for the second-most among all running backs.
LaFleur said, “They’re very difficult to tackle, and you can see that the offense runs through those two guys.
But I think both of those backs are very, very good, and you’ve got to try to contain them as much as you can.
Additionally, I believe that their offensive line does an excellent job of coming off the ball, creating movement up front, and opening up space for those players to run.
“.
Cordarrelle Patterson, who participated fully in practice on Wednesday, appears to be another opponent for the Packers after sitting out the first game of the year.
In 2022, Patterson’s rushing average was 4 points and 8 yards.
He, like Allgeier and Robinson, has shown to be very challenging to bring down.
Jerry Montgomery, the run game coordinator, said, “All three of their backs are really dynamic and all of them can take it to the house.”.
They are running a scheme, that’s what.
They press the line of scrimmage to force you to run, and then they’ll turn around and head downward.
All three of those guys can take it to the house, whether they are 7 or 84.
Undoubtedly, it will be difficult. Therefore, we will be busy all day. “.
Kenny Clark declared that containing the run would be the top priority before the Bears game.
Although it’s a new week, I’m going to assume the Green Bay defense’s mentality won’t change.
The Falcons offense will be forced into clear-cut passing situations if the Packers can stifle their running game and force them to play from behind the sticks.
This will make it possible for the Packers’ pass rush, which is one of their strengths, to pursue Ridder.
When it came to pass protection, the Carolina defensive front was able to frustrate the Falcons offensive line, despite some success they had running the ball.
Atlanta is ranked 21st among the 32 defenses by ESPN’s pass-block win rate metric after the first game.
The Falcons rely heavily on a quick passing game in addition to pounding the ball into the ground, in an effort to get the ball out of Ridders’ hands and give his pass catchers the chance to make plays in tight spaces.
Only four of Ridder’s 18 pass attempts against Carolina gained more than 10 air yards, and only one of those four passes gained more than 20 yards.
This Atlanta offense relies on the run, so slowing the run will make moving the ball and gaining first downs much more challenging, which will help limit it.
An ongoing strategy of trying to advance the chains on third and long through screens, shallow crosses, and quick outs is probably not viable.
This Packers defensive front has appeared to be more effective this summer, particularly against the run, thanks to increased depth, speed, and versatility as well as a new game plan that included a lot more post-snap movement.
The second week, however, will again put this young unit and those adjustments to the test.
The Falcons can now watch some film and make adjustments, unlike last week, when they didn’t.
The pass game coordinator Jason Rebrovich said, “They’re good.”.
“Their offensive line is excellent.
Each of them was chosen according to that strategy.
In that system, they have all been selected.
Each and every one of those men was recruited to perform the tasks at hand.
Additionally, they run the zone extremely well and are a heavy zone team.
Consequently, we are overwhelmed.
“.