GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Running backs could take center stage Sunday at Lambeau Field, deciding things for both sides.
The Packers’ Chris Brooks missed his second day of practice due toe an ankle injury.Green Bay also signed Pierre Strong Jr. to the active roster Thursday.
Packers face top rushing attack
For the second straight week, the Packers face a backup quarterback in Tyson Bagent, and the best friend for a backup quarterback is a good ground game. The Bears have the top rushing attack in the league with running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin said, “You know, I think no matter how talented of a play caller you are, how complicated or analytical we get in this football game, football is just run the ball, stop the run, take the ball away. I think if you want to stop any offense, you just got to stop the run.”
Monangai is coming off his second 100-yard performance of the season but has also missed back-to-back days of practice due to turf toe.
Not a one-man show
Packers defensive lineman Jonathan Ford said, “They have some good backs, you know, obviously they got backs that can give you 100 apiece, you know, so I think for us, like I said, it’s getting those guys, you know, neutralizing them and just doing our responsibility in the run game.”
Packers safety Javon Bullard said, “Got two good running backs, nice old line, so we got to come with it. It’s not going to be easy, but it ain’t impossible either. We’re going to get done.”
There will be different and even unscouted looks going against a Ben Johnson offense, but the Packers and Jonathan Gannon can do that too, disguising blitzes and coverages against a backup quarterback.
Packers safety Evan Williams said, “Kind of a chess match, you know, between the quarterback. You don’t want to, you know, act like you’re completely shown and then, you know, start to run out pre-snap, then a quarterback kind of can feel that out a little bit. The execution also is, you know, you got to all be on the same page.”
Packers’ own ground game ranked last
More improvement from Green Bay’s own ground game, currently ranked last in the league, would help the Packers defense. The group now has to answer the challenge going up against the top unit on the other side.
Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd said, “You always want to be, you know, want to come out the best backfield in a game. We want to make sure we run the ball well. We want to make sure we protect the ball well. Focus on, you know, the little things and go out there and compete.”
The Packers had a little life against Tampa Bay with two of the longest runs of the season for 58 yards. Outside of that, the team had just 27 yards on the other 17 carries.
Lloyd said finding ways to be consistent as a whole will help everyone from the backs to the line.
Lloyd said, “Setting blocks and when it’s open, hit it. If you help them, I mean, it goes a long way. And it can open things up a lot better. And once you do it and do it and keep doing it and doing it more, the confidence gets there and everyone works really well together.”
Offensive line notes
It’s looking more and more like Kevin Zeitler will be the starting right guard come Sunday, based on what was seen at practice this week. Tackle Anthony Belton, who lines up next to him, was in practice again Thursday after being limited on the injury report Wednesday.
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