5 Things to Watch: Panthers at Packers

Sir Purr

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Mar 16, 2019
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McCaffrey goes for three straight


Speaking of CMC, the Packers’ defense provides the standout running back with another opportunity to rack up yardage.


Through nine games, the Packers rank ninth in the NFL in rush yards allowed per game, giving up an average of 127.7 yards. In last week’s loss to the Chargers, the Packers gave up 159 yards on the ground, marking the fourth time the unit has allowed over 150 rushing yards.


The way McCaffrey and the Panthers have been pounding the rock this season, and Sunday seems like a match made in heaven. In five of the Panthers’ eight match ups, McCaffrey has crossed the 100-yard mark, including the teams last two matchups. With the passing game already limited due to the weather, McCaffrey will look to make it three in a row against the Packers.


Add in the fact that McCaffrey, a Colorado native, is one of the few actually looking forward to playing in the elements and it could be a big day for the Panthers’ offense.


Panthers D vs. the Packers rushing attack


With that being said, the Panthers’ rush defense hasn’t exactly been stellar this season. As dominant as the Panthers have been when it comes to sacks and takeaways, Carolina ranks seventh in the NFL giving up an average of 133.4 rushing yards per game.


Packers’ running back Aaron Jones has been reliable on the ground this season, especially since dynamic wide receiver Davante Adams went out in Week 4 with turf toe. Jones has recorded 496 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on the season so far.


“Aaron’s done a really nice job and then he’s very dangerous as a receiver,” Rivera said. “He’s a very dynamic player, very versatile, very similar to what we do with Christian. He runs very well between the tackles, he’s not a big guy, but because of that he’s got tremendous quickness and he makes cuts.”


In Adams’ absence, Jones picked up the slack and filled in on some of the wide receiver’s signature plays. Now, with Adams back from injury, it makes it more difficult to game plan with both threats on the field together.


“You see a versatile group, for the most part,” Rivera said. “Early in the year you saw them run the jet sweep and they were handing it to Davante. Then they go in with two running backs in the back field, take one of them and split Jones out, bring him across in zip motion and hand him the ball.”


If the ground game is as much of an emphasis as its expected to be on Sunday, Rivera’s defense will need to keep Jones, Adams and the rest of the Packers’ weapons in front of them and be ready for quick passes out of the backfield, too.
 
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