The Green Bay Packers will probably be with out two most popular starters at cornerback once they tackle Seattle Seahawks receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on Sunday night time at Lumen Field.
Matt LaFleur’s group dominated out Jaire Alexander and Javon Bullard for Week 15.
While LaFleur wouldn’t give away personnel pr lineup particulars, there’s an excellent likelihood that Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes will begin on the perimeter with Keisean Nixon within the slot towards the Seahawks.
A lingering harm and a brand new harm can have the Packers scrambling at cornerback towards a terrific trio of vast receivers.
Alexander, who practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday, didn’t present sufficient bodily throughout the two practices to show to the Packers he was able to play. LaFleur stated Alexander didn’t hit sure thresholds, together with on-field velocity, required to play, so the two-time All-Pro cornerback will miss a fourth straight recreation and seventh total this season.
Bullard injured his ankle in Detroit final Thursday night time and didn’t observe all week. While the Packers don’t assume he has a long-term, vital harm, Bullard — who performed a minimum of 70 % of the protection’s snaps in 11 of 13 video games this season — will miss a minimum of one recreation whereas recovering.
Alexander’s incapability to return coupled with Bullard’s new harm nearly definitely means the Packers might want to transfer Nixon from the perimeter again to the slot and have each Valentine and Stokes be full-time gamers on the surface. LaFleur stated earlier this week he was planning on the rotation between Valentine and Stokes persevering with, however the harm scenario will probably necessitate each to be starters on Sunday night time.
Stokes has struggled in protection for many of the season, however the Packers hold giving him alternatives. Other choices are Corey Ballentine, who practiced absolutely by means of a knee harm on Friday, and Robert Rochell, who’s primarily a particular teamer.
The problem from the opposite aspect is an apparent one.
Smith-Njigba, a 2023 first-round choose, has blossomed into one of many NFL’s younger stars at receiver. He leads the group with 75 catches for 911 yards and 5 touchdowns, and he’s one in all simply 4 receivers — the others being Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb — to catch a minimum of 75 passes for a minimum of 900 yards and 5 scores this season. Smith-Njigba is at present driving a five-game streak with a minimum of 70 receiving yards. He’s a problem to cowl for anybody, and it’s clear he has chemistry with Geno Smith.
The Seahawks even have Metcalf, a bodily dominant receiver who can win down the sector, and Lockett, a veteran with route-running savvy. Metcalf is averaging 15.0 yards per catch; Lockett is averaging 8.1 yards per goal. They’ve taken a backseat to Smith-Njibga however each are nonetheless efficient gamers.
The Seahawks are one of the crucial pass-heavy groups in soccer. Smith ranks second within the NFL in makes an attempt and completions getting into Week 15.
One antidote to protection query marks is a robust four-man pass-rush, nevertheless it’s more and more unsure if the Packers are going to have the sort pass-rush crucial for protecting up protection issues this season. The Seahawks have had points defending Smith, however he additionally wasn’t sacked final week.
Can the Packers — with out their prime perimeter nook and most popular slot defender — matchup in protection towards the Seahawks? That reply would possibly decide if LaFleur’s group is flying residence to Green Bay at 10-4 or 9-5.
