Introduction:
In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Green Bay Packers are facing the Atlanta Falcons without two of their key players, David Bakhtiari and Aaron Jones. This article will dive into the impact of their absence and the challenges the Packers face as they aim to continue their winning streak after a convincing victory over the Chicago Bears in the previous week.
Inactives Against the Atlanta Falcons:
The following players will be inactive for the game against the Atlanta Falcons:
WR Christian Watson
RB Aaron Jones
S Anthony Johnson Jr.
S Zayne Johnson
LB Brenton Cox
T David Bakhtiari
T Caleb Jones
Bakhtiari's Absence:
David Bakhtiari, the Packers' reliable left tackle, will be sidelined for this crucial matchup. Although listed as questionable due to a week-long absence from practice, it's likely not related to his knee injury. Bakhtiari seems to be cautious because the Falcons play on artificial turf, similar to MetLife Stadium, where he presumably wants to avoid complications.
Without Bakhtiari, Rasheed Walker is expected to start at left tackle. The rest of the offensive line remains the same, with Elgton Jenkins at left guard, Josh Myers at center, Jon Runyan Jr. at right guard, and Zach Tom at right tackle. This will be Walker's first career start, a significant moment for the seventh-round pick.
Jones and Watson's Injuries:
The Packers face a challenge in creating explosive plays without their two key offensive weapons, Aaron Jones and Christian Watson. While Watson's return seems imminent, given his limited practice on Friday, Jones didn't participate throughout the week. This made it unlikely for him to play, paving the way for AJ Dillon to start in the Packers' backfield. Dillon has a chance to redeem himself after a tough performance in the previous week.
Emanuel Wilson and Patrick Taylor Jr. will serve as Dillon's backups, with Taylor being elevated from the practice squad for the second consecutive week. Wilson, the league's leading rusher in the preseason, is expected to have his share of touches against the Falcons.
Jones, who was a clutch receiver for Jordan Love in the last game, will be missed. Head coach Matt LaFleur faces the challenge of devising creative strategies to support his first-year starting quarterback.
Wide Receiver Options:
With Watson out for the second consecutive game, Love's wide receiver options include Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Malik Heath, Samori Toure, and Dontayvion Wicks.
Quarterback Performance:
Jordan Love's performance in Week 2 is vital for the Packers' success. He needs to improve his deep passing statistics, where he currently ranks 16th in catchable passes among quarterbacks. His turnover-worthy throw percentage is also a concern, ranking fifth highest among QBs.
In clean pocket passing, Love has a good NFL QB rating, but he needs to work on his completion percentage under pressure.
Offensive Line Comparison:
When it comes to offensive line play, the Packers have a slight advantage over the Falcons in terms of pressures allowed. Green Bay's offensive line has performed impressively, with David Bakhtiari, Josh Myers, and Zach Tom leading the way.
Pass Catchers and Pass Rushers:
In the passing game, the Packers have an advantage over the Falcons in terms of yards per route run, especially with players like Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave making significant contributions.
On the defensive side, the Packers' pass rush has been effective in creating pressure, with Rashan Gary leading the way. However, the Falcons also have notable pass rushers like Bud Dupree.
Secondary Coverage:
The Packers' secondary, led by Rasul Douglas and Jaire Alexander, has been performing well, with Douglas ranking 10th in coverage grades among cornerbacks.
For the Falcons, A.J. Terrell has been a standout performer in the secondary.
Conclusion:
The Green Bay Packers face a challenging Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons without key players. David Bakhtiari's absence and the injuries to Aaron Jones and Christian Watson will test the team's depth. Jordan Love's performance and the offensive line's ability to protect him will be critical factors in securing a victory. The Packers also hold advantages in certain aspects of the game, such as pass catching and pass rushing.
