Green Bay needs to build a more consistent pass rush if they want a chance at a deep playoff run as a likely NFC wild-card team. The Packers’ 30-13 win in Seattle on Sunday was a big step forward.
Green Bay (10-4) consistently pressured Geno Smith, who was injured in his right knee midway through the third quarter. They kept the pressure on Sam Howell, who took over for Smith. The Packers ended up with seven sacks, three on Smith and four on Howell.
“We were just able to pretty much pin our ears back all day, and (our) offense pretty much did a good job putting them boys behind,” said Kingsley Enagbare, who had two sacks. “We got a couple three-and-outs early, so the offense was pretty much able to score early a lot, too, so we kind of put them in a pass-first situation.”
Green Bay’s pass rush has been inconsistent throughout the season as the team adjusts to the switch from a 3-4 to 4-3 scheme under first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley.
The Packers recorded eight sacks in a win at Tennessee on Sept. 22, four in a win over Houston on Oct. 20, and five in a Thanksgiving night win against the Miami Dolphins.
But in five of their first 14 games, they had zero or just one sack, including a Dec. 5 loss to Detroit that likely ended their chance at winning the NFC North. They know they need to pressure quarterbacks more often.
“I think that’s the plan every week, right?” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s just whether or not you’re able to go out there and do it. Yeah, obviously we’re always trying to get pressure on the quarterback. That’s the No. 1 way to disrupt anything on offense.”
These last three regular-season games give the Packers a chance to keep putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks as they prepare for the playoffs. While the Packers have not yet secured a playoff spot, NFL Next Gen Stats gives them a playoff chance of over 99%.
The win against Seattle showed the Packers’ pass-rushing potential. Six players combined for the seven sacks.
One came from Rashan Gary, who has bounced back from a slow start and now has four sacks in his last five games. Enagbare had one standout series where he sacked Howell twice and limited him to a 2-yard rush to force a three-and-out.
“Our D-line came to play,” LaFleur said. “They did a hell of a job and just got constant pressure.”
