Jonathan Owens made the most of his opportunities over the last month as the Green Bay Packers dealt with injuries at safety and he retained his starting role against Kansas City, even with Rudy Ford fully healthy.
“JO’s done a great job,” said safety coach Ryan Downard on Friday. “He does a great job communicating. I thought he brought a level of physicality, specifically in Detroit, there was a couple of plays that ‘wow,’ that’s what we needed from a play-style standpoint.”
Along with Darnell Savage, Ford was a starter at the safety position since Week 1 after winning that positional battle over the summer. Unfortunately, a biceps injury would force him to miss Weeks 11 and 12, giving Owens additional opportunities to start.
Where Owens has been his best, not only this season but during his NFL career, is as a willing tackler and run defender. Since Week 10, out of 82 eligible safeties, Owens ranks 11th in PFF’s run-stop rate and has the third-most run-defense tackles. In coverage, he’s limited opponents to just over 10 yards per catch.
As Downard referenced, the Detroit game is a prime example of what Owens brings to this Packers defense. He was flying around the field and playing downhill, leading the team with 12 tackles, several of which came right around the line of scrimmage.
In addition to the physical play style that Owens brings to the position, his versatility was also a key factor in him retaining that starting spot.
“I thought JO did a great job rolling with the punches,” added Downard. “JO has been able to play, without getting into too many specifics, multiple positions, multiple spots. He’s got that caliber mind. He’s very cerebral, and he can roll with the punches. If we make a change in-game, he’s very good at getting it done, that specific check.”
Not to say that there isn’t room for improvement, but the safety position for Green Bay was a massive question mark coming into the season, but if anything, between Savage, Owens, Ford, and Anthony Johnson, the team does have options.
At least for the time being, it doesn’t look like there will be any changes at safety, and that physical brand of football that Owens plays with is going to be key against the Packers’ next opponent: Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants. Success for the Green Bay defense as a whole begins with not letting the Giants’ run game get going.
“He’s done a great job,” said Downard of Owens, “and I think he’s capitalized on his opportunity to step in.”