After the San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers last month, cornerback Richard Sherman stated San Francisco’s priority on defense was taking away running back Aaron Jones.
It appears the Washington Redskins will attempt to replicate the strategy on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Redskins linebacker Jon Bostic told the Washington Post that the defense’s first priority is stopping Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and the Packers’ run game, even if that means putting the game in Aaron Rodgers’ hands.
“It is [crazy]. It really is,” Bostic said. “Even just saying that. You always preach going in stopping the run, making a team one-dimensional. But it’s like, making a team one-dimensional and putting the ball in the best player’s hands is like, do you really want to do that? But that’s what it’s going to take to beat them. It’s going to take all 11 guys out there . . . playing within the defense, playing within the rules.”
More and more teams are putting their focus on the Packers’ run game. The 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers took away Jones and Williams early, built a lead and then teed off on Rodgers once the Packers’ offense became one-dimensional and pass-heavy.
Bostic and the Redskins clearly want to follow the blueprint on Sunday.
Washington’s defensive front has the talent. Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle are strong interior players, and Ryan Kerrigan and Montez Sweat make for a potentially disruptive edge duo.
The Packers’ offensive line will have its hands full.
Since Week 6, the Redskins are allowing just 3.9 yards per carry, which ranks 10th best in the NFL. The defense’s effectiveness stopping the run has created more pass-rushing opportunities, and the Redskins’ 27 sacks over the last eight weeks rank second in the league. They have 13 sacks in just the last two games.
Getting Jones back on track has to be one of the Packers’ top goals on Sunday. He’s been held under 40 rushing yards in three out of the last four games. The New York Giants allowed him to run for just 18 yards on 11 carries last Sunday at MetLife Stadium, but Rodgers still threw four touchdown passes against one of the NFL’s worst secondaries.
The Packers will have to find ways to run the ball knowing defenses are keying on the run. If they can’t, they’ll need another big day from Rodgers and the passing game to get their 10th win of the season.
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