The threat of Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is widely known, but the Green Bay Packers also have to be mindful in the passing game of running back Rachaad White, who will be an added stressor for the defense.
White will enter Sunday’s contest with 53 targets in the passing game – the fourth-most on the team and only two behind tight end Cade Otten – and 419 yards with two receiving touchdowns.
Among all running backs this season, White has the seventh-most targets, according to PFF, the third-most receiving yards, and the most yards after the catch accumulated. White will line up both out wide and in the slot – roughly 13 percent of the time between the two – but the bulk of his targets have come out of the backfield.
“It just adds another layer to your offense,” said Matt LaFleur on Wednesday. “Where you supplement your passing game, whether it’s through the tight end room or the running back room, it just adds more stress in terms of, if you’re trying to get deep to defend Mike Evans and (Chris) Godwin and all those guys, then you leave more space for your underneath and check downs, and now those become a problem. It adds just more stress to you.”
This season, against running backs in the passing game specifically, the Packers have held up well, allowing just under five receptions per game and limiting the pass-catchers to just 5.92 yards per catch. This includes Jahmyr Gibbs (twice), Josh Jacobs, and Jaylen Warren – three of the more productive pass-catching backs – being held to just 59 combined yards on 15 receptions. Bijan Robinson would get the best of Green Bay, however, with 48 yards on four receptions.
The added stressor for the Packers, as LaFleur mentioned, is that along with trying to contain White in the passing game, the Bucs also have Evans and Godwin, whom Green Bay has to be very mindful of. The duo has combined for 120 receptions, 1,679 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
Based on the style of the Joe Barry defense and the upcoming Packers’ opponent that features Evan and Godwin, along with Baker Mayfield ranking fourth in pass attempts of 20-plus yards, utilizing Cover-2 to limit the downfield pass and to provide extra help over the top could be a big part of the game plan. However, that will then leave space underneath for catch-and-run opportunities for White.
Conversely, trying to shrink the field or playing with an extra defender near the line of scrimmage in order to limit White’s production could leave the Green Bay cornerbacks in one-on-one situations with the Tampa Bay receivers.
Attempting to slow White begins with all 11 defenders swarming to him when he has the ball and, of course, sound tackling. The Green Bay linebackers and safeties, in particular, are going to play key roles in covering White out of the backfield. Reading their keys, trusting what they see as the play unfolds, and reacting swiftly to limit YAC will be paramount.
The Packers’ ability – or inability – to pressure Mayfield can be a key factor in limiting White’s impact as well. Generating a sack or disrupting the timing and rhythm of the play can take away those check-down opportunities if White is the third or fourth read on the play.
“Everyone just has to know where your help is,” said safety Jonathan Owens. “When you can take your shot so that you know what your leverage is supposed to be. That’s the biggest thing. All 11 doing their job. The DBs we are a big part on the back end, but we rely on the linebackers, we rely on the defensive ends, it’s everyone. It’s all about pursuit. It’s going to take all 11.”
From a defensive game plan perspective, it’s not as if Green Bay has to choose between taking away the downfield passing opportunity or the easier short-area throws. We are going to see both approaches depending on how the game unfolds and the specific in-game situations they find themselves in. But with that said, trying to take away one of those aspects on any given play may leave the defense exposed to the other. As LaFleur often says, it’s all part of the chess match that takes place on the field.