The inside linebackers for the Green Bay Packers need to do a better job against the run this week when they face arguably the most talented running back in the NFL. Of course, we are talking about Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, who Green Bay will face in London on Sunday.
To put it bluntly, the Packers’ run defense has not been good this season, and DeVondre Campbell and Quay Walker are two of the main culprits. Campbell’s regression as a run defender is surprising, especially after he was the fifth-highest-graded run defender among linebackers last season, according to Pro Football Focus. This season, Campbell has fallen to 97th.
The rookie gets more leeway than the All-Pro but still needs to be a lot better. Walker was first linebacker off the board in this year’s draft, yet he is currently dead last among rookies in run defense.
Stopping the run is obviously a team effort, but Green Bay’s linebackers haven’t done their part through the first four games. That is partly why they are ranked 22nd in run defense and allowing 5.0 yards per carry. Consider this is music to Barkley’s ears now that he is finally healthy and having his best season since 2018.
“We have to be better, quite frankly, because we’re going up against the No. 1 rush offense in the National Football League,” head coach Matt LaFleur said on Wednesday. “We know how explosive Saquon Barkley can be. It’s going to be a great challenge for our defense just to consistently go out there and perform at a high level. We’re going to have to be on point. It’s going to take everybody.”
Even though the Packers can expect the Giants to run the ball a ton, it could still be troublesome. They knew the New England Patriots were going to lean on their running backs last week when they were down to their third-string quarterback. However, Green Bay still had difficulties defending the run even when they knew it was coming. New England totaled 167 yards on the ground and almost snuck away with an overtime victory. And to make matters worse, both Campbell and Walker received their worst run defense grades of the season.
Something will have to change soon, or teams are going to keep pounding the rock against the Packers. LaFleur said the defense wants to continue to play with two-high safeties, which means lighter boxes and more of the onus on Campbell and Walker.
If Campbell and Walker don’t do a better job this week, Barkley could have another near 150-yard day like he did last week against the Chicago Bears.