Tag: Matt LeFleur

Behind Enemy Lines: Week 10 Q&A with Packers Wire

With the Jags taking a trip to Lambeau, Jags Wire got a little bit of intel on the Packers through Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have arrived to the hardest point of their 2020 schedule and it will start with a trip to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.
At the midway point of the season, both teams are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Of course, the 1-7 Jags are enduring a seven-game skid and are in last place in the AFC South while the Packers are leading their division with a 6-2 record.
To help get some intel on Aaron Rodgers and company, we had a chat with Packers Wire editor Zach Kruse this week. Here are five questions he was kind enough to answer concerning the red hot Packers:

Jaguars Wire: Matt LaFleur is someone Jags fans are familiar with after his tenure with the Titans. How has he been for the Packers since becoming their head coach?

Zach Kruse: The Packers have won 20 of the 26 games coached by LaFleur over the last two seasons, so his career in Green Bay is off to a terrific start. He’s done a commendable job remaking the team in his image, and his new-age offensive scheme has been a big hit, especially with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The partnership between the two has been fantastic. Also, the Packers have scored on every single opening drive this season, which is usually a good barometer of coaching ability, especially for an offensive-focused coach, and they haven’t lost back-to-back games in either of his first two seasons. The hiring has been a big success so far.

JW: Aaron Rodgers is one of the best to ever do it obviously and will be for the next few years. Could you discuss the season he is having so far?

ZK: Rodgers said all offseason that he was finally comfortable in the offense, and it’s shown up in a big way on the field. He’s thrown 24 touchdown passes and is right in the hunt for the MVP at the midway point of 2020.

LaFleur’s offense has allowed him opportunities to get the ball out of his hands quick and on time but also opportunities to attack down the field. It’s been a good mix. Additionally, Rodgers has been deadly in the red zone. He’s also avoiding turnover plays (just two interceptions) and sacks. Through eight games, Rodgers leads the NFL in passer rating and is on pace for what would be a career-high 48 touchdown passes.

JW: What are some weaknesses with this Packers team that the Jags may can exploit?

ZK: The run defense is an obvious place to start. Physical, run-first teams have given the Packers problems in recent years. The personnel at defensive line and inside linebacker isn’t great, and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine generally prefers having more defensive backs on the field to protect against the pass.

The Jaguars will have to run the ball effectively to win the game on Sunday. Shorten the game, protect the ball, and keep Rodgers on the sideline. It might not be the most efficient football but it’s certainly one way to pressure one of the Packers’ stress points.

JW: Who are some under-the-radar names to watch from this Packers team on offense and defense?

ZK: On offense, watch for RB Tyler Ervin and TE Robert Tonyan. The Packers love using Ervin as the fly motion man in LaFleur’s scheme to stress defenses horizontally before the snap. He turned 12 touches into 72 yards against the 49ers and could play a big role again on Sunday. Tonyan is a big-play tight end with five touchdown catches in eight games. He can win down the field in this offense, especially if teams focus coverage on Davante Adams.

On defense, keep an eye out for safety Darnell Savage. He nearly had an interception of Nick Mullens last week. Expect the Packers to use him to prevent big plays vertically but also to help against the run. He might be the fastest player on the roster.

JW: What’s your final predictions for the outcome of the game?

ZR: The forecasted conditions at Lambeau Field for Sunday are starting to give me pause. It could be wet, windy and potentially even cold.

The Packers didn’t handle poor conditions a couple of weeks ago against the Vikings, and more bad weather could help level the playing field on Sunday. I still like the Packers to win, probably comfortably. If conditions are manageable, the Packers could score a lot of points on the league’s 31st ranked scoring defense.

I’ll go Packers 31, Jaguars 17. 

Falcons promote K Elliott Fry, two DBs to active roster

In a move that was expected all week due to kicker Younhoe Koo’s injury, the Atlanta Falcons promoted Elliott Fry to the active roster ahead of tonight’s Monday night matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

In a move that was expected all week due to an injury to Younghoe Koo, the Atlanta Falcons promoted kicker Elliott Fry from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of their Monday night matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

The team also promoted cornerback Delrick Abrams and safety Jamal Carter to the 53-man roster this afternoon.

Without A.J. Terrell, Darqueze Dennard, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, the Falcons’ secondary needs all the help it can get. We will see how these young players hold up in prime time tonight on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

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