Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Many eyes will be on the team’s young QBs, but Sunday’s battle between the Panthers and Packers may be decided out of the backfield.
How can the Carolina Panthers avoid getting squeezed by the big cheese on Sunday?
Here are the key matchups that could help decide Week 16’s clash with the Green Bay Packers:
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary and return specialist Keisean Nixon were both among the top 10 in votes for the Pro Bowl at their respective positions as of Dec. 5.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary and return specialist Keisean Nixon were both among the top 10 in votes for the Pro Bowl at their respective positions as of Dec. 5.
Gary is eighth among outside linebackers. Nixon is second among return specialists.
Gary has 9.0 sacks, which ranks 15th in the NFL entering Week 14. His 17 quarterback hits rank tied for 11th, and he also has two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In terms of pass-rush win rate, Gary is seventh among edge rushers at 19.5 percent, per PFF.
Nixon, a 2022 first-team All-Pro, leads the NFL in kickoff returns (23) and kickoff return yards (622). His long 51-yard kickoff return is the seventh longest in the NFL this season. Nixon has also returned 11 punts for 89 yards. The leading vote getter at return specialist is Rashid Shaheed, who returned a punt for a touchdown against the Packers in Week 3.
No other Packers ended up in the top 10 of the voting at their respective position.
One thing to watch over the next three weeks: Can Jordan Love, who has 22 touchdown passes this season, continue his hot streak and make a run at a Pro Bowl spot? Only four quarterbacks have thrown more touchdown passes than Love in 2023, and he’s looked like a top-10 player at the position over the last five weeks.
The “Pro Bowl Games” will be held in Orlando on Feb. 1-4.
Fans can vote on the Pro Bowl participants through Dec. 25. Voting can be done here.
The New York Giants could use a little more talent alongside Kayvon Thibodeaux, so this edge rusher is an easy steal from the Packers.
The New York Giants (4-8) will host the Green Bay Packers (6-6) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey this coming Monday night.
That, of course, provides those of us here at Giants Wire the opportunity to hypothetically steal from the Packers’ roster in search of depth and/or talent upgrades for Big Blue.
In looking over Green Bay’s depth chart, there doesn’t appear to be an overwhelming amount of elite talent but there sure is a good amount of solid, above-average talent.
Quarterback Jordan Love seems like the most obvious player to steal with other options including offensive tackle Zach Tom, guard Elgton Jenkins, safety Rudy Ford and edge rusher Preston Smith.
While Love is extremely tempting, it’s edge rusher Rashan Gary that we’re stealing.
The Giants have struggled to generate organic pressure outside of linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, which has actually hindered his production despite accumulating 11 sacks so far this season. Gary’s presence would immediately prevent Thibs from facing double teams, adding to the overall effectiveness of the defense.
Gary is also a very productive all-around player himself. He excels as a pass rusher but is above average against the run and in coverage.
In 12 games this season, Gary has recorded 34 tackles (17 solo, six for a loss), two forced fumbles, one pass defensed, 17 QB hits, and 9.0 sacks.
What are your thoughts, Giants fans? Would you pick Rashan Gary or would you steal an entirely different player from the Packers?
[lawrence-related id=720583,720558,720556]
Packers OLB Rashan Gary got the game ball for a dominant performance on the same field where he tore his ACL a year ago.
On the same field where he tore his ACL a year ago, Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary put on a pass-rushing show and helped his team secure a signature victory in the first year of the Jordan Love era.
Gary tore his ACL on a freak play at Ford Field on Nov. 6 of last year. A year and roughly two weeks later, Gary returned to Detroit and produced three sacks of Lions quarterback Jared Goff in the Packers’ 29-22 win on Thanksgiving Day.
His first sack resulted in a fumble returned for a touchdown. His third sack forced a turnover on downs in the second half.
Gary led the way for a Packers defense that hit Goff 12 times and frequently pressured the Lions quarterback into mistakes.
Coach Matt LaFleur presented Gary, who tied a career-high with three sacks and two forced fumbles, with a game ball after the victory:
"I'm tired of crying around y'all." 😂
Rashan Gary was emotional after receiving the game ball 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/cAhUEunWcH
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 23, 2023
The Packers took down the NFC North-leading Lions on a short week and set the stage for what could be a playoff run. Green Bay has won three of the last four games and faces a manageable five-game stretch — after playing the Chiefs next Sunday — to finish the season. If Love and Gary play the way they did Thursday in Detroit, the Packers will be a tough out over the final six games.
Rashan Gary had a tremendous Thanksgiving game, and Green Bay celebrated that after the win.
The Green Bay Packers upsetting the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving came with a pretty great moment from the victor’s locker room.
After outside linebacker Rashan Gary tied his career-high three sacks in a single game against a stout Lions offensive line, Packers coach Matt LaFleur gifted Gary a very special game ball and commemorative speech after the game.
Gary tore his ACL a little more than a year ago, and he’s having a terrific comeback season for the Packers.
As he understandably did earlier in the season when he posted three sacks in his return to Lambeau Field, Gary became overwhelmed with emotion as he was given the game ball.
"I'm tired of crying around y'all." 😂
Rashan Gary was emotional after receiving the game ball 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/cAhUEunWcH
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 23, 2023
If this doesn’t warm your heart, you’re probably a Lions fan because this guy wrecked your chance at Thanksgiving redemption.
For the rest of us, this is a really neat moment for a team desperately in need for a good win.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1371]
The Green Bay Packers spoiled Thanksgiving in Detroit
A pair of defensive players came up huge on Thanksgiving as the Green Bay Packers wrecked the holiday for the Detroit Lions and their fans.
Defensive lineman Rashan Gary and DB Jonathan Edwards led the way at Ford Field in Green Bay’s 29-22 victory.
Owens had 8 solo tackles and was in on 12 overall. He had one tackle for loss and returned a fumble 27 yards for a score after a strip sack by Gary.
Owens’ wife, USA gymnastics star Simone Biles approved.
A PACKERS WIN BABY!!!!!!!!!
happy thanksgiving 🦃🍽 🍁
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) November 23, 2023
Gary was in on 7 total tackles, had 5 solo, 3 sacks, and forced 2 fumbles.
Rashan Gary returns to the stadium where he got hurt last year and has put together a career performance.
3 sacks to go along with 2 forced fumbles.
What a beast. pic.twitter.com/llmQm6XOme
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) November 23, 2023
Rashan Gary gets the sack & another fourth-down stop for the #Packers! #GBvsDET | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/pNpUyvevk1
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 23, 2023
The Lions closed within 7 on a late touchdown and 2-point conversion but Green Bay recovered the onside kick and the Packers had won three of their last four.
Sack No. 3 for @RashanAGary! 😤 #GBvsDET | #GoPackGo
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/zPTCGcH7rH
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 23, 2023
Rashan Gary suffered a shoulder injury Friday and is now questionable to play Sunday against the Chargers.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary suffered a shoulder injury during Friday’s practice and is now questionable to play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coach Matt LaFleur said the injury is not believed to be of long-term concern but Gary’s availability for Sunday is now in question.
“Unfortunately, there was a little mishap at practice. We’ll see where he’s at on Sunday,” LaFleur said Friday. “We’ll see.”
Gary had a shoulder injury coming out of Michigan in 2019 and wore protective equipment on the shoulder throughout his rookie season. It’s unclear if this new injury is related at all to the past injury.
Gary is second on the team in sacks (4.5) and first in quarterback hits (11) despite playing on a snap count for most of the first two months of the season.
If Gary can’t play, second-year edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare and first-round pick Lukas Van Ness would get more snaps opposite Preston Smith at outside linebacker.
Gary is one of four defensive starters with playing status designations entering Sunday’s showdown with Herbert. Safety Rudy Ford is doubtful, while Gary, cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Quay Walker are questionable.
Sunday against Justin Herbert and the Chargers is a game Rashan Gary needs to take over.
Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary has 34 pressures on just 176 pass-rushing snaps and a pass-rush win rate of 25.6 — second best among edge rushers to only Myles Garrett — entering Week 11. There is no question that Gary, who recently signed a $96 million contract extension, has been a consistent winner and disruptor in 2023.
The Packers may need even more from Gary on Sunday against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers, especially given the matchup Gary is expecting at right tackle.
Herbert has been excellent from clean pockets this season, completing almost 75 percent of his passes with 13 touchdown passes and only one interception when kept clean in 2023. If the Packers can’t disrupt him on Sunday, Herbert is going to be efficient and ruthlessly effective, especially considering the inexperience for the Packers in the secondary. Rookie seventh-round picks Carrington Valentine and Anthony Johnson Jr. are both expected to start.
Enter Gary.
Only one offensive lineman has allowed more sacks this season than Chargers right tackle Trey Pipkins, who will get Gary on the majority of pass-rush snaps Sunday. Pipkins has allowed six sacks, seven quarterback hits (fifth-most) and 31 total pressures (also fifth-most), per PFF.
Gary should win a handful of pass-rushes on Sunday. And when he does, he needs one or two to turn into game-changing plays. Think a third down sack. A pressure or batted pass causing an interception. A strip-sack. A hit creating an incompletion in a big spot.
This is a game Gary needs to wreck for the Chargers. How many times have the Packers — even in the late Aaron Rodgers era — played an opponent and lost because an edge rusher took over the game on the other side? Gary is just as capable of taking over as Nick Bosa, Khalil Mack, Aidan Hutchinson or Maxx Crosby.
Through nine games, Gary doesn’t have a forced fumble or a batted pass. He’s been disruptive, consistently, but his season lacks a take-over game. Sunday with Herbert in town is the perfect time for Gary to produce one.
The Packers have a couple of standout players on offense and defense.
The Chargers and Packers face off on Sunday as Los Angeles looks to bounce back from their loss to the Lions and get back into the playoff mix.
While Green Bay might be 3-6, they have some players that could pose a challenge for the Bolts.
Here are some important things to know about the Packers ahead of the Week 11 matchup with the Chargers.
The Chargers travel to face the Packers on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 10:00 a.m. PT.
To get you prepped for the Week 11 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.
Jordan Love’s first year as the Packers starting quarterback hasn’t been anything special. Through Week 10, he’s completed just 58.7% of his passes for an average of 6.7 yards per attempt and has 14 touchdowns to ten interceptions. Love will throw a nice pass to the intermediate-deep part of the field here and there, but he’s often careless with the football.
The Packers rank 21st in run offense, averaging 102.1 yards per game. Their lead back Aaron Jones has struggled with injuries this season but when he’s been on the field, he hasn’t produced. Jones is a game removed from a 2.7-yard per carry performance against the Steelers and he has yet to surpass 75 yards rushing yards in a game this season. On the other hand, Jones’ right-hand man, AJ Dillon, has picked up some of the slack, as he recently rushed nine times for 70 yards with a career-long carry of 40 yards. Dillon has averaged over 4.0 yards per carry in three of his last four games.
The Packers don’t have a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver, but they’re a very diverse group. Rookie Jayden Reed leads the crop with 417 receiving yards. Behind him is Romeo Doubs with 343 yards. Doubs leads the wideouts with six touchdowns. Christian Watson, who was expected to be a premier weapon, has dealt with injuries. While he’s limited, Watson has still been a reliable downfield threat. He is averaging a team-high 16.9 yards per catch.
The Packers’ strong suit on defense is at defending the pass. They rank seventh in the NFL, only allowing an average of 187.6 yards per game. Up front, they have some prolific pass rushers, led by Rashan Gary, who has 34 pressures and five sacks. Preston Smith and Kenny Clark also have five sacks. In the back end, they have a crop of solid coverage defenders.
Luke Musgrave. The rookie tight end has been a go-to target for Love. Musgrave ranks second on the team in receptions (29) and big plays (plays of over 20 yards) with five and third in yards (313).
