GREEN BAY – So, can the Packers' pass rushers really pin their ears back this week? Or can't they?
Through the first two weeks of the season, Green Bay's defense has recorded just three sacks, partly out of necessity.
The pass-rush plan against two dual-threat quarterbacks in Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts and Indianapolis' Anthony Richardson was designed to keep them in the pocket and not allow them to do significant damage with their legs. Rush to sack? No. Rush to contain.
Statistically, for the most part, it worked. Hurts and Richardson combined for just 70 yards rushing in Weeks 1-2, and 51 of those came in the fourth quarters on late-game drives. Through the first three quarters of both games, the Packers held two running QBs to a combined 19 rushing yards.
That's a job well done, especially when considering just two years ago the Packers allowed Hurts to dominate on the ground with 157 rushing yards, including 126 in the first half when the tone was set.
But Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kenny Clark, et al, must be itching to let it rip. Gary even confessed after the Colts game it can get frustrating as a pass rusher to not go all-out after the quarterback at times, but the game plan takes precedence.
Those guys up front have been lauded for their discipline by the coaches, and soon enough they'll be looking to be set free, to seek rewards. This week in Tennessee may not be the right time and place, though.
While Titans QB Will Levis is not a dual threat in the same sense as Hurts or Richardson, there are other factors to consider.
First, he can scramble out of trouble. He has been sacked seven times in two games, but he's also taken off from the pocket for gains of 9, 13 and 21 yards. Plus, he picked up 15 on a designed QB keeper, too, posting 74 rushing yards total against the Bears and Jets.
"I think you've got to be careful with Will Levis," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "He is fully capable of moving the chains with his legs."
Second, Levis may be more inclined to tuck and run than ever before. In turning the ball over five times thus far in 2024 (three INTs, two lost fumbles), Levis has been guilty of trying to be Superman and make something out of nothing, to his team's detriment. Titans coach Brian Callahan has minced no words that he expects better decisions and ball security.
So if Levis will be telling himself not to force anything, his response might be to look to scramble when his early reads aren't there. He may be more hesitant to take a chance, less hesitant to just take off.
How exactly do the Packers view the matchup then?
"I think there's give and take," defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. "If you look at him, he's a guy who can run. Regardless of who you play, you've got to be aware of who's back there.
"Do we want to cut it loose more? Absolutely. I want to cut it loose every play if we can. I'd love to do that. It's just you can't be reckless either."
And therein lies the rub Sunday in Nashville. Levis is the one who's been reckless when under a lot of pressure, and the Packers need to keep him uncomfortable and, hopefully, keep him turning the ball over.
But a balance must be struck, it would seem, with this particular opponent at this particular time. Get after him, but don't throw all caution to the wind.
"Yeah, we have to be aggressive and there's times where we need to be more aggressive," Hafley said. "But then there's times where we've got to make sure we do our job and make sure we don't have guys popping out on us and running for 30 yards on a key third down in the game."
The next couple of weeks, against less mobile QBs like Minnesota's Sam Darnold and LA's Matthew Stafford, might lend itself to a more traditional pass rush. The Packers would rather turn the page now, but they can't be overanxious.
The teamwork on display in the first two weeks must continue, even if the overall plan is a tad less restrained. That's where the pass rush might find the happy medium against Levis and the Titans.
"You've got to be coordinated, and I think the best rushes in this league are typically that," LaFleur said. "They work together, you've got four guys working as one. That's usually when your rush is the best."
