The Green Bay Packers must press and hit Tom Brady to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC title game, making Sunday an ideal time to unleash the emerging star of defense.
Rashan Gary has a real chance to be an X-factor player for the Packers against Brady.
As of Week 16, Gary is second among top players in total pressure (14, despite having played in only three of the four possible games) and first in passing productivity, according to Pro Football Focus. Perhaps its rusher efficiency is the result of a smaller number of snaps and the opportunities it entails to be a third edge rusher behind two established starters. Or maybe Gary could make an even bigger impact if he’s more on the field.
In the last three games, Gary has only 52 photos. About once every three passing moments, he put pressure.
The Packers could certainly use a repeat of that report Sunday against Brady.
Inner pressure has long been the best way to fight Brady, who could be the best of all time in performing subtle pocket movements to avoid edge rushers, create space, and find throwing lanes. . The collapse of his pocket and the limitation of his ability to step into his pocket will be essential, and the Packers have two players – Kenny Clark and Za’Darius Smith – able to create the necessary interruption inside.
However, the margin pressure cannot be reduced, even against Brady. Remember back in the 2015 AFC title game. Denver Broncos’ rush defeated and beat Brady, fired him four times and hit him 17 times. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware delivered three sacks and 11 hits as sideline players, and the Patriots scored just 18 points, despite Brady throwing 56 times. He finished with two interceptions and a pass rating of 56.4, one of the worst performances of the postseason.
Hitting Brady 17 times may not be realistic on Sunday, but Packers’ move has a chance to control the game, as the Broncos did five years ago.
Gary, Clark, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith can be a formidable four as players. This group has a great game to play on Sunday and could certainly benefit from Mike Pettine’s defense to give Gary more chances to break from several angles, especially in obvious passing when Za’Darius Smith can kick. He was too efficient in doing such an important job to become a role player in the biggest game of the season.
Remember, this is not just a sample size of three games from Gary. Consider these amazing PFF statistics:
Highest pressure% of week 10:
1. Rashan Gary – 18.7%
2. Aaron Donald – 18.6% pic.twitter.com/HEopntahaQ– PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) January 23, 2021
In the Packers’ first game against the Buccaneers, Gary played only 17 total shots and rushed only 10 times. He gave one of the six pressures of the packers, but had not yet become a trusted member of the passage. His second year jump was delayed.
In the 10th week, Gary had the game in the second peak season, putting seven pressures against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since then, he has been as disruptive as Aaron Donald, every time, creating an amazing progression for a talented young player who plays in real time on a competitor in the Super Bowl.
In the last two home games, Gary rushed 35 times and created 13 pressures. Veteran Preston Smith could find ways to influence the game in other ways, but he has only 28 total pressures over 421 speed catches spread across 17 games.
The Packers are on the verge of the Super Bowl, but a football giant is in their way. To beat Brady, the Packers need the best on the field. And Rashan Gary has undoubtedly emerged as one of the best of them, especially in terms of doing the one thing they need most to beat Brady Bucs. Pressure.
It’s time to unleash the number 52 in the NFC game.