The Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 38-20 in the first game of the 2023 NFL regular season. There was a great deal to love about the team from the contest, but they can only rest on their laurels for so long. Now it is time to look ahead to Green Bay’s Week Two matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons also won their Week One matchup against a divisional rival, defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-10. Like the Packers, who ran 32 running plays compared to 27 passing plays, the Falcons ran the ball more than they passed it. Their differential, though, was higher with 26 running plays compared to 18 passing.
The Green Bay Packers Defensive Line Will Be Vital to Defeating the Atlanta Falcons
Aside from Justin Fields’ nine rushes for 59 yards, the Bears’ offense ran the ball 20 times for 63 yards, an abysmal 3.15 yards per carry. In other words, the Packers’ defensive line (along with the rest of the defense) did a great job defending the run, something that it has struggled to do for, well, years.
TJ Slaton and Devonte Wyatt especially were key on the defensive line while defending the run. Each posted PFF grades over 70. The Green Bay defense as a whole posted a 80.6 run defensive grade, the fourth-best in the NFL during Week One.
The Falcons, however, have a much better running back room than the Bears. Tyler Allgeier rushed 15 times for 75 yards against the Panthers and rookie Bijan Robinson ran 10 times for 56 yards. Between the two, they averaged 5.24 yards per carry.
In other words, the Packers’ run defense is going to face a much tougher task defending the run in Atlanta than they did in Chicago. Unlike the Bears, however, the Falcons do not have a dynamically mobile quarterback. Joe Barry’s defense should be able to play less zone and stack the box more in obvious run situations.
Of course, it will take a total team effort to stop both of Atlanta’s talented backs, but it all starts up front. If Wyatt, Slaton, and Kenny Clark can continue to make life miserable on the opposing offensive linemen, the defense behind them will be able to step up as well.
This was the winning formula in Chicago. While the three big interior defenders at up blocks on the line, Preston Smith and Darnell Savage especially cleaned up would be big gains. Each of them posted run defense grades over 80.
The Green Bay Packers showcased their prowess against the Chicago Bears with a 38-20 victory in their 2023 NFL season opener. As they gear up for their Week Two face-off against the Atlanta Falcons, the spotlight is on the Packers’ defensive line, including standouts like TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, and Kenny Clark. For more in-depth analysis, updates, and team news, head over to our Green Bay Packers News section. Stay informed and cheer on the Pack!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did Devonte Wyatt do?
Devonte Wyatt made a limited impact in his rookie season, playing around 20% of defensive snaps. He was mainly sidelined by more experienced players on the depth chart. However, he showed promise in the final weeks with five pressures and two sacks in just four games.
How fast is Devonte Wyatt?
Devonte Wyatt, a defensive tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs, impresses with his speed, running an official 4.77-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. His impressive speed allows him to make impactful plays on the field.
