Losing Micah Parsons to a torn ACL may have torpedoed the Packers‘ chances both at a home playoff game and maybe even at making a run at the Super Bowl, but against the Baltimore Ravens one of the players coordinator Jeff Hafley most needs to step up, certainly made his presence felt.
Despite Green Bay, not being able to slow Derrick Henry, or keep him from running roughshod for four touchdowns and a season-high 216 yards, the Packers’ pass rush found a way to generate some consistent pressure on Ravens quarterback Snoop Huntley in a 41-24 loss.
Lukas Van Ness steps up for Packers
If the Packers are going to have any hopes of advancing in the postseason, the pass rush is going to need to lead the charge for Hafley’s defense.
Against the Ravens, EDGE Lukas Van Ness answered the bell, emerging as Gren Bay’s highest-rated defender, according to Pro Football Focus, garnering a stellar 89.6 overall grade in 47 snaps.
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Van Ness posted six total tackles against the Ravens, but along with Rashan Gary will play a starring role in the Pcakers’ pass rush when the playoffs kickoff.
This season, Van Ness has 1.5 sacks, and 23 total pressures. He’ll need to be more consistently disruptive if Green Bay is going to make up for the lost production and havoc Parsons is able to create, against playoff caliber offenses in the weeks ahead.
