The Green Bay Packers pass rush has a chance to get back on track this week against a Los Angeles Rams team that has struggled in pass protection.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams currently have the lowest pass blocking rating in the league and the third lowest pass blocking efficiency. For those unmoved by PFF grades, Los Angeles has given up 54 total pressures as a team, tied for sixth-most in the NFL.
The Packers need a bounce-back performance after Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, in which Sam Darnold threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns. For far too long and far too often, Darnold looked far too comfortable in the pocket.
When asked about the pass rush performance Monday, Matt LaFleur praised Minnesota’s pass protection, but said they need to do a better job when rushing just four.
“It wasn’t up to our standards, there’s no doubt about it,” LaFleur said. “Give them credit. I think they have a good offensive line, especially their tackles, they’re really good players, but I think collectively as a unit they’ve done a really good job. They did a good job using shavings on the edges. I thought the backs helped out pretty well in professional passing, so overall I didn’t think it was good enough, especially when we had four-man runs.
The Packers managed to sack Darnold twice, although each time they rushed more than four. Obviously, blitzing is necessary to keep offenses on their toes, but it can’t be the primary source of your pass rush. Rushing more than four players means you have one that leaves more players in coverage. A good attack will benefit from this. Against Green Bay, Darnold completed five of seven passes for 87 yards on a blitz. This is why the best defenses are able to disrupt the quarterback when they primarily rush four.
Of course, the Packers’ pass rush wasn’t solely responsible for the loss to the Vikings, but the defensive front’s play was definitely disappointing compared to what they did against the Tennessee Titans the week before .
In Week 3, Tennessee’s pass protection had no answer to a Green Bay pass rush that generated eight sacks and a season-high 20 pressures. This effectively won them the game, as quarterback Will Levis turned the ball over three times as a direct result of never getting comfortable.
This week, the Packers should find themselves in more favorable passing conditions against the Rams, but they need to have a way to make their passing game more sustainable moving forward. One remedy for this could be getting more production from two of their best passers.
Last year, Green Bay made Rashan Gary a top-10 highest-paid edge player, but his performance has yet to match that investment. Gary has just one sack in his last 11 games dating back to last season, while his six total pressures in 2024 rank tied for 61st among Edge Rushers, according to PFF.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who received a substantial contract extension during the offseason, is also having a slow start to the season. Clark has yet to record a single sack or QB hit in 107 passing snaps. Fortunately, Clark should have a favorable matchup this week. Rams center Beaux Limmer has given up eight pressures in the first few games, while guard Kevin Dotson has allowed seven pressures and two sacks.
Gary, on the other hand, might have more trouble in Week 5 when he lines up opposite Los Angeles’ ultra-reliable right tackle, Rob Havenstein.
But that’s just it. The Packers can’t afford to have their pass rush pitted against weaker competition. They can’t just rely on Gary and Clark either. An arsenal featuring Gary and Clark, along with Devonte Wyatt, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare, should make a significant impact each week.
Unfortunately, it appears Wyatt will miss this week with an ankle that should give Karl Brooks – another skilled passer – more opportunities.
Ultimately, while a matchup against a disappointing Rams offensive line could provide an opportunity for another big day, the Packers’ success this season depends on developing a consistent and effective pass rush, regardless of competition. .
