The Green Bay Packers will be in the primetime spotlight again in Week 5 as they head to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Monday Night Football. After sustaining a slew of injuries to key starters, the team is hopeful to have some of their guys back in the fold. Matt LaFleur announced that LG Elgton Jenkins will be back after spraining his MCL against Atlanta in Week 2. The Packers also expect the return of their all-pro CB Jaire Alexander who has been dealing with a back injury. Another CB that could be back for Green Bay is Eric Stokes. Stokes returned to practice this week after a long offseason of rehab regarding the foot injury that ended his 2022 season early. S Rudy Ford and RB Aaron Jones are also listed as questionable but are expected to be available. The Packers are aiming to bounce back from an embarrassing loss at home in their previous game against the Lions. Before tonight’s matchup, lets analyze the 3 keys to victory for Green Bay.
1 – Starting Fast Offensively:
In each of Green Bay’s first 4 games, the offense has stumbled out of the gate. A month into the season, this is a trend that has to change if the Packers want a chance of winning this contest. The Packers defense is going to have its hands full as they face the NFL’s reigning rushing leader Josh Jacobs. Oh yeah, the Raiders also have another talented guy named Davante Adams- who the Packers know far too well. If Green Bay’s offense once again struggles in the 1st half tonight, there is a high probability that things could become very ugly. Luckily for the Packers, Las Vegas’ defense hasn’t been great to start 2023, so if there’s an opportunity for the offense to start fast then this game is it. I would assume that with an extra 4 days of preparation, Green Bay should come out firing on all cylinders.
2 – Stopping The Run:
The Packers defense under coordinator Joe Barry has had one consistent blemish under his tenure, which is the inability to stop the run. They face a huge challenge on Monday night as they go against Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 1,653 yards and 12 TD’s in 2022. He has had a lackluster start in 2023, but if there is a defensive unit that he could exploit with his talents, it is Green Bay’s. If the Packers are able to find a way to force the Raiders into being pass heavy with QB Jimmy Garoppolo, that could greatly benefit them in tonight’s game. Green Bay is going to need their front seven to step up, as LB De’Vondre Campbell has been ruled out as he deals with a lingering ankle injury. After getting gashed last week, the Packers said that they are going to be doing things differently with their run defense. Here’s to hoping that whatever they decided to change ends up working out for them tonight.
3 – Limiting Davante Adams:
Green Bay is going to see a familiar face tonight in WR Davante Adams. The four-time Pro Bowler out of Fresno State was traded to the Raiders on March 17th, 2022 for 1st and 2nd-round picks in the 2022 draft. Green Bay used said picks to acquire LB Quay Walker and WR Christian Watson. Adams is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, but is expected to suit up against his former team. Now, let me get this clear: there is nobody on this planet who can shut down Davante Adams. He is far too talented, and is easily regarded as the best at his position. However, if there is anyone who can limit his production to a certain degree, it is Jaire Alexander. There is no doubt that he is going to have his hands full, but he went up against Adams every day in practice for four years, so he should know what to expect. The respect is mutual between the two, and it bodes to be a matchup to watch.