Making progress in protection, Packers actually have areas to support

Completely mindful there’s still a lot of work to do on guard, Head Coach Matt LaFleur likes how unit is moving for the Packers.

On Monday, LaFleur called the Cincinnati game the guard’s best presentation of the period to date. There were various explanations behind that as the Packers held the Bengals to 367 yards in almost five quarters, permitted only 5-of-14 third-down changes, and created two focal points.

  • Inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell keeps on being a high-sway player.

Campbell tied for the foreman in handles (eight), got his group high second capture attempt of the period on the principal play of extra time, and keeps on keeping a solid administration presence in the Packers’ guard.

“Dre has been outstanding,” LaFleur said. “He’s been so consistent, making plays, being physical, he’s flying around the field. He’s wearing the green dot so he’s communicating with everybody.”

  • The rotational players front and center more than stood their ground.

One series after the regulars constrained a three-and-out in the subsequent quarter, with Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary getting a tackle for misfortune on Joe Mixon and Preston Smith terminating Joe Burrow, the top gathering chilled out.

Yet, there was no drop-off when Dean Lowry, youngster T.J. Slaton, Jonathan Garvin and La’Darius Hamilton turned in as the front four. They got a three-and-out of their own, as Lowry and Slaton joined on a sack, and consistent strain constrained an inadequate pass and Burrow scramble.

“I think we’ve done a better job up front in terms of our D-line, outside ‘backers, of rotating those guys through so that our starters can stay fresh and get great effort on every play,” LaFleur said.

Push into a more unmistakable job in the wake of second-group All-Pro Jaire Alexander’s shoulder injury, Stokes burned through the vast majority of Sunday protecting Bengals star tenderfoot wideout Ja’Marr Chase and didn’t make anything simple.

Pursue got free for the enormous 70-yard score not long before halftime on a broad breakdown, yet against Stokes, his best plays were on a few all around covered, impeccably tossed sideline passes that he challenged like a veteran corner.

“He just brings it every time he comes out on the field, every play,” LaFleur said of Green Bay’s first-round draft pick. “He’s got a short memory, whether it’s good or bad, and I just love how he’s challenging these receivers. He’s making the offense earn everything they get.”

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