The Green Bay Packers have to press and hit Tom Brady to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC title game, making Sunday an ideal time to unleash the rising star of defense.
Rashan Gary has a real chance to be an X-factor player for the Packers against Brady.
Since Week 16, Gary is second among the top runners in total pressures (14, despite playing in only three of the four possible games) and first in fast productivity for Pro Football Focus. Perhaps his efficiency as a runner is the result of fewer snapshots and the opportunities of being a third runner behind two established starters. Or maybe Gary could make even more impact if he’s more on the field.
Over the last three games, Gary has only had 52 quick catches. About once every three rush shots, he has exerted pressure.
No doubt the Packers could repeat that ratio Sunday against Brady.
Inner pressure has long been the best way to fight Brady, who could be the best at executing subtle pockets in his pocket to avoid sliding, create space, and find throwing lanes. Dossing your pocket and limiting your ability to get into your pocket will be key, and the Packers have two players – Kenny Clark and Za’Darius Smith – able to create the necessary interruption inside.
Still, the edge pressure can’t be ruled out, not even against Brady. Remember the 2015 AFC title game again. The Denver Broncos ’expression hurt and mistreated Brady, firing him four times and hitting him 17 times. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware threw three sacks and 11 hits as pointers, and the Patriots scored just 18 points despite Brady throwing 56 times. He finished with two interceptions and a 56.4 pin, one of his worst postseason performances.
Hitting Brady 17 times may not be realistic on Sunday, but the Packers have a chance to control the game in the same way the Broncos did five years ago.
Gary, Clark, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith can be a formidable quartet as runners. This group is set to play a fantastic game on Sunday and could certainly benefit Mike Pettine’s defense to give Gary more chances to break from multiple angles, especially on obvious downhill passes when Za’Darius Smith can kick inside. He’s just been too effective doing such an important job to be a role player in the biggest game of the season.
Note that this is not just a sample size of three Gary games. Think of this amazing PFF statistic:
% Highest pressure since week 10:
1. Rashan Gary: 18.7%
2. Aaron Donald: 18.6% pic.twitter.com/HEopntahaQ– PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) January 23, 2021
In the Packers ’first meeting against the Buccaneers, Gary played only 17 snapshots in total and rushed only 10 times. He delivered one of six Packers pressures, but had not yet become a trusted member of the pass-rush. His sophomore year was delayed.
In Week 10, Gary played his second season game, with seven pressures against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since then, he has been as disturbing as Aaron Donald, creating an impressive progression for a talented young player who plays in real time in a Super Bowl contender.
In just his last two home games, Gary has run 35 times and created 13 pressures. Veteran Preston Smith could find ways to affect the game in other ways, but he only has 28 total pressures on 421 snapshots spread across 17 games.
The Packers are on the verge of the Super Bowl, but a football giant gets in their way. To improve Brady, the Packers need the best they can on the field. And Rashan Gary has certainly emerged as one of his best, especially when it comes to doing what they need most to beat Brady the Bucs. Pressure.
It’s time to throw the number 52 in the NFC title game.