Packers run defense faces new test against dynamic Cardinals offense

Paul Bretl | 10/10/2024

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers defense will have to contend with one of the more efficient rushing offenses this weekend, taking on the Arizona Cardinals, which features running back James Conner and quarterback Kyler Murray.

As a collective unit, the Cardinals are averaging 5.5 yards per rush this season, which is the third-best mark in football through five weeks. An explosive run is categorized as a rush of 10 or more yards. The Cardinals have 21 of those–the most in the NFL–and their explosive run play rate of 16.5 percent is also a league-best.

“I mean you gotta pick and choose how aggressive you’re gonna be on early downs,” said Jeff Hafely, “but we wanna win those early downs so we get ourselves in those situations on second. I know we’ve played better against the run and we’re continuing to improve that way.”

Leading the way for the Cardinals in terms of carries is Conner. On the season, Conner has carried the ball 82 times and is averaging 4.6 yards per attempt with three scores. Among all running backs, Conner ranks fifth in missed tackles forced, according to PFF, has the second-most rushes of 10-plus yards, and is tied for fifth in rushes of at least 15 yards.

“Conner, he’s a beast,” said Matt LaFleur on Wednesday. “He’s a big physical back that is more elusive than he leads on just in terms of, for a bigger guy.”

On the year, the Packers’ play against the run has been mixed. Outside of Jonathan Taylor, who routinely ripped off some chunk runs, the Packers, for the most part, contained Saquon Barkley, Aaron Jones, and Kyren Williams, but each back also generated a carry or two of at least 15 yards.

The 4.4 yards per attempt that Green Bay is allowing ranks right in the middle of the league at 16th. The 12 explosive rushes that the Packers have surrendered is right about in the middle as well.

In Jeff Hafley’s system, which primarily features four down linemen versus at least five blockers, gap integrity will, as always, remain crucial, along with the ability to flow with the gap as it moves. In addition to that, the play of the defenders at the second level to fill any gaps that do appear will be paramount as well. There has to be order and a coordinated effort amongst the defensive front in how they rush so running lanes don’t open up.

“Typically what we’re trying to do is get guys in the backfield to own their gap through their man,” said defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich. “So if they’re aligned as  3-technique on the outside part of the guard, it’s his job as you go through the outside part of that guard and own the B-gap in between the outside part of the guard and the inside part of the tackle.

“So wherever that gap moves he’s gotta move a along it and then that allows the guys behind it to obviously scrape, get over top, get downhill, and fill the gaps that they have to fill.”

The challenge for the Packers doesn’t stop there, however, they also have to be hyper-aware of Murray and his ability to extend plays once outside of the pocket. As a ball carrier, Murray is averaging 10.7 yards per rush on 23 attempts this season. Those 247 rushing yards are the third-most among quarterbacks and Murray also has the second-most rushes of 10 or more yards.

Individually, both Conner and Murray will create problems for opposing defenses, but the Cardinals are also deliberate about their usage of RPOs and zone reads–all added stressors for the opponent, who are forced to read-and-react on the fly and sometimes all it takes is a slight hesitation that can result in a big play.

“You’ve got Kyler Murray who is able to, whether it’s a zone read that he takes to the house for 50 yards or whatever it was or just trying to contain him in the passing game, you’ve got to defend for a long time when he’s got the ball in his hands because he can throw within the timing of the pass, of the play, or he can go off schedule,” LaFleur said.

In the first two weeks of the season, the Packers faced Jalen Hurts and Anthony Richardson and took a more controlled pass-rush approach in those two games in an effort to keep those quarterbacks in the pocket. For the most part, the Packers were able to do that, limiting Richardson to only 37 rushing yards and Hurts to 33 yards.

Of course, LaFleur wasn’t going to delve into the specifics of whether or not the Packers would approach this game in a similar manner, but sound tackling, all 11 defenders swarming to the football, and the defensive front being disciplined with their rush lanes, along with rushing Murray as a collective group in unison will be at a premium.

“You’ve got to be smart,” LaFleur said. “You’ve got to be smart when you’re going against a quarterback of this caliber in terms of he can make you look really silly really fast. And if you give him huge rush lanes, he’s going to take advantage of it. Like I said he can beat you with his legs, he can beat you with his arm. I think he’s got a lot of talented players around him. I think they’re really doing a nice job, so it’s going to be a great test for our football team.”

The potential downside of this defensive approach, as we saw in Weeks 1 and 2, is that while you may keep the quarterback in the pocket, it makes getting consistent pressure more difficult. This then results in the quarterback having time in the pocket and puts added stress on the secondary, who has to be in coverage longer.

Murray has been a very efficient passer, completing 68 percent of his throws with seven touchdowns to just two interceptions. He’s also been willing to push the ball downfield, ranking eighth in percentage of pass attempts of at least 20-plus yards.

Cardinals rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has already showcased his big-play abilities, averaging nearly 17.0 yards per reception with four touchdowns. Tight end Trey McBride has also been a go-to target of Murray’s.

“Tremendous challenge,” said LaFleur of Harrison. “I think he’s just, he’s a long physical receiver that is capable of making great plays down the field. What’s scary is he still learning the NFL game, so I think he’s going to be a star in this league for a really long time.”

Oftentimes, success for just about any defense begins with limiting the offense’s ability in the run game. In general, when an offense can find success on the ground, there’s a positive trickle-down effect to the rest of the unit. This creates short down-and-distance situations, opening up the entire playbook for the offense and forcing the defense to defend the whole field.

On the flip side, struggles in the run game puts the offense in predictable passing situations where the defense has the advantage–both from a pass rush and coverage standpoint.

“We showed the guys a bunch of clips of him just making multiple defenders miss in the pocket and his ability to create and extend and make those off schedule, chunks down the field,” LaFleur said of Murray. “He’s extremely dangerous. He’s probably playing as good as he’s ever played. I think he really looks good, so it’s going to be a great test for our defense.”