This is it folks. The time for the Packers running backs to step up is officially here. Through two weeks, the Packers have run the ball 34 times for a grand total of 74 yards. That’s a whopping 2.18 yards per carry. To make matters slightly worse, Montgomery and Stanback have combined for 5 carries and 0 yards.
In week 3 the Packers look to leave Aaron Rodgers on the field for an extended period of time and, unfortunately, it comes at a time when the Packers right tackle, Bryan Bulaga, is out with an injury. With Von Miller standing opposite our backup right tackle (likely Kyle Murphy), it would be suicide to allow Rodgers to drop back and pass as often as he usually does.
Furthermore, even if Von Miller were not a factor, the Broncos have the top corner duo in the NFL in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. The way the Packers were able to carve up the Washington Redskins through the air isn’t likely to continue tonight against the Broncos.
The fact of the matter is that in all three phases of the game, the running backs will have to step up in a big way. To win jobs, to win the game, and most important for the team, protect Aaron Rodgers.
There is good news for the young backs. This is a great team to run on. For starters, they have a very long list of injuries that directly impact their ability to stop the run. At defensive line, the Broncos will be without Derek Wolfe and Jared Crick. Of the two, Derek Wolf is a big loss. He had a fantastic year last year and is looking to continue growing in his 3rd year.
At outside linebacker the Broncos are without Shaquil Barrett (hip) and Shane Ray (wrist), the only other two outside linebackers with the ability to play OLB opposite Von Miller. There is a lot of depth at the position in terms of bodies but finding a player that can match Bakhtiari is unlikely.
The Broncos top linebacker Brandon Marshall is also dealing with soreness to his Achilles and will likely see limited snaps. Behind him, Todd Davis is a capable run stopper but it isn’t likely the Broncos will find a capable number 2.
Finally, the Broncos strong safety, T.J. Ward, is not expected to play. Ward is out with a hamstring injury, leaving Justin Simmons or Will Parks, neither of which are very good against the run, to pick up the slack.
All that to say the Packers running backs will be in a prime position take the control of the game early and often. With the lack of opportunities in past weeks coupled with the poor performances and a quarterback that should touch the ball as little as possible, I would fully expect to see a lot more running than Packers fans have become accustomed to.