The other guys: Opposing players who could be a handful for the Packers in 2015
Hello? Testing. Testing. Is this thing on?
Hi. My name is Adam and I’ve spent the last five years writing for “Jersey” Al Bracco’s AllGreenBayPackers.
I had an elaborate introduction worked out for my first post,but I spiked it because ALLGBP and CHTV didn’t merge so the writers could pontificate about themselves. We merged because we’ve got a lot of thoughts,insight,knowledge,passion and opinions about the Packers,and we think our corner of the Packers independent online universe is stronger if we work together.
Here’s to a long-lasting and productive partnership. Without further adieu,let’s get to it:
A lot of Packers fans circle certain games on the schedule. Packers vs. Seahawks. Packers vs. Bears. Packers vs. Broncos. These types of games are considered marquee for one reason or another.
I circle certain games,too,but I also do something else. Before the season starts,for each of the Packers opponents,I circle a player on each team. This is a player that I think will be a challenge for the Packers to contain and will act as a measuring stick to truly judge how good the Packers are as the season progresses.
For this post,I’m going to highlight two such players for each of the Packers 13 opponents. The first will be an obvious choice,a superstar type of player who everyone recognizes and causes sleepless nights for all teams,not just the Packers.
The other will be a player that’s more under-the-radar and piques my curiosity based on how he’ll match up against the Packers.
Bears
Nobody. Because the Bears still suck.
Seachickens
CB Richard Sherman: Guy was playing with one arm and still handled Jordy Nelson in the NFC title game.
DE Michael Bennett: Mostly because he’s a good player. Partly because I thought he would’ve been a good free-agent acquisition for the Packers a few years back.
(Note to my new readers: I never refer to the Seahawks by their legal name. They are always the Seachickens to me.)
Chiefs
OLB Justin Houston: Any player with 22 sacks in a single season is scary.
WR Jeremy Maclin: No Chiefs WR has caught a touchdown since Dec. 8,2013. There’s a very real chance that streak could still be going when the Packers play the Chiefs and I don’t want my favorite team to be the one that finally allows a Chiefs wideout to catch one in the end zone.
49ers
QB Colin Kapernick: Because he owns the Packers.
RB Carlos Hyde: Mark t down,Hyde will be a stud and a big challenge for a Packers defense built to stop the pass and try to survive against the run.
Rams
No obvious superstar choices because,well,it’s the Rams.
DT Aaron Donald: It usually takes a season for young defensive linemen to figure things out. I’m worried that Donald will be hitting full stride by the time the Rams play the Packers. Linsley,Sitton and Lang better be ready (and healthy).
Chargers
QB Philip Rivers: Duh.
S Eric Weddle: Just a solid all-around player and the top-rated safety according to Pro Football Focus last season.
Broncos
QB Peyton Manning: I don’t care how old Manning is and how many of his offensive linemen get hurt. He’s scary.
CB Chris Harris,Jr.: A defensive back who can more than hold his own against one of the Packers standout wide receivers.
Panthers
LB Luke Kuechly: Sideline to sideline and up the gut,Kuechly might be the best in the business.
WR Kelvin Benjamin: There’s always at least one big,physical wide receiver who has a monster game against the Packers every season.
Lions
WR Calvin Johnson: Obviously.
LB DeAndre Levy: The best defensive player people haven’t heard of.
Vikings
RB Adrian Peterson: Dude averages 118 yards per game against the Packers. Honestly,before I looked it up,I thought it was more than that.
LB Anthony Barr: Another possible breakout second-year star,especially in Mike Zimmer’s defense.
Cowboys
WR Dez Bryant: You know he’ll be all worked up about last season’s catch-not-a-catch and he’ll probably catch 20 passes against one of the Packers rookie corners.
C Travis Frederick: If BJ Raji is ineffective and Letroy Guion regresses (or can’t stay away from the bong),Frederick will be opening up gaping holes inside all day and keeping throwing lanes open for Tony Romo.
Raiders
LB Khalil Mack: An outstanding run defender.
QB Christian Ponder: Haha. LOL. Just kidding.
Cardinals
HC Bruce Arians: You know he’ll have a gameplan ready to contain the Packers offense and exploit holes in the defense.
RB Andre Ellington: Yeah,he was banged up last season,but if he’s healthy,I can see him running free against the Packers.
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