The Green Bay Packers know there are certain things they just can’t do with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs on the field.
Coming off a monster game where Gibbs burned the New York Giants for 264 all-purpose yards, the third-year running back continues to show he’s one of the best in the NFL.
And with a major NFC North matchup between the Packers and Lions lined up for Thursday, Green Bay knows going against him requires an added level of preparation and discipline during the game.
“This can’t be a game where a linebacker is just going to say, ‘I’m going to go underneath a block and take a shot’ because if you don’t make the play, (Gibbs) might score,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said Tuesday.
“There’s times when I’m OK with people doing that and you don’t want to over-coach some things, but this is a game where you have to be really fundamentally sound against him and you better be where you’re supposed to be and you better run to the ball because this guy, as you saw last week in overtime and in earlier periods of that game, this guy can go 80 like that.”
Hafley stressed ahead of the Thanksgiving matchup that the Packers’ defense needs to be keyed in on their assignments. If a player is meant to cover up the “B” gap — the area between a guard and a tackle — that’s where Hafley needs them to be.
For as much as Green Bay features a play-making defense with a lot of weapons, Gibbs is the kind of player that can kill the slightest miscue.
“If you’re on the backside and you can’t run up the field, you got to squeeze back and and make sure there’s no huge holes in our rush lanes,” Hafley said. “Because if he cuts the ball back…and you’re not there, there’s a chance he can score because he’s that fast. You have to be extremely sound and extremely disciplined.”
Gibbs’ speed continues to baffle defenses as he ran for a 69-yard touchdown against the Giants where he reached a top speed of 22.17 mph.
That was the fourth-fastest speed by a ball carrier this season, according to NextGenStats. He owns two of the other four top speeds this season, with only Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor having one in the mix.
But just as dangerous as his speed is his versatility.
Gibbs had 11 catches against New York and while he only managed 45 yards, he was doing most of his work off short passes and screens. He ranks fifth in the NFL for yards after catch this season.
The Packers know they have to be prepared to see him lining up as a receiver, because he can do just as much damage in the air. It makes him a special type of threat to a defense and why teams have to change what they’re doing to try and stop him.
“I think he’s become one of the, if not the, premier back in the league right now,” Hafley said. “He’s really good and it will be a challenge and it’s one that we’ll be ready for.”
