Packers’ Matt LaFleur gushes about Jahmyr Gibbs’ ‘elite’ skillset before Lions clash appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Green Bay Packers are looking confident heading into Week 7. Green Bay is 4-2 on the season and riding a three-game winning streak after struggling to start the year. However, the Packers will not be overconfident when facing an NFC North rival on Sunday.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleuris not going to underestimate Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs in Week 7. He gushed about Gibbs’ elite abilities ahead of this weekend’s matchup.
“You cannot relax for one second with this guy. … He has elite change of direction skills,” LaFleur said about Gibbs on Thursday, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
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LaFleur added that Gibbs could probably play slot receiver if Detroit asked him to.
The Packers would be wise to focus on shutting down Gibbs, who is by far the most explosive player on Detroit’s offense. Gibbs has 105 carries for 504 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through five games this year. That is on top of 27 receptions for 243 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air.
The Lions run a large chunk of their offense through the speedy running back. Once Gibbs establishes himself in a game, Detroit’s entire offense opens up. If the Packers do not put a lid on Gibbs’ production, they could be in for a real shootout.
Fortunately, the Packers looked equipped to go toe to toe with the Lions. Green Bay’s defense has been playing well recently, even with Micah Parsons still on the sideline. They should also get Josh Jacobs back this week, which could improve Green Bay’s terrible rushing attack. If the Packers can control the clock with their running game, they can suck the air out of the ball. As a result, they can slow down Gibbs by simply keeping him off the field entirely.
It will be exciting to see who comes out on top of this huge NFC North showdown on Sunday.
Packers at Lions kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Oct. 25 from Ford Field in Detroit.
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