Two Days to Kickoff: 2 Packers-Jaguars X-Factors

Beyond the obvious, here are two players who could hold key roles for Sunday’s game at cold, wet and windy Lambeau Field.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – You know the big names. The prolific combination of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams on the Green Bay Packers, and running back James Robinson and receiver D.J. Chark on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Going a bit off the beaten path, here are two more key players for Sunday’s game in what’s expected to be a miserably cold, wet and windy day at Lambeau Field.

Packers DT Montravius Adams

At the start of training camp in 2019, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine considered defensive tackle Montravius Adams an ascending player.

A third-round pick in 2017, Adams hadn’t exactly impressed Pettine when Pettine arrived in 2018.

“When I first got here and met him in the spring, my opinion wasn’t real high, and he knows that,” Pettine said in July 2019. However, Adams’ hard work and improved play changed Pettine’s perception. Pettine called Adams his “most improved [player] from a year ago.”

Those turned out to be empty words. Adams turned out to be one of the most disappointing players. He played only 31 snaps during the second half of the season. Now in his fourth season and in the final year of his rookie contract, Adams is becoming the player the Packers hoped they were getting after a strong career at Auburn and an exceptional Scouting Combine.

According to Pro Football Focus, 127 defensive tackles have played at least 50 run-defending snaps. Headed into the Week 10 games, Adams ranks 10th in that group in PFF’s run-stop percentage, a metric that essentially measures impact tackles. He’s already matched his career high with six run stops.

“There were ups and downs last year, for whatever reason,” defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery said on Wednesday. “We’re never going to make excuses for anybody. The expectation for the room is no drop-off when we put guys in the game. He’s held up his end of the bargain this year. At times last year, it was feast or famine. Just proud of what he’s doing right now. My job is to keep my foot on his neck to keep him heading in that direction. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Adams’ run-stopping ability will be key against Jacksonville. Robinson has emerged as a top back and howling winds will put a premium on the running games.

RB Chris Thompson

While rookie James Robinson ranks among the NFL’s leading rushers, veteran Chris Thompson could be a major challenge for Green Bay’s defense.

In the five seasons from 2015 through 2019, Thompson caught 227 passes for Washington. That’s an average of 45 receptions for 378 yards. This season, he’s caught 20-of-23 targeted passes for 146 yards and one touchdown. He had a season-high three first downs last week vs. Houston.

Running backs have beaten Green Bay’s coverage like a drum with 51 receptions for 473 yards and four touchdowns. That’s a league-worst 59.1 receiving yards per game. Linebacker play has been a sore spot, with injuries and COVID putting Christian Kirksey, Kamal Martin and Krys Barnes on the shelf at times. For Sunday, Barnes is out (COVID) and Kirksey (pectoral) remains on injured reserve but could be activated.

More Countdown to Kickoff

Five Days: Five Keys to the Game

Four Days: Four Views from Inside Jaguars

Three Days: Three Reasons to Worry