The Green Bay Packers surprised everybody last Saturday.
Jaire Alexander, one of the Green Bay Packers’ most important players, has been out with an ankle injury since last weekend’s huge wild card upset win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Alexander, a past pro bowler, second-team All-Pro, and the highest-paid cornerback in football, has had his playing status revealed just a few hours after the game against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Bridget Condon.
What Does Jaire Alexander Mean for the Packers’ Defense?
The Packers have traditionally struggled on defense, particularly throughout the team’s own ‘Common Era’ of Favre, Rodgers, and now Jordan Love. Green Bay has consistently failed to build a top-tier defense despite spending nearly all of their top draft money on the defensive side of the ball.
Alexander, in addition to receiving the aforementioned awards, has established himself as one of the NFL’s elite and only genuine ‘lockdown cornerback’.
Jaire Alexander and the Packers face a tough task on Saturday night.
Against a star-studded 49ers offense that includes Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel, having only one effective cornerback will be insufficient to halt the powerhouse 49ers attack.
However, having Jaire as an extra component in what has been an over-performing bunch in his absence, with Carrington Vallentine, Keisean Nixon, and Corey Ballentine holding down the fort magnificently, gives the Pack a better chance of slowing, if not stopping, the 49ers.
The 49ers are heavy favorites in Sunday showdown in Santa Clara, with Green Bay hovering around 10 points behind. It should be another amazing divisional round day and a fantastic Saturday.
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