Campbell’s absence has significantly hampered Packers run defense

By GERY WOELFEL

Something has to give.

When the Green Bay Packers play the Las Vegas Raiders tonight in Las Vegas, it’ll be an encounter between one of the NFL’s worst run defenses – the Packers – and the league’s worst rushing attack – the Raiders.

The Packers’ inability to shut down the run has been well documented, and is vividly obvious when one peruses the stats.

Entering tonight’s game, the Packers rank a dismal 31st in the league against the run. They are allowing an average of 155.3 yards per game.

There are, of course, some legitimate reasons for the Packers’ failure to contain opponents’ runners. One is the absence of veteran inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.

Campbell is a critical element to the Packers’ run defense. You just have to look back at his last two seasons in Green Bay.

Two years ago, he compiled a team-high 148 tackles and was chosen to the All-Pro first team. He was the first Packers inside linebacker to be accorded the honor since Ray Nitschke in 1966. Last season, despite missing four games, Campbell still totaled 96 tackles.

But Campbell has been hindered by an ankle injury this season. He sat out last week’s game against the Detroit Lions and has been ruled out for tonight’s game.

Another factor for the Packers’ shoddy run defense is the shoddy play of veteran defensive lineman Kenny Clark. Considered by some NFL officials as the Packers’ best defensive player, Clark is coming off a forgettable game against the Lions, one in which he registered just one tackle.

Of the Packer’ four games this season, Clark has had one above-average performance, that coming in Week 2 when he had six tackles in a 25-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Clark is unequivocally the anchor of the Packers’ defensive line. If he doesn’t perform at a high level, especially with Campbell being out, the Packers could prove the so-called odds-makers correct and lose to the 2-point favored Raiders

But I fully expect Clark to get back on track against the Raiders, who are averaging a pathetic 65.3 yards a game on the ground.

Prediction: Packers 27, Raiders 20.