Gary has to make his presence felt

By GERY WOELFEL

You can make a compelling case Rashan Gary is the most talented player on the Packers roster.

He is a physical specimen: He’s 6-foot 5, weighs 277 pounds, is exceptionally strong, fast and quick. He has all the physical attributes to be an impact player.

And Gary has shown that periodically over his career. This season, he fashioned an impressive pair of three-sack games, once against the Saints and once against the Lions.

Gary’s exceptional play in both of those games led to Packers wins in both games.

Unfortunately for Gary and the Packers, he hasn’t been much of a factor in the other 10 games he’s played this season. In six of those games, he didn’t register a single sack. And, if you take away his three-sack game against Detroit, he’s managed just 1½ sacks in that stretch.

It would be an understatement to say the Packers need Gary to step up his game if they have any hope of making the playoffs.

Gary certainly has to wreak havoc Sunday afternoon, when the Packers host the Buccaneers at historic Lambeau Field. The Packers are 6-7 and can ill afford a slip-up.

On the surface, at least, this game is tailor-made for Gary. The Buccaneers quarterback is Baker Mayfield and he isn’t exactly the second coming of Michael Vick.

Mayfield has limited athleticism and has been sacked 26 times this season, which puts him in the upper half in that statistical category. Against the Colts three games ago, Mayfield was sacked an insane six times.

With the Packers’ secondary still in disarray, it’ll be imperative for Gary to get in Mayfield’s grille early and often.

If Gary doesn’t keep Mayfield on edge, the Packers’ playoff ambitions could take a major hit.

Prediction: Packers 27, Buccaneers 20.