This. Russ has been seeing ghosts for years. For all the ice in his veins over the first 8 years of his career, he's looked particularly flincky in the last 2 or 3 when he consistently gets hit.
We have to harass him to no end. If we have to walk thr line and take a clean roughing penalty or two to rattle him, that's what we have to do. But getting guys in his face and hands up, up the middle is going to make his night harder.
The speed of our LB will make it hard for Russ to scramble. I might even have Barton spy Russ and keep containment on him if he breaks pocket. Bartons speed is wayyy underrated and he's shown a nose for being able to fill through gaps in the line.
Geno is going to have to play really well. Their secondary, above Russ and any other element of their team will be THE factor. If we can't be efficient and mistake free through the air, it will make running that much harder.
But if we can do enough to convert on 3rd and hold the ball, run it reasonably well, I think we give our D a reasonable chance to get after it.
Their Oline ain't great and I think I read somewhere that last year they had THE worst running average on 1st and 2nd down in the league.
As crazy as it is to say, I think this is a game that in a way is tailored made for a corner like Woolen. Not even sure he will start, but his ability to just mirror guys all over the field is incredible. We will need that on at least on wr when Russ starts extending plays.
Also critical will be our #3 WR. Praying to GOD Eskridge stay healthy. Their Dbs might be able to keep close enough to DK and Tyler to make it tough for Geno. But if our #3 can be an x factor... I think we can move the ball on them. And if nothing else, Friday night showed again the ridiculous speed the D Eskridge possesses. He's a matchup problem.
TE, and RBs out of the backfield will also be critical.
Overall though, hold the ball. Pass efficiently. Pressure them with D Eskridges speed. Beat the crap out of them with the run, and then take your shot if it's there.
I think the defense will be good enough if we can keep the ball and dictate the terms of play to them.