Is Anthony Belton Ready For Myles Garrett?

Not every team has a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL. They are few and far between. The Green Bay Packers pulled off a heist when they acquired Micah Parsons, a player who fits that description.

On Sunday, the Packers will face another one-man demolition squad in Myles Garrett. Because of that, Anthony Belton may end up playing a huge role in how this game is decided.

If it sounds like a stretch to suggest one offensive lineman in particular can significantly affect the outcome of an NFL game, then I’d suggest you go rewatch the Super Bowl from last February.

Zach Tom and Aaron Banks missed Week 2, and their statuses for Week 3 remain somewhat bleak, shoving Belton into the spotlight. He had his fair share of struggles in the preseason. The rookie second-round pick was called for five penalties in a single half against the Indianapolis Colts.

Belton wasn't expected to play a significant role this early in the season, but multiple injuries to the O-line changed that. In Week 3, he may see Garrett lined up across from him.

Garrett has 10 quarterback pressures, six tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, and 3.5 sacks in two weeks. In other words, Garrett is doing Garrett things.

Belton hasn't allowed a single quarterback pressure after logging 51 snaps against the Washington Commanders last Thursday. Of those 51, 28 were pass-blocking snaps.

However, Belton was tagged for an early holding call that wiped a touchdown off the board. Head coach Matt LaFleur alternated between Belton and Darian Kinnard in the first half. In the second half, they stuck with Belton.

It wasn't an entirely clean process. It's somewhat surprising to see that PFF didn't have Belton allowing a pressure because it seemed damn close on a few occasions. He will need to be sharper against Garrett on Sunday, or else the superstar defensive end could destroy this game for Green Bay pretty much by himself.

LaFleur sounded confident in what he saw from Belton on Thursday night.

It'd be crazy for the Packers to put Belton on an island against Garrett for most of the game. Regardless of what you think Belton can become, he's a rookie who wasn't expecting to play this early in the season, let alone start at right tackle — let alone against one of the NFL’s marquee defenders.

LaFleur knows exactly what's on the other side of the ball on Sunday, so you can expect the Packers to pay Garrett plenty of attention.

Even with some help, Belton will have to deliver. Jeff Hafley's defense showed in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions and against Washington in Week 2 just how critical a disruptive pass rush can be in determining the outcome of a game. Neither Jared Goff nor Jayden Daniels was able to get into a rhythm against what's been a ferocious pass-rushing unit to start the year for the Packers.

Like Parsons, Garrett can single-handedly tilt an outcome, and the Packers know that. They'll need Belton to find that consistency, which is something the rookie mentioned he's still hammering home.

That opportunity came Belton's way last Thursday. Washington's front is formidable, but Garrett is a completely different monster. Getting reps in live game action last Thursday could serve Belton well in anticipation of Sunday. Had the injuries to Banks and Tom happened entering Week 3, would the Packers even be rolling with Belton at right tackle?

Now that they've seen 51 snaps (54 if you count the three in garbage time against the Lions), there's a little more comfort in putting Belton at right tackle against the Browns. But don't fool yourself, that one matchup — or that matchup, plus help in the form of a tight end or a running back in pass protection — will dictate the level of success the Packers offense has on Sunday.

The Baltimore Ravens worked Cleveland to the tune of 41-17. Most of that damage came in the second half; it was a 10-3 game at halftime. The Packers can't overlook this defense. This is the same unit that held the Cincinnati Bengals to seven total yards of offense in the second half in Week 1, and that was with Joe Burrow under center.

Obviously, most fans keep their eye on the ball when they’re watching a game. On Sunday, go ahead and peek over at the Belton-Garrett matchup once in a while. It will play a major role in determining the game's outcome.