“Leave it all out on the field” is a common football expression that also perfectly encapsulates Lukas Van Ness’s performance in the Green Bay Packers' overtime win over the New York Jets on Sunday.
The 2023 first-round draft pick recorded 10 tackles, including three tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and four quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus tallied six pressures and seven stops, which are tackles that constitute a failure for the offense.
"I was just focused on dominating," said Van Ness, who played 54 defensive snaps after clearing concussion protocol a day prior.
"I'm drained right now," he added. "I'm exhausted, but it feels good. I laid it all out there for the team and more than anything, I just had a lot of fun today. So, it feels good to get
rewarded with that W."
Van Ness dominated and, more importantly, gave the Packers another reason to be excited when he lines up opposite fellow edge rusher Micah Parsons.
During the offseason, Parsons said Van Ness would be competing with him to be the new fan favorite. On Sunday, Van Ness showed why.
Today, we are breaking down a few of his best plays from what was a career day against the Jets.
Pass rushers love it when they can pin their ears back on third-and-long, and that's exactly what Van Ness does on this 3rd-and-13, attacking the left tackle with a bull rush. His pad level is excellent. He gets his arms extended and uses his legs to drive the tackle back. Ideally, Van Ness sheds this block a little quicker, but he finishes with a nice rip move and does a good job of wrapping up the quarterback's legs for the sack.
It's 4th-and-1, and the game is tied with less than two minutes remaining. The Jets are at midfield and decide to go for it, and it's as if Van Ness was in their offensive huddle. His eyes never leave the running back as he explodes off the ball and shoots down the line of scrimmage to make the tackle for no gain. The tight end trying to make the block stood no chance, and Van Ness' crucial run stop helped force overtime.
The game heads to overtime, and the Packers waste no time putting New York behind the sticks. On 1st-and-10, Van Ness beats the left tackle with an inside club-swim move to get a 6-yard sack. The Jets can't recover after being forced into a second-and-16 and punt a few plays later. Green Bay's offense takes care of the rest, driving 58 yards to set up Trey Smack's game-winning 26-yard attempt to secure the first win of the season.
For a player with the nickname Hercules, Van Ness' performance against the Jets was borderline heroic. He looked like a former 13th overall pick who is developing into a complete player and has the potential to become a difference-maker at one of the game's most important positions.
If he can keep this up when Parsons returns, watch out.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers Film Room: Closer look at Lukas Van Ness' breakout game vs. Jets
