NFL Week 9 matchups: Can Packers' defense hold firm against Tom Brady, Patriots?

Two days after nearly handing the Los Angeles Rams their first loss of the season, the Green Bay Packers surprised many by sending Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to the Washington Redskins.

Trading away a starting safety and former Pro Bowl selection came across as an odd move for an aspiring contender. While general manager Brian Gutekunst said the franchise wasn't giving up on this campaign by parting with Clinton-Dix, the transaction left many wondering about the team's viability for the second half of the season.

How the Packers' surging fifth-ranked pass defense (221.7 yards per game allowed) handles its responsibilities in a rare showdown between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady will go a long way toward answering those lingering concerns.

The architect of that effort will be defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, a man accustomed to squaring off against Brady and Bill Belichick given his experience serving in the same position for both the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. While his aggressive units have given the Patriots passer trouble at times, Brady has come out victorious in eight of their 11 meetings (including the playoffs). 

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Blitzing Brady has historically been a dicey proposition, as the three-time MVP has repeatedly made defenses pay for trying to generate pressure with extra rushers. That could necessitate a shift in tactics for Pettine after his defense racked up five sacks and eight quarterback hits on the Rams' Jared Goff last week thanks to his frequent overload blitzes.

Interior disruptors Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark, who had two sacks against Los Angeles, might be even more important than Clay Matthews and the rest of the edge rushers, as they will be counted on to provide a push and force Brady off his spot. New England could be especially vulnerable up front with guard Shaq Mason out.

The secondary, however, will also have to hold its coverage to help the pass rush out and prevent the easy gains that Brady is routinely ready to take. Perhaps the most crucial figure for the Packers will be rookie Jaire Alexander, who had five pass breakups last week and could be tasked with containing Julian Edelman. Cornerback Tramon Williams, meanwhile, has been moved to safety and looks to get the first crack at replacing Clinton-Dix as he takes on the responsibility of handling Rob Gronkowski.

Here are four other matchups that will define Week 9 in the NFL:

Rams OT Rob Havenstein vs. Saints DE Cam Jordan

On an explosive roster dotted with stars, Havenstein might be one of the most overlooked factors in the Rams' 8-0 start. After agreeing to a four-year, $32.5 million extension in April, he has stepped up his play this season and stands as Pro Football Focus' fifth-ranked offensive tackle through the first half of the season. His biggest value has been creating openings for NFL leading rusher Todd Gurley, though his solid pass has also been solid.

Jordan, however, is one of the league's best run stoppers off the edge and has generated consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. His ability to disrupt a game should come as no surprise to the Rams, against whom he recorded two sacks last year. If Havenstein can't stave him off, Jordan could again create havoc for both Gurley and Goff. But if Los Angeles can provide proper protection, its aerial attack could make explosive strikes on the league's 28th-ranked pass defense.

Steelers WR Antonio Brown vs. Ravens CB Jimmy Smith

Plenty has changed for both Baltimore and Pittsburgh since the Ravens' 26-14 win in the teams' first meeting this season just five weeks ago. Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger were still out of sync at that point, and the four-time all-pro pass catcher recorded a relatively tame five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. In the Steelers' subsequent three-game win streak, however, he has notched 280 yards and five touchdowns.

Baltimore, meanwhile, has dropped three of its four games since that win and now is at risk of fading out of contention in the AFC North. Stopping Brown will again be the highest priority, but the Ravens might not be able to ask Marlon Humphrey to shadow the receiver for a second time given that the cornerback missed the last two weeks with a thigh injury and is listed as questionable. 

The Ravens historically have fared well with Smith matched up against Brown, winning five of the seven regular-season matchups and holding the receiver to an average of 60 yards per game in those contests. But Smith been beaten on several big plays since his return and can't afford similar slip-ups this week.

Chargers RBs Melvin Gordon vs. Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner

Gordon is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, and his status could be a crucial factor if the game is close late. Since Week 11 of last season, the Chargers are 11-0 when they have had a fourth-quarter lead. Gordon is a key figure in Los Angeles developing a finishing touch, as he is averaging 8 yards per carry in the fourth quarter this season. When he missed a Week 7 contest against the Titans, the Chargers managed just 47 yards on 16 carries and were held to their lowest scoring output (20 points) of the season.

Defensive tackle Jarran Reed and linebacker K.J. Wright are among the contributors who will try to keep the Chargers' ground game contained. But the Seahawks' defense runs through Wagner, who helped limit emerging Lions rookie running back Kerryon Johnson to 22 yards on eight carries last week.

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Cowboys WR Amari Cooper vs. Titans' secondary

On Monday night, no one in AT&T Stadium will be losing track of Cooper, the newly acquired top target for Dak Prescott. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan has outlined a significant workload for the former Raiders pass catcher, saying "we're not really easing him in." Even if Cooper doesn't immediately establish a consistent connection with Prescott, his presence could open up more opportunities for slot receiver Cole Beasley and running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was held to a season-low 34 yards on 15 carries against the Redskins in Week 7.

Tennessee's defense, meanwhile, is looking to get its house in order after giving up scoring strikes of 55 and 75 yards against the Chargers in London. The Titans rank ninth against the pass and have are tied for the fewest passing touchdowns allowed nine, but cornerback Malcolm Butler has been a significant letdown in the first season of a five-year, $61.25 million contract.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.