After the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears in the season opener, Aaron Rodgers proclaimed “we’ve got a defense“. It is hard to rip on Rodgers proclamation at the time. In that victory, the Bears offense was held to just three points, 228 yards passing and just 46 yards rushing. The defense not only showed toughness but showed a willingness not to allow big plays. But since then, the defense has struggled. They have had issues stopping the run, giving up big plays, and have depended on being a “bend but don’t break” defense. With so much on the line down the stretch and the playoffs on the horizon, that won’t cut it. If they are going to be true contenders, the Green Bay Packers defense will need to improve.

Green Bay Packers Defense Will Need to Improve Down the Stretch

A win is a win. That is what most are saying after the Packers beat the New York Giants 31-13 last Sunday. While the victory was a positive one, it doesn’t tell the whole story for the Green Bay Packers defense.

The Packers faced an offense that is ranked 25th in the NFL in total yards. Along with starting a rookie quarterback, Daniel Jones, the Giants were missing their top wide receiver (Golden Tate) and their top tight end (Evan Engram). While the Packers did force Jones, who was injured in the game but stayed in, to throw three interceptions, it wasn’t like the Green Bay Packers defense was suffocating.

Relying on turnovers has become the norm for this defense under Mike Pettine. Relying on turnovers is something that Packers fans should be accustomed to seeing when it comes to the Green Bay Packers defense. They dealt with it under the former defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

Dom Capers-Esque

From 2009-2017, the Green Bay Packers defense was led by longtime coordinator Dom Capers. Capers defenses relied on creating pressure, which helped create turnovers. It is similar to what you are currently seeing under Mike Pettine.

In Capers last season, 2017, as the Packers defensive coordinator, the Packers finished 17th against the run, 23rd against the pass, 20th in interceptions, 17th in sacks, and 24th in points per game allowed.

So far this season under Pettine, the Green Bay Packers defense is 25th against the run, 22nd against the pass, fifth in interceptions, 19th in sacks, and 14th in points per game allowed.

While there is an upgrade in interceptions and points per game allowed, the Pettine led Green Bay Packers defense isn’t totally different from when Capers was running that unit. Try to create pressure and hope it leads to turnovers.

For Capers, that type of effort led to much criticism and eventually it cost him his job. With producing similarly to Capers, it could lead to Pettine’s seat becoming very warm.

Given Pull and Talent

It was reported when the Green Bay Packers were searching for a new head coach that they wanted Mike Pettine to be retained. Pettine was hired by former head coach Mike McCarthy the season prior. New head coach Matt LaFleur retained Pettine, most likely with some push from the Packers front office.

Not only was Pettine kept, but he became the “head coach of the defense”. He was able to bring in his own people and he was given free rein of running the defense. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst also furnished him a plethora of talent this off-season. Something former general manager Ted Thompson failed to do for Capers.

The Packers brought in free agent safety Adrian Amos, pass rushers Za’Darius Smith, and Preston Smith. Gutekunst also spent two first-round picks on defenders, safety Darnell Savage and outside linebacker Rashan Gary in last year’s NFL draft.

Even with more pull and more talent, the Green Bay Packers defense hasn’t seen a lot of difference from last season.

As pointed out by Zach Kruse at Packerswire.com, last season the Packers finished 22nd in points allowed, 29th in takeaways, and 18th in yards allowed. Those numbers, except for the turnovers, haven’t changed too drastically this season. Even with more talent, the Packers still aren’t producing like what was expected.

Much was said about Pettine and his resume when he was hired by McCarthy before the 2018 season. Many claimed him to be a very successful defensive coordinator. But looking deeper, Pettine’s success as a defensive coordinator could have more to do with working under Rex Ryan.

The Green Bay Packers defense truly belongs to Pettine. If they falter down the stretch, it should be Pettine who has to face the music.

Still Time to Turn It Around

Even with the struggles by the Packers defense, they still have time to turn things around. But to do so, Pettine will have to get back to being more aggressive.

In their victory over the Giants, Fox Analyst Chris Spielman pointed out how soft the Packers coverage was. The Packers defensive personnel should allow for Pettine to play more aggressively. Something that they will need to do down the stretch and into the playoffs.

The Packers offense is still trying to figure out their identity. While they do that, they will need to depend on their defense. Pettine has the talent to turn things around. It will fall on his shoulders to do so. If not, expect him to receive the same type of treatment that Capers received from Packers fans.

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