Opposing quarterbacks should be very, very scared of facing the Green Bay Packers going forward.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Packers defense leads the entire NFL in quarterback pressures (44) after two weeks. Green Bay forced 16 pressures against Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears in Week 1, and a whopping 28 pressures against Kirk Cousins and the Vikings in Week 2.

No surprise, either, that outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith have been major factors. Together, the pair have 25 of the team’s 44 pressures. Za’Darius has created a league-high 15 pressures, while Preston has produced 10.

Both Smiths were offseason free agent acquisitions, signed and tasked with one job: getting after the quarterback. So far, both signings have been massive additions for a Packers defense that struggled mightily with forcing pressure last season.

Upon signing each, the Packers and GM Brian Gutekunst were banking on both players to be ascending in their career paths; to be able to step into prominent roles as key contributors for Green Bay’s defense.

In 2018, Z. Smith forced 60 pressures with the Ravens, while P. Smith forced 53 pressures with the Redskins. After just two games, both are on pace to shatter those marks.

And we can’t forget about defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who’s arguably been the best player on the entire Packers’ roster in just two short weeks. Clark has been given plenty of opportunities to rush the passer this season, and had seven pressures against the Vikings last week.

Give credit to defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, as well. Pettine’s attacking 3-4 pressure scheme has played a major part in making life hard for opposing offenses.

Thanks to Pettine’s scheme, the Packers defense has been able to win with just three or four players rushing the quarterback more often than not, which makes the amount of pressures forced even more impressive.

It’s also important to note that pressures are just as important as sacks. While they won’t necessarily count on the stat sheet, pressures have just as much impact on opposing offenses as sacks. The Packers only have six sacks this season, but they’ve done a tremendous job of affecting the quarterback.

Up next, the Packers face the Broncos in Week 3 at Lambeau Field. Green Bay should have plenty of opportunities to pressure quarterback Joe Flacco, especially because of Denver’s relatively weak offensive line.