Cory's Corner: You Can Rely On Packers' Defense

Green Bay's defensive unit doesn't have the popularity, but they all pull together for each other. 

The theme that you’re going to hear ad nauseam this week is the quality of the 49ers defense. I admit, the 49ers front seven is some of the best in the league. That crew wrecks a lot of what opposing offenses try to do. 

San Francisco was eighth in quarterback hits this year with 103, while being 29th in blitz percentage at 19.8. Basically, the 49ers can make quarterbacks uncomfortable without using a lot of effort. 

But when it comes to team defense, the Packers have been one of the best at reliability. The reason why this defense has been much better than defenses of the past few years is because everybody knows their job. Nobody is trying to play hero ball and everybody is trying to achieve the same goal.

Case in point is tackles. Remember when tackling was a terrible looking wart that nobody wanted to look at? There isn’t a lot of hand tackling with this unit and it’s proven with the second-least total of missed tackles at 88. 

And that’s all due to the man in the middle. De’Vondre Campbell made everyone’s jaw hit the floor with a career year. The sixth-year inside linebacker had a career year by allowing  a passer rating of 74.9 with a missed tackle percentage of just 2.7 percent. Amazingly, he wasn’t chosen for the Pro Bowl, but proved his worth with a first-team All Pro selection, which also proves how important the inside linebacker position is. 

The other player that has been vital to Green Bay’s defensive success has been Rashan Gary. After having a good sophomore season last year, he improved by leaps and bounds this year and really broke out. Gary totaled 20 hurries and 10 sacks. Gary was also one of two Packers — along with Tyler Lancaster — with a missed tackle percentage of zero. Think about that. Gary played 63 percent of the defensive snaps and still didn’t have one missed tackle. 

Reliability is the reason the Packers are here. You can count on these guys to always do their job. Even Kevin King, which has been the butt of jokes among many Packers fans, has a missed tackle percentage of 3.3. And Rasul Douglas, who proved to everyone that he deserves a lucrative contract ASAP, has the third-lowest passer rating against with a 44.5. 

It’s tremendous that Za’Darius Smith and Jaire Alexander will be returning after lengthy injuries. But the strength of this unit this season has been the sum of its parts. 

There aren’t a lot of teams that can beat an unbeaten team in the desert with a player that was picked up off Arizona’s practice squad. 

A lot of the credit goes to defensive coordinator Joe Barry, but credit also goes to the drive and determination of each person on defense. The Packers didn’t have Smith for 17 games, but still tallied 41 sacks. Dean Lowry had a career-high six sacks and Preston Smith tied his second-highest sack total of his career with nine. 

The Packers didn’t have one defensive player that collected even close to as many Pro Bowl votes as Bosa. He may have led the NFC in voting but none of that matters. 

The Packers really came together as a defensive unit this year. They trusted each other, relied on each other and became a real team. And the simple reason is because they didn’t have a choice. With all of the injuries and absences, if they weren’t marching in the same direction, this team would’ve been sunk weeks ago. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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13 points
 

Comments (61)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Todd's picture

January 18, 2022 at 06:18 am

Good article Corey. Defense definitely seems to have improved this year, but a big concern remains: they’ve given up an average of 27+ points per game over the last 7 games of the season. Fingers crossed that the defense gets back to playing like they were in the middle of the season.

11 points
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murf7777's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:36 am

Stats can be misleading at times. Let’s take a look at those last 7 games. In the Cleveland and the Rams game they gave up meaningless 4th quarter points and the Detroit game, I don’t look at as a true game of how the defense will play.

What I do see with Smith, Mercilus (don’t underestimate his importance) and Alexander back is a defense that will be extremely tough to beat in the playoffs. On all levels this defense has top pro bowl type of players. Pass rush….check, tackling….check, coverage….check and best of all, big play ability….check. On paper, this should be the best D in the playoffs.

After watching LA play this weekend I think they will go to TB and put enough pressure onto Tampa Tommy to win the game. Against SF, Rodgers led offense will score points. I believe we will scheme to stop the SF run game, and make Grappollo beat us. He won’t be able to do that. We will get 2 or 3 INT’s or fumbles , and blow out SF providing sweet revenge, send them packing and out of the playoffs.

That brings us to LA vs GB. In that game, once again I think our D will shine. We will shut down their run game, cover their wideouts and put the necessary pressure onto Stafford where he will throw into coverage and allow us to get TO’s. GB will win by 7+ and move onto the SB. GPG.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:08 am

I always liked optimists!

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murf7777's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:26 am

Thanks Croat, I believe I’m a realistic optimist, but just maybe with GB I lean more to just an optimist:) I’m so stoked to watch this D with the additions of Alexander, Z and Mercilus…..oh my, that’s scary to prepare for on any opponent.

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dobber's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:16 am

"A pessimist is just an optimist with more information."

--Eeyore.

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Coldworld's picture

January 18, 2022 at 11:39 am

“‘Rabbit’s clever,’ said Pooh thoughtfully.’ ‘Yes,’ said Piglet, ‘Rabbit has Brain.’ There was a long silence. ‘I suppose,’ said Pooh, ‘that that’s why he never understands anything.‘”

Winnie the Pooh and Piglet.

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Bitternotsour's picture

January 18, 2022 at 06:30 pm

Let's not discount the weather. Deebo Samuel has been a revelation as a running threat, but he hasn't been hit in negative degree conditions. It's doubtful he has ever played in real cold. Winter in WI is no joke as most of you can attest. Deebo is no AJ Dillon. The weather is one of the reasons I fled the state. One good stick. One loose handle.

If Garoppolo plays, you can pretty much discount long throws. He also doesn't react well to pressure. Bring the noise. Pack by 20.

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jannes bjornson's picture

January 18, 2022 at 07:42 pm

He must be accounted for at all times. He is all heart, not afraid of contact or weather.

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NickPerry's picture

January 18, 2022 at 06:45 am

After the final game of the regular season MLF let his defense have it and rightfully so. I for one was happy to hear LaFleur let his defense have it instead of sidestepping the issue or pointing out the parts they did well instead of all the glaring issues that happened on the field.

For the first time in MANY years I feel this defense can make the necessary stops when it matters most. They've DID it several times this year when they ad to, and they did it without some of the NFL's best at their respective positions. The Packers medical staff is more conservative than I can stand most times. It seems players are always held out longer than they needed to be out. So to have Smith and Alexander practicing and at least looking like they play Saturday night is a HUGE deal. Getting Bakhtiari and Meyers back against Detroit and playing snaps was even bigger, especially against the 49ers and Bucs or Rams in the NFCCG.

Smith and Alexander don't have to start, not this week. But I think the ENERGY that it will bring this team on Saturday night will be tremendous. Saturday night demons are going to be put to rest, and it will happen in convincing fashion. Remember that asskicking the Vikings got on week 16? Well that SAME asskicking is coming on Saturday for the 49ers and Debo and it's going to be a blast to watch.

#12 Quarters to go! (Soon to be 8 quarters)

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Coldworld's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:47 am

I’m amazed at the fear of SF. Is Deebo so much better than Jones and Adams? Does Mitchell make Dillon look like a mouse? Is their rush really so much better than ours? Is it truly impossible to run on a team that’s given up an average of 4 ypc over the season? Is Rodgers really not much of an asset over Jimmy G? Which secondary would you all take if the two?

Apparently for some this should be a nail biter. They have got better than week 3. By inference I assume we have not. Strange, but they’ve only lost one game in 7, well excluding a game played with no scheme and mostly back ups we’ve lost 3 all season, 2 with Rodgers.

Get over it people. The only way we lose this on paper is if we come out unprepared or with a game plan as idiotic and negative as we did in last year’s championship game and Rodgers also has a bad day.

If I’m wrong, we really need to end the discussion of LaFleur for Coach of the Year being deserved and just let Rodgers go. If our roster is as weak as so many fear, then Rodgers isn’t worth it and LaFleur is a false dawn. Of course I think that’s rubbish. Get a grip and try thinking about how they feel about taking us on. If you can’t believe in this roster there’s a good chance that you never will believe in any future one.

1 points
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Guam's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:22 am

I am less concerned about SF than I am about the Packers coming out flat or at least starting very slowly due to the layoff. Emotionally unprepared should never happen in the playoffs, but it does. That issue is directly on Lafleur and the team leaders (Rodgers et al). If the Packers come out prepared to play, they should win this game going away.

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NickPerry's picture

January 18, 2022 at 05:43 pm

"I am less concerned about SF than I am about the Packers coming out flat or at least starting very slowly due to the layoff. Emotionally unprepared should never happen in the playoffs, but it does."

AND...The Packers haver given you EVERY REASON to believe they'll start out slow since they have most games. Against the 49ers earlier it was one of the games they started faster, up 17-0 and a phantom PI cost them points IIRC.

BUT...I honestly believe this team is going to come out with fire and just kick the living crap out of Jimmy G and the 49ers. This IS our year and I think we'll see a glimpse just how much so on Saturday Night!

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 18, 2022 at 07:49 pm

Campbell and Stokes brought this defense to life. Big additions. Big Contributors. Savage on the safety blitz 4-5 times; BArry should use his speed to rattle Jimmy G and let Jaire roam free to the ball.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 18, 2022 at 01:20 pm

Ta dah. Nailed it. I love our chances.

2 points
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Starrbrite's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:39 pm

I’m with you Coldworld and Tundraboy. Let’s pound’em and put this rest.

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Turophile's picture

January 19, 2022 at 03:37 am

@NickPerry. I disagree with just this one point you made (the rest I pretty much agree with).
"The Packers medical staff is more conservative than I can stand most times. It seems players are always held out longer than they needed to be out."

What message does that send to players ? That the Packers are an organisation that cares about its players. sure it can be frustrating at time when we wait an extra week for someone's return, but that caution also has an invisible benefit in how players feel about the team they are on and the care taken to keep/get them, fit.

You never want to see a situation like happened with RGIII when he went on the field with a clearly unstable knee. If you have to sit on one side or the other of Occam's razor, I'm glad the Packers are on the cautious side - it's an indicator of a quality team that will not pressure or over-rule its own medical staff.

1 points
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Crankbait's picture

January 19, 2022 at 05:26 am

Shanahan ruined RGlll's. carreer.

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gkarl's picture

January 18, 2022 at 07:25 am

The tackling has improved this year with one exception, Savage, I would have though he missed 88 tackles all by himself. We need to be prepared for the all the mis-direction SF uses. Need Gary and P Smith to hold the edge this week. I'm more confident in our D than I have been in a long time and it will be nice boost to get back some of our better players, even if they are limited. GPG.

4 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 18, 2022 at 07:54 pm

Looks like they want Anderson to be ready to bring some beef off the P squad and rotate Keke on the pass sets, good plan. I would have SIX D-linemen active for this contest.

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 18, 2022 at 07:36 am

While the defense wasn't as great down the stretch as it was earlier in the year, they still can shut people down and create turnovers.

The Lions game was concerning no question. That being said they were missing their QB of the defense. Also, you could just tell they didn't have much to play for. The Lions had everything to play for. So I'm not overly concerned with that game.

The great part is we will be getting some key players back. Campbell will be back (from the Lions game). Kingsley will be back (i think this is one of the most underrated players to be coming back).
Oh, and then they will be getting Z, Mercilus and Alexander back. For a defense that has been trending downward from the middle of the season, these are some very key players they will be getting back. I don't expect a lot from these players, but at the very least if they can be on a rotation, they should provide a bit of a boost.

This all being said, the keys to this game is Packers defense has to capitalize on any turnover opportunities. The offense needs to come away with TD's in the red zone. They can't settle for FG's and let the 49ers linger. And win the turnover battle.

5 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:41 am

This D is good when Barry gets the game strategy right in my opinion. He struggles when he misidentifies the threat. He changes the emphasis week on week, which is good. He got Huntley wrong (but Huntley was much better than expected and much better outside than in). He got stick for letting fields run, but was that really a risk? I think it was an acceptable consequence of his approach.

The 49ers are a rush led team. Like us they have a mobile threat and one who goes up the middle mostly. They have a QB who struggles with accuracy and going deep, but thrives if he can throw into spaces cleared by the run focus of his opponents.

The recipe on D is simple, if Deebo is in the backfield contain, funnel him up the middle. If not, move JG, he’s much worse in motion. Then let our CBS play tight so JG has tight windows, not open players. The result is likely interceptions. We have the CBs and Campbell to do that. This should be obvious to Barry. He’s been very good in such situations.

-1 points
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jlc1's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:41 am

Generally on target Coldworld but you do not mention Kittle at all. That they beat the Cowboys leaving him out of the offense suggests that if the Pack stops the run then Shanahan can turn to Kittle to advance the ball and that is a good scheme for them too. With the D focused on the run then he gets open more readily. Go Pack Go!

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:50 am

Big fan of Kittle, so I don’t underestimate him. I just left him out to avoid having to address more aspects of our D and a treatise.

-2 points
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Starrbrite's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:48 pm

I like it Coldworld.
Jlc1 is right about Kittle, but I see our pass rush making it very difficult for Jimmy G., especially in the cold. And he’s not Kapernick, so I can’t see him hurting us with his legs. I envision two INT’s.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 18, 2022 at 07:55 pm

Bring the Energy of the KC game. Barnes was on fire. No Hug Zone!...Dominate!

2 points
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Pierre's picture

January 18, 2022 at 07:45 am

My concern is the Packers D being able to stop the 49ers running game. Mitchell did not play in the first game and is one tough runner. Deebo is a beast to bring down after a catch as his YAC is way up there. Rodgers is going to have to covert scoring drives into TD’s early and often for the Packers to win this one the way Matthew Stafford did against the Cardinals. Really challenging game for Green Bay and once again, so much will be based on Rodgers playing QB better than he has done previously in the playoffs.

9 points
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MITM's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:36 am

Exactly, this praise of the defense is premature if the 49ers run all over us.

1 points
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Crankbait's picture

January 19, 2022 at 05:32 am

Rogers has a lot of demons to exorcise in this game. If he is on we win easily.

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Guam's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:07 am

Adding Keke to the DL rotation, Z. Smith and Mercilus to the OLB rotation and Alexander to the CB nickel and dime formations will give the Packer defense considerably more depth and talent than they have had in recent weeks. That coupled with an extra week of rest and recovery at this stage of the season should help our defense. Conversely, SF is coming off back to back physical games with LAR and Dallas and is banged up on defense. Bosa and Warner are game time decisions and Willis got nicked up in Dallas.

No excuses. Win this game.

9 points
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PatrickGB's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:12 am

We almost lost the last game to an inferior version of the same team we face Saturday. This game will be the toughest test for our front seven. They have an offense that can run the ball well and the weather will be a non factor unless Jimmy decides to throw the ball. Stay disciplined and pressure the QB while limiting the run are keys to coming out with a win. Oh and that #12 Rodgers guy needs to keep them on defense a lot.

8 points
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murf7777's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:17 am

Patrick…I agree the run game is what we need to stop. GB needs to scheme to do just that. Regarding, if Jimmy decides to throw the ball should be more like….If Jimmy has to throw the ball. If we get a two score lead and/or 3rd and longs he will have no choice but to throw it. The weather is a factor, especially when Jimmy G. hasn’t played in those conditions. Think about it, he isn’t the most accurate passer, now put 10- degree temps with 12 MPH winds and how do you think he will be? My prediction, if GB controls the run and puts them into 3rd and long, GB will blow them out. They have the players to do just that, now go an execute.

I think this is the best D that Rodgers has ever had around him. This team should go to the SB.

2 points
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PeteK's picture

January 18, 2022 at 11:54 am

Add to that Jimmy G's injured hand and shoulder.

0 points
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jurp's picture

January 18, 2022 at 05:16 pm

I didn't know he was injured. I sure as heck hope that MLF and his coaches have done some planning for Lance. Yeah, he's a rookie, but I still remember that kid coming off the bench for Chicago in the NFCCG and almost leading them to a win. It seems we always play poorly against backups...

0 points
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wildbill's picture

January 18, 2022 at 11:49 am

The 49ers play a very physical game on both offense and defense. This usually gives us trouble, as it does most teams.
We have to set a physical tone ourselves at the start of the game IMO, which will help us more than the weather

6 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:19 am

I will be honest the inconsistencies of the defense scares me. Not quite as much against the 49's, but against teams like the Rams, Buccaneers, and Buffalo.

6 points
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Starrbrite's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:49 am

I like the way you put it Cory, “this defense success is based in the sun of its parts.”
NickPerry’s comments has me fired up for the game.
I also agree with PatrickGB that the weather will be a non-factor for SF unless Jimmy G is forced to become their focal point.

2 points
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Starrbrite's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:52 am

Sorry- “SUM of its parts.”
I cannot type via my cellphone—Geesh!

0 points
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croatpackfan's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:16 am

It is better to be "THE SUM OF ITS PARTS" than "THE SUM OF ALL FEARS", surely.

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JohnnyLogan's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:17 am

This article is a bit over the top in its praise of the Packer defense.

There are some really good players on the Packer D; Clark, Campbell, Gary, P. Smith, Amos... of course Jaire and Z if they play... and some decent players; Savage, Douglas, Lowry... so this should be a pretty good defense. But it isn't, not if you look at the numbers over the past couple of months. In fact, over the last two months, it's been one of the worst.

If not for some miraculous plays by Rasul Douglas and some nail-biting wins engineered by Rodgers the record would be quite different.

In the last seven games, the D gave up 27 points per game. Take out the Vikings game where the depleted Vikings only scored 10, and the D gave up almost 29 per game. That's really bad defense.

The only explanation can be Barry. LaFleur is well aware of the problems on D based on his comments over the past few weeks so the remaining question is... does Barry know how to coordinate? Having confidence in the players is one thing. Having confidence in a DC who hasn't shown an ability to scheme or adapt, where players are still lost in the secondary, CBs who play ten yards deep when six are needed for a first down, and where opposing teams march downfield late in games for easy scores, is disheartening and worrying.

I honestly believe this will be another case of the Packers having to score at least 30 plus in each playoff game to make it to the SB. The offense is good enough but it sure would be nice to have a defense you had more confidence in.

4 points
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murf7777's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:38 am

In my mind, you will see Z, Alexander and Mercilus play and make a big difference to this D. They’ve already practiced and it is the playoffs, there is no way they are sitting. These players have all made the pro-bowl and are difference makers, especially Z and Alexander. I also really like Mercilus in the games he played. Can you imagine being an OC and having to figure out the holes in this defense when you don’t even know which players are playing and where. Examples are where will Alexander play, will he play the slot or outside? How will they use Z and Mercilus with Preston, Gary, Lowry and Clark? This game is a nightmare for the OC of the SF 49’rs.

1 points
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JohnnyLogan's picture

January 18, 2022 at 11:08 am

Again, you're talking about players and not the DC. Admittedly we have some great players, but if they're put in bad situations; CBs constantly playing off the ball for instance, or DEs backing up into coverage to cover running backs or TEs as P. Smith is often asked to do, or three-man rushes while the secondary is in zone... the greatness of the players is then negated.

I just don't have full trust that Barry knows what to do with the talent.

1 points
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HarryHodag's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:33 am

Nearly everyone blew off the loss to Detroit. "Didn't count", they said. I was more than a bit disturbed by the ease at which one of the league's worst teams scored. Even in a 'doesn't count' game, giving up 37 points is not acceptable and Matt LF was right to unload on them.

I'm sure there was a lesson learned. But I echo the feelings of some who think a performance like that against the league's better teams is a recipe for disaster. When you have an offense like Green Bay has all you need is a couple of stops per half and a shut down or two in the red zone and you should be on the winning side.

Factor the layoff in as well. Green Bay is a slow-starting team. If the hot 49'ers get ahead it could spell trouble. Dallas is no slouch and we saw them take care of business.

The Shanahan factor is also in play. Shanahan is every bit(maybe more) motivated to win this year. They have the smell of the Giants team that came into Green Bay and shut down a very good Packers team.

I'm not saying the Packers can't win. I am saying the Packers need to play a perfect game, especially on defense.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:20 am

Why do we have to play a perfect game on defense?

If our offense protects the ball and chews the clock (both areas where we are #1 in the league) and puts 24 points on the board, we'll almost certainly win. But if our offense uncharacteristically fails to do that, then it really decreases our chances for success. Both of our playoff losses under LaFleur have featured multiple offensive errors like turnovers and a below average offensive output.

I don't think that's going to happen this year, frankly, but if it does, I think it's unrealistic to expect the Packers to hold a good offensive team under 24.

This is the Last Dance. An MVP QB and a HOF pitch and catch combo with Adams. Excellent backfield in Jones and Dillon. An offensive line that has gotten it done all year. We're going as far as the offense takes us.

6 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:12 pm

Six of the eleven starters and depth pieces on defense are One Picks, they better show up and perform. There is never an excuse for a soft D, especially in the Playoffs. Barry best have his crew ready to do some damage. The offense won't carry the day.

0 points
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Starrbrite's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:52 pm

Yes—exactly, why do we have to play a perfect game?

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:12 am

I've thought we had a pretty good defense for 3 years now. From the opener against Chicago in 2019, after which ARod said "We have a defense!'through to the shut out against Seattle, and everything in between, I've thought we've done pretty well. It always kind of riles me up when the guys at the end of the bar start shouting "PATHETIC" (their favorite word for our defense) every time we give up a score, or a good play, or even consecutive first downs.

Our defense starts with our offense. The offense is excellent at staying on the field, not turning it over and putting the defense on a shortfield, and putting enough points up that teams feel they have to try to keep up. All that benefits the team before the defense steps on the field.

Defensively. all of Gutekunsts efforts have been directed at two things

----Covering guys. Amos in FA. Drafting Alexander, Savage, and Stokes (and Jackson). Resigning King for this season. Finding guys like Rasul Douglas.

-----Edge Pressure. The Smiths in Free Agency, right away. Drafting Gary.

These are the spots where the Packers have spent their resources on defense. It's obviously what's important to Gutekunst/LaFleur. Most games in the NFL come down to a final possession or two and the ball is going to be in the air, so defense starts with pass defense, and that starts with guys who can cover and generate pressure.

Now, here's Math: The best RBs average 5.0 yards/carry. An Average QB averages 7.0 yards per attempt. Why do you want them to throw? So we can give up a big play? No. If teams are content to try to grind up 75 yards on the ground on 15 play drives, fine. It won't happen that way, of course, because offenses stop themselves all the time. A penalty, a missed assignment, an unnecessary incomplete pass......you have to be a really good offense to run 10 consecutive plays without screwing up and stopping yourselves.

But no, we want a dominating run stuffing defense, so that teams will throw a lot against our backup corners. We'd rather risk big chunk plays than give up the ground yardage. I'm an Old School guy, but this strikes me as insane. Let them grind, if they can. Most teams can't. Stop them when the opportunity arises.

There's a gajillion different measures of defense, but in the end, it's points that count, and the Packers have been consistently better than average in that regard for three years. They hold a wide majority of teams under the league average of around 24. They have a good drive success rate.

3 points
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flackcatcher's picture

January 18, 2022 at 04:27 pm

Yeah! What you said LH. My biggest gripe with MLF, is how he deflects from his bad decisions in game. Young HC gets a pass for a couple of years, but Lafleur is now a veteran HC, and that kind of blame shifting doesn't pass the smell test. That crap with Pettine, when it was clear that the defense had stuffed Tampa in the second half and forced turnovers. (The none call on high neck blocks was outright criminal) And now Barry, when he knew they were running a very basic defense for the final game. It's a bad look that Lafleur better fix, he's not a rookie in this league anymore.

-3 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

January 18, 2022 at 11:24 pm

Always love your comments Leatherhead, however in order for the Packers to make the SB the defense is going to need to play better. It is as simple as that! How many times has ARod and the Packers been in the playoffs and how many Lombardi trophies have they won?

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 19, 2022 at 10:09 pm

We’ll, in 2011, we had four turnovers.
In 2014, the league’s leading offense underperformed.
In 2020, we had the league’s best offense, and it turned it over twice and under performed.

0 points
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egbertsouse's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:18 am

GB’s big advantage is at QB. If Jimmy G has to win the game, the Packers have a good chance. If Jimmy only has to throw 15 times, 10 of which are 5 yard tosses to Debo that he turns to big gains, then it’s 2019 all over.

I don’t think Z, Mercilus, or Jaire will have much impact, the D will have to dance with who brung them to the ball.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:25 am

If you go to pro-football-reference.com and compare, the SF offense and the Packer offense compare pretty equally. We have a significant edge in taking care of the ball and throwing TDs, which is the Rodgers over Jimmy G advantage.

I expect a tough game, actually, but we should win this. If not, and it's Rodgers last game in Green Bay, then that'll be part of his legacy. He knows that, and I expect a really solid offensive performance against SF. We should hit 30.

5 points
5
0
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

January 18, 2022 at 11:25 pm

Agreed!

Possible last game for Rodgers, Adams, and Cobb! These guys are going to ball out!

0 points
0
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PeteK's picture

January 18, 2022 at 12:04 pm

Jaire should have an impact especially in coverage as he has been practicing the longest. Keke coming back is also a boost for our front rotation.

0 points
1
1
jannes bjornson's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:19 pm

One of these games he might connect with Aiyuk on the Deep ball. Best be ready and a that means Savage.

0 points
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MITM's picture

January 18, 2022 at 10:37 am

We are about to findout if we can rely on this defense or not. The 49ers were the last team i wanted to see this week.

3 points
6
3
splitpea1's picture

January 18, 2022 at 11:33 am

I think this game boils down to how well our lines play on both sides of the ball. We do a good job protecting Rodgers and we've won half the battle. Our DL holds it own (obviously needing to play much better than a couple of years ago) and frees up the LBs to roam around, make plays, and harass Jimmy G., then we win the entire battle. By keeping SF relatively in check on first and second downs, we have Jimmy right were we want him....Oh, and the back end has to keep Kittle in front of them.

It will be interesting to see the personnel usage and combinations of DL used by Barry.

6 points
6
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 18, 2022 at 08:21 pm

More heavy fronts on the D. Bring heat, don't wait in a pickett line to be turned and cut.

3 points
3
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Lphill's picture

January 18, 2022 at 11:39 am

It’s super bowl or bust, except for some here that are happy just making the playoffs.

-1 points
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8
dobber's picture

January 18, 2022 at 02:27 pm

boom...boom...boom...

Still bangin' that drum.

1 points
2
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Avrumi's picture

January 18, 2022 at 02:59 pm

𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 $𝟏𝟒𝟎 𝐭𝐨 $𝟒𝟓𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞. 𝐈 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝟑 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐢𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 $𝟐𝟒𝟔𝟓𝟐 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 .

𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄,,..,,... 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗝𝗼𝗯𝟮𝟰𝟳.𝗰𝗼𝗺

-1 points
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Oppy's picture

January 18, 2022 at 09:00 pm

Side note about defending the 49ers

Don't know if Mercilus is anywhere near sniffing the field even though he's practicing, but he's not a bad run defender at OLB.

Might be helpful if he's active. I just don't think he'll be active. But who knows.

2 points
2
0