Green Bay Packers Defense Is Now Top-10 in the NFL

The Green Bay Packers are turning heads with their top-10 defense. The unit has carried them to a 3-0 start as the offense has been sluggish.

The Green Bay Packers defense hasn’t been worth talking about in years. After acquiring safety Adrian Amos and outside linebackers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, though, things are much different. The Packers are turning heads with this new-look defense.

The Packers rank first in takeaways this season with eight through three weeks. Kevin Patra, Around the NFL Writer, explains, “The last top-10 Green Bay scoring defense was 2010 (won Super Bowl XLV) — tied for third in sacks (12), number four in red zone percent allowed (33.3), and fifth in passing yards per game given up (197.3).” It’s possible that this Mike Pettine‘s 2019 defense will continue to outdo even the 2010 team. Because the defense has come up with game-changing turnovers, they’re buying Aaron Rodgers and the new offense some time. Despite the offense stuttering a bit, the Pack is sitting at 3-0.

Green Bay Packers Defense Is a Top-10 Unit

The Packers new defense wasn’t happy following the preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens where they gave up 75 yards. As a result, they had a players-only meeting to go over the tape and pinpoint any issues. Veteran Tramon Williams explained how positive and beneficial this meeting was. No one person was leading the meeting. They didn’t blame or point fingers. They came together as a defense and decided they wanted to be better.

This desire to keep improving is obvious on the field. Packers staff writer, Wes Hodkiewicz, writes that “Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, who have combined for 24 tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble and interception through three games.”

Similarly, Zach Kruse of Packers Wire tweets the following:

Zach Kruse

@zachkruse2

Number of sacks from Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith on Sunday: 5 Number of sacks from Clay Matthews and Nick Perry last season: 5

11:44 PM · Sep 22, 2019Twitter Web App

322

Retweets

2.7K

Likes

Finally, Green Bay has a pass rush worth mentioning with this unstoppable duo in Za’Darius and Preston. They bring a whole different personality and motivation to the defense. For the first time in a long time, the Pack’s defense doesn’t look sluggish.

Meanwhile, in the secondary, Jaire Alexander has been making opponent’s lives miserable. He is a master at finding ways to take away the ball. Pro Football Focus gives him an 81.4 overall rating — 12 solo tackles, two assists, one forced fumble.

Comparing 2019 Defense With Previous Seasons

Green Bay has wowed viewers with their top-notch defensive effort this year. Through the first three weeks, they are ranked second in the league behind only the New England Patriots. Let’s take a look at the Packers’ less-than-quality defense from the last three years.

The Packers’ defense over the last three seasons:

2016 – defense ranked 25th, 40 sacks, nine fumbles, 744 total tackles

2017 – defense ranked 26th, 37 sacks, 10 fumbles, 780 total tackles

2018 – defense ranked 22nd, 44 sacks, 10 fumbles, 760 total tackles

The Packers’ defense after just three games in 2019:

2019 – defense ranked second, 12 sacks, five fumbles, 127 total tackles

This season, the Packers are on pace to produce over 150 percent of the sacks, 275 percent of the fumbles, and 92 percent of the tackles of their combined 2016-2018 averages.

If Pettine’s defense can maintain this high level of production, they could just carry the team deep into the playoffs. The new offensive scheme has yet to click, but we do see signs of life. When Green Bay can finally put together a solid offense and a dependable defense, they could be unstoppable.

Having an elite, top-10 defense takes the pressure off Rodgers. For too many years, the starting quarterback has carried this team on his back. He would constantly have to be lights out with a superhuman level performance for the Packers to win. He couldn’t depend on the defense to get stops. So, he was accustomed to having to score as many points as possible. Now, he can lean on the defense if needed, which never was an option in the past.

Should this top-10 defense continue to perform as they have been, the Pack could remain undefeated for the time being. Going 4-0 in the first quarter of the season sets Green Bay up for great success— especially with two of those wins being within the NFC North.

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Kristen Sharp

I have a BA in English Literature from Indiana Wesleyan University. I have one year of technical writing experience. Since March of 2017, I have been a Copywriter, Social Media Strategist, and Marketing Consultant. I am a sports fanatic with deep love for the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Indians, and Cleveland Cavaliers. I basically eat, sleep, and breathe sports. I’ve been happily married to the wonderful Aaron Sharp since June of 2012.