Not a lot of things went right for the Green Bay Packers in their 34-20 loss to the Detroit Lions. Luckily, it appeared most of the fans in attendance were Lions fans, saving Packers from witnessing the dumpster fire. The Packers have a lot of things to correct going into next week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. At the top of that list is improvement from the Green Bay Packers defensive line against the run.
Green Bay Packers Defensive Line Continues to Fail to Contain Opposing Run Game
Stopping the run has been a consistent issue for the Green Bay Packers defensive line. The issue can be traced all the way back to when Dom Capers was running the defense. Then it carried on to Mike Pettine and there it now currently sits with Joe Barry. You have to give the Packers defense that, they are consistent.
It appeared the run defense might have finally turned the corner. In their season-opening victory over the Chicago Bears, they held the Bears rushing attack to just 122 yards. It gave the Packers fans hope that, finally, they had a defense that was able to stop the run.
But that game, along with the New Orleans Saints game which they held the Saints to 77 yards, appears to be fool’s gold. First, they allowed the Atlanta Falcons, led by standout rookie Bijan Robinson, to rush for 211 yards. Then, on Thursday against the Lions, the Lions duplicated what the Falcons did and also rushed for 211 yards.
What the Lions offensive line did to the Packers defensive line should be illegal. It was a total domination, something we have never quite seen. It was like watching a Pop Warner defensive line take on an NFL offensive line.
There is a lot of blame to go around. But at this point, the Packers need to figure out why stopping the run is so difficult for their defense. The first finger should be pointed at the Packers defensive coaching staff.
Not All Falls on Barry’s Shoulders
Let’s get this out, Joe Barry shouldn’t have been hired as the Packers defensive coordinator to begin with. The Packers then doubled-down on that mistake by having Barry return this season. But you can’t put all of the blame on Barry.
Former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy hired Jerry Montgomery prior to the 2015 season. He came from the University of Oklahoma and was hired as a defensive front assistant. When Matt LaFleur was hired, Montgomery was kept and was given the new title of defensive line coach. He would continue to be the defensive line coach when LaFleur replaced Pettine with Barry. Shockingly, even with the struggles of the Packers defensive line, Montgomery was promoted prior to 2022 to run game coordinator/defensive line coach.
Excluding the Packers safety position, there hasn’t been a more underachieving unit than the Packers defensive line. It’s mind-blowing that not only has Montgomery kept his job, but that he has been given a promotion during his time with the Packers. But maybe we shouldn’t be shocked. While LaFleur deserves credit for his winning regular season record, his track record of hiring and even keeping the right coaches is at best sketchy. Montgomery is the perfect example of this.
The combination of Barry and Montgomery doesn’t give much hope that the Packers can fix their run-game defense. If they haven’t done it by now, it’s hard to see anything changing. It appears that Barry’s scheme is flawed and Montgomery can’t get the most out of his unit. Or, if that isn’t the case, it could be something that some Packers fans might not want to admit.
Interior Struggles on the Packers Defensive Line
Maybe the issue isn’t on Barry or Montgomery but instead a personnel issue. If that is the case, it will make it almost impossible for the Packers defensive line to improve this season.
Kenny Clark is one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL. But when it comes to stopping the run, he isn’t near the player he is when it comes to rushing the passer. To cover up Clark’s run defense deficiencies, he needs running mates who are stout against the run. Unfortunately, it appears the Packers might not have that.
TJ Slaton is in his third season as a professional and his first seeing starter’s time. A massive man with athletic ability you don’t see from a man that big, he has a lot of potential. But he is still learning on the job. He looks like he could become a very good run defender at the nose tackle position, but he just isn’t there yet. If things are going to get better, he is going to need to mature quickly.
Devonte Wyatt has two and a half sacks already this season, but he is struggling against the run. He struggled mightily against the Lions. Barry might be forced to play him only on passing downs and insert either Karl Brooks or Colby Wooden on run downs. Brooks was drafted as more of a pass rusher, but he has flashed potential against the run. Wooden needs to put on some weight, he is light for an interior defensive lineman.
The Packers need better play out the interior, or they will continue to struggle against the run. As of right now, all, including Clark, aren’t playiing up to the level needed.
Better Setting the Edge
Rashan Gary is already establishing himself as one of the best edge pass rushers in the NFL. He has already posted three and a half sacks this season. What makes that even more impressive is that he is still working his way back after suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2022. But he is far from an all-around dominant outside linebacker/defensive end.
There are way too many times that Gary gets caught going upfield. By doing so, he leaves massive holes for running backs to run through. He has to be better at setting the edge. Gary has the size to do so, but he needs better self-awareness. While he is still working himself back into shape from his injury, the Packers need for him to be better against the run.
Preston Smith might be in the latter part of his career and is slowing down as a pass rusher, but he is still a capable run defender. The nine-year veteran is solid setting the edge and is stout against the run. Out of all the Packers defensive linemen, he is the best against the run.
One player who could help against the run is 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. It’s going to take him some time to develop as a pass rusher, but he could be an asset in the run game. He has the ability to line up on the edge as well as the inside. At 6’5″ and 272 pounds, he has the power and ability to line up inside. With Wyatt struggling and Brooks and Wooden still developing, it might be best to get Van Ness more snaps on the inside. At this point, the Packers have nothing to lose.
Make or Break Early in the Season
It isn’t just Joe Barry and Jerry Montgomery’s jobs on the line. If the run defense continues to struggle, the Packers might be forced to make some major changes to the defensive line, either in season or in the offseason.
In today’s NFL world, the run game is the forgotten part of offensive football. While big passing yards and touchdowns are sexy, the run game is what determines the outcome of the game. That was on display last Thursday night.
The Lions offensive line had their way with the Packers defensive line. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has assembled a very young and tough offensive line. They aren’t going anywhere and it will be up to the Packers to adapt. Not just this season but also seasons to come.
Last Thursday, the Lions gave all of the Packers opponents the blueprint on how to beat them. It will now be up to Barry, Montgomery, and the defensive line to make the proper adjustments. If not, there might be quite a few houses up for sale next off-season in the Green Bay area.
Main Photo: Dan Powers – USA Today Sports
