{"id":74099,"date":"2019-10-03T15:36:51","date_gmt":"2019-10-03T19:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=74099"},"modified":"2021-03-14T15:25:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T19:25:08","slug":"the-2019-green-bay-packers-through-four-weeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/10\/03\/the-2019-green-bay-packers-through-four-weeks\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2019 Green Bay Packers Through Four Weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2019 Green Bay Packers<\/a> have had quite the opening to the season that we’re not accustomed to seeing out of them. This past summer, general manager Brian Gutekunst<\/strong> was active in bringing free agents on defense to finally create a defensive team reminiscent of their Super Bowl run nine seasons ago.<\/p>\n

Whether you’re a veteran fan or a newcomer, it’s no surprise that this team has always been led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

And, rightfully so.<\/p>\n

The Packers have been blessed to have a quarterback that has shouldered a heavy burden of bad Packers teams in the past with his incredible play. You look at certain teams across the league, and if you were to remove their starting quarterback, you’d probably go, “well, their season is over.”<\/p>\n

Which was a true statement for the Packers not that long ago when Rodgers sustained heavy injuries such as the broken collarbone in 2017 or the knee injury in 2018. This is a team that relies heavily on Rodgers year in and year out.<\/p>\n

Now? Perhaps that won’t need to be the case in 2019, and for Packers fans, moving into seasons beyond. Rodgers will turn 36 in December and Gutenkunst will have to think about their next quarterback in the not-too-distant future. Even if you’re Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>, you will hang up the cleats at some point.<\/p>\n

But when you start to create an identity on defense that has really started to shine, then you look at recent Super Bowl teams that held their own on defense in crucial moments. Again — something the Packers haven’t been known for in the regular season or the playoffs. All I have to type is the “NFC Championship game” and your heart should already begin to hurt.<\/p>\n

Acquiring Za’Darius Smith<\/a><\/strong> and Preston Smith<\/a> <\/strong>via free agency — who is now known as Super Smith Bros.<\/em> — drafting rookie safety Darnell Savage<\/a><\/strong>, taking away a huge defensive weapon from the Chicago Bears<\/a> in Adrian Amos<\/a><\/strong>, and having a rising defensive stud in Jaire Alexander<\/a><\/strong>, the Packers haven’t had this much talent on defense in a long, LONG time.<\/p>\n

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The #Packers<\/a>' Jaire Alexander may be the NFL's next shutdown CB \ud83d\udcc8 <\/p>\n

PFF Senior Analyst Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) takes a look at his ELITE play so far this season. \u2b07\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/UVssggrBza<\/a><\/p>\n

— PFF (@PFF) September 26, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n