Packers defense

[RashanGary]

As it stands they rank 9th in yards, 7th in points.


Our pass rush has really taken off since Matthews came back and our secondary was getting better every game even without Matthews. Adding him in has brought it to a whole new level.

It could easily be argued that the Packers defense is playing as well as anyone outside of Seattle since Matthews return.

Is this a top 5 defense right now?

[MadScientist]

The packers defense strikes me as a little too afraid of star players to be a truly top 5 D. Whenever they are up against someone really top-notch like Brees, or Peterson or Johnson, they play timid. Like they are afraid of making mistakes and wind up getting gashed. Against the Bears, there was nobody to be afraid of, and against the Titans, they just contained the RB and let Lockart stink up the joint.

[denverYooper]

The packers defense strikes me as a little too afraid of star players to be a truly top 5 D. Whenever they are up against someone really top-notch like Brees, or Peterson or Johnson, they play timid. Like they are afraid of making mistakes and wind up getting gashed. Against the Bears, there was nobody to be afraid of, and against the Titans, they just contained the RB and let Lockart stink up the joint.

Setting aside the idea that teams aren't "afraid" of other teams and players, they beat Brees, Peterson, and Johnson's teams. Brees puts up numbers on anyone at any time. They faced AD without 2 of their best run defenders (Clay, Wilson), and they faced the Lions 2x without Clay and still beat them. How many teams don't often have at least 2 pairs of eyes on Megatron? That's not being "afraid", that's how you beat the Lions -- take away Stafford's "chuck it to Megatron play". Smart football right there, IMO.

[Pugger]

But we all have to admit this defense is light years better than last year's!