The Defense - Again, the Defense :(

[Carolina_Packer]

I'm encouraged by the improvement shown. Should they make the playoffs, which is currently looking very promising, I don't think the bend but don't break stuff is going to cut it. I will be highly encouraged about this team's chances this year if they can consistently stop the run, which will mean more favorable down and distance to allow them to bring pressure more successfully. If Dallas can fix their defense in one year, so can the Packers.

[3irty1]

I am still concerned with the lack of stoutness on the defensive line. What will happen when a team with a good offensive line decides to run the ball through the middle? How will NASCAR help then?

Those teams are going to get more Pyrrhic victories than actual victories. That's bringing a knife to a gun fight.

But even in those cases good safety play has made it viable to play 8 in the box when its called for. In the most obvious of the obvious of run situations, 3rd or 4th and very short, I think the defense has been a pleasant surprise. Seems like most of those have gone our way.

[denverYooper]

Don't look now but the defense is T10 in PPG allowed

And they gave up ~21 points in garbage time.

[3irty1]

Don't look now but the defense is T10 in PPG allowed

The defense has been even better than their ranking. They've played an entire game of garbage time at this point.

[Bretsky]

Don't look now but the defense is T10 in PPG allowed

Wist will be here anytime to sing the praises of Dom

[Joemailman]

Packers defense is on pace to give up just 41 passing plays of 20+ yards and 2 passing plays of 40+ yards. Last year was 61 and 8. 2011 was 71 and 10. 2010 was 44 and 8.

An improved pass rush is a factor, but I think it's mostly improved safety play.

[pbmax]

Wist will be here anytime to sing the praises of Dom

wist would like NASCAR on passing downs. He still probably not in favor of nickel even if run D has had an uptick.

[George Cumby]

Packers defense is on pace to give up just 41 passing plays of 20+ yards and 2 passing plays of 40+ yards. Last year was 61 and 8. 2011 was 71 and 10. 2010 was 44 and 8.

An improved pass rush is a factor, but I think it's mostly improved safety play.

Burnett is a different player this year. How many times did we see him in some discussion with another DB last year after giving up a big play?

I think there is something to the theory that he was trying to do too much last year/didn't trust the help/was flat out scared by his partner.

[smuggler]

Isn't this Burnie's 4th season? That was about when the light went on for Collins. If only Burnett could play the ball like Nickie the Pick.... but he's a better tackler, which is a decent consolation...

[Guiness]

Isn't this Burnie's 4th season? That was about when the light went on for Collins. If only Burnett could play the ball like Nickie the Pick.... but he's a better tackler, which is a decent consolation...

It's his 5th season. IR'd his rookie year, but played well (and played all 16 games) in years 2 and 3. Got a nice new contract. Year 4 (last year) was bad and some thought he was the second coming of Cletius Hunt

[denverYooper]

Packers defense is on pace to give up just 41 passing plays of 20+ yards and 2 passing plays of 40+ yards. Last year was 61 and 8. 2011 was 71 and 10. 2010 was 44 and 8.

An improved pass rush is a factor, but I think it's mostly improved safety play.

Ha ha! Clinton Dix!

We've hashed (Hasean'd) this out a bunch of times here, it seems but they seem to have some stability back there for the first time since Collins.

The DL + OLBs also look improved. I think the growth of a few guys, the addition of Peppers, the surprising emergence of Guion latetly, and health has helped that unit as well. So where they had leaks at all 3 levels last year, they have now have 2 of those 3 functioning competently.

[Guiness]

I'm happy with how the DL is playing, but seeing Pickett out there for the Texans made me wonder why the Pack didn't sign him when Raji went down. He looked pretty effective, and was staying on the field a lot.

Nice to see Guin playing, and I hope he holds the fort while they find out if Pennel can take over. I just don't have much faith in a guy who's been in the league for 7 years and is just now playing well. Maybe being behind the Williams Wall prevented him from getting an opportunities he needed?

[Pugger]

Packers defense is on pace to give up just 41 passing plays of 20+ yards and 2 passing plays of 40+ yards. Last year was 61 and 8. 2011 was 71 and 10. 2010 was 44 and 8.

An improved pass rush is a factor, but I think it's mostly improved safety play.

I'd say its a combination of both.

[Guiness]

I'd say its a combination of both.

It's a chicken egg question.

[gbgary]

it's the runs up the middle that seem to bother me the most. everything else I'm good with.