The Green Bay Packers made a concerted effort in the offseason to improve their defense and so far they done just that. The Packers currently rank 13th in total defense, which includes an amazing 10th against the pass. Last year the Packers pass defense was absolutely putrid, which is why the Packers drafted defensive backs 1-2 in last April’s NFL Draft.
The Packers do rank 20th in points allowed but that shouldn’t affect NFL Betting just yet. The Packers have faced two of the best offenses in the league already in Atlanta and Dallas. Those two games account for 65 out of the 112 points the Packers have allowed in their first five games. No cause for alarm there.
The thing that is surprising is the Packers’ run defense is 22nd. Not sure what to make of that, but not having Mike Daniels for a majority of the season is certainly a factor. But with the way Blake Martinez has come on this year and with Daniels healthy I think they will get that shored up. Might even include some Clay Matthews at inside linebacker again at times. Mathews has been all over the place this year.
I have been very impressed with rookie defensive backs Kevin King and Josh Jones, but veterans Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix have also stepped their games up. Kentrell Brice has also been a pleasant surprise. He’s a hard hitter who seems to make a big play every game. Josh Hawkins, too. The secondary has some depth now, and I haven’t even mentions Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins.
The Packers will face some great offenses the rest of the season, starting with New Orleans in two weeks. They also have the Steelers, Panthers, and Lions twice after the bye. Granted, it’s not only on the defense in those games, but they do need to play good enough to keep Aaron Rodgers and crew in the game. So far I like what I see.