The Green Bay Packers have had quite the start to this NFL season. That’s not necessarily a good thing. I guess one could describe it as being a rollercoaster ride. From the excitement of the first game of the season in Brazil to the Jordan Love injury at the end of the game to Matt LaFleur putting together a master class of a game plan against the Colts, this season has had it all. The only thing consistent this season so far is the Packers defense, consistently opportunistic.
So, I have two questions about this opportunistic defense: how have they been opportunistic and how can they continue being opportunistic?
The Packers Defense: How Have They Been Opportunistic?
So, what do I mean by opportunistic? This isn’t an indictment of the Packers defense or anything like that. Actually, it’s a compliment. That’s something that I haven’t been able to do for Green Bay’s defense in quite the while. Opportunistic means creating turnover-worthy plays and turnovers.
The Packers defense has a league high six turnovers heading into week three. Additionally, they are second in turnover differential. But that isn’t the craziest thing, no they have had even more opportunities for turnovers that they just missed out on.
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has the defense in position to make the most impact on a game by creating turnover opportunities. This has been done in multiple ways but really he has been putting his play makers in different positions to create that success. For example: Xavier McKinney.
Xavier McKinney
Safety Xavier McKinney has been used all over the field to put him in position to make impactful plays. And it seems to be working. He has lined up as the post-safety, as the strong safety, as a linebacker, and I’m pretty positive he has lined up on the defensive-line even. McKinney has Charles Woodson vibes going on right now and I love it!
But, because he has been playing all over the field, he has been an absolute play maker so far. No wonder why he is tied for the lead in the NFL with interceptions.
Coach Jeff Hafley has the guys playing aggressive and in the right positions.
The Packers Defense: How Can They Continue To Be Opportunistic?
Really, this question is pretty simple after having explained how they have been opportunistic. So, keep doing what you’re doing. Or using the old adage, “don’t fix what’s not broken.”
The one avenue which could allow for the Packers to have more opportunities is to be stouter in the run game. Per usual, Green Bay continues to have problems stopping the run. Maybe it’s just their identity but I always have an uneasy feeling when I see Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor on the schedule. Thank goodness that stretch is complete. Could you imagine if the Titans still had Derrick Henry?
Either way, hopefully the Packers can shore up that run game against the Titans and the Vikings in the next two weeks, especially the Vikings. If the Packers defense can stop the run, that’ll just force the ball to be thrown more, leading to more opportunities.
So, let’s hope the Packers defense continues to be opportunistic.
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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