Against the Cardinals on Sunday, Green Bay wanted more from it’s defense. It had played well against the likes of Levis and Richardson. The Rams felt like they had more players in the hospital then on the field. Darnold and Hurts had combined for nearly seventy points. Then came Kyler and the Arizona Cardinals.

What Green Bay did to the Cards was it’s most impressive performance on the season, even if it does come with a few caveats.

Is Green Bay going to continue to generate turnovers at the rate they have? Probably not. They currently lead the league with 17, 4 more than the next closest teams. Last year they had 18 all season. So even if they fall back a bit to the mean it’s been a vast improvement so far.

What’s more encouraging though is how the team has corrected some issues from years past.

If there’s been one thing Green Bay has been know for on defense over the last decade, it would be it’s abysmal run defense. This year:

Advanced metrics aside you can see it when you watch the games. RB’s are still getting their numbers. It hasn’t been the liability it has been in years past however.

One reason for that?

The Rookies

Edgerrin Cooper leads all rookies in PFF overall defensive grades. They have him graded first among ALL players in the league at pass rushing from his position. He’s second in stops, first in sacks and has missed only one tackle.

Injuries prevented him from seeing the field early, but he’s now overtaken McDuffie for the spot next to Walker. It’s clear Green Bay is increasing his role weekly, which can only take this defense further.

The other thing that Green Bay has been trying to fix for years has been the safety room.

Ever since Nick Collins career was cut short by injury, Green Bay has been trying to find answers. It seems as though they may have found more that just one. Xavier McKinney was the offseason FA prize. Javon Bullard was the high draft pick from a championship caliber college defense.

Evan Williams though? Evan Williams is a fourth round pick that was viewed by many in the draft business as special teamer. A player that could fill in when needed, but not a reliable starter. Through six games, this is what Williams has actually been:

Williams, McKinney and Bullard might be the best safety room in the NFL right now. Since taking over in Green Bay, Brian Gutekunst has tended to address roster issues in bunches. He’s done it with the o-line and with the wide receivers, but his reimaging of the safety room may be his best work yet.

The Next Test for the Green Bay Defense

All of that being said – the defense faces an even bigger test this next week. One that it needs to pass if this unit is up for the task of a Super Bowl run. The Texans share a lot of similarities with Green Bay in where they are at right now as a franchise. They have a young promising QB, a reliable HC and a roster stacked with youth.

They’re also coming off a game where they flattened a lesser opponent. They did it the same way Green Bay has at times. By running the ball well and capitalizing on the space that opens up for their passing game.

Green Bay wins this game and is a contender. Lose and the questions will come if this is just a team that can beat up on bad teams but not step up when it matters most. A big part of that outcome will rest on this defense. If the unit from last week shows up, Green Bay has a real shot at announcing to the league, “We are here”.