Green Bay Packers: Run Defense Remains Very Unstable

The Green Bay Packers 31-23 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday was not without flaw as the run defense did little quiet doubters. With Letroy Guion and Datone Jones suspended, a thin defensive line paired with poor fundamentals allowed the Bears to tilt the clock in their favor through the first three quarters.

ALSO ON SPIN ZONE: The top-50 NFL wide receivers in 2015

Matt Forte was the star of the show, but the Green Bay Packers wrote his lines. Forte rushed 24 times for 144 yards and a touchdown, adding five receptions for 25 yards out of the backfield. If the Packers forced him inside, their tackling would fail them. If B.J. Raji or an interior rush linebacker was able to push Forte to the outside, the ends and outside linebackers often failed to set a strong edge. He went where he wanted, when he wanted.

For sanity’s sake, let’s breeze past the 31 rushing yards allowed to Jay Cutler and focus in on the damage done from the running back position alone. With Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles scheduled over the next two weeks, things won’t be getting any easier.

The Packers’ troubles are twofold, and until both issues are fixed simultaneously, we’ll be having this conversation each weak. Their most prominent issue on Sunday was positioning, especially from the second level, as linebackers consistently stuck to blocks and allowed the Chicago offensive line to set up gaping cut back lanes for the veteran Forte.

Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Schematically speaking, defensive coordinator Dom Capers got a long look at what doesn’t work in game one. Perhaps there’s a silver lining in that. The usage of Clay Matthews will be interesting to track, as well, though I don’t believe that it was problematic this week. Matthews opened in the game at inside linebacker in Green Bay’s “Big Okie” package, where safety Sean Richardson replaces the slot cornerback. He remained at the inside spot for all 11 plays on the opening drive/

Once the positioning has been addressed, Green Bay will still need to improve their tackling fundamentals, something that has long plagued Packers’ defenses. As two-yard holes are turned into six-yard gains by whiffed arm tackles, that’s valuable time ticking off the clock that could be better used by Aaron Rodgers and the offense.

It’s week one, yes, but the Packers didn’t move in a positive direction with this facet of their club. The “bend, but don’t break” philosophy was at play, and is something that’s served opportunistic Packers’ units well in the past. Something needs to change, though, and in 2015, it won’t be as simple as moving Clay Matthews.

Next: James Jones the offensive focus early for Packers

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Green Bay Packers