Green Bay Packers look to erase long stretch of disappointing defense
This offseason, the Green Bay Packers addressed their defense in numerous ways in an attempt to erase too many years of futility.
In 2016, the Green Bay Packers were one victory away from an appearance in Super Bowl LI. But the team fell hard to the Falcons at Atlanta in the NFC title game, 44-21. And it’s somewhat interesting to note that was the last time we saw this franchise take the field for a postseason game.
One of the NFL’s proudest franchise’s last won a championship in 2010. Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the club got hot down the stretch and despite entering the playoffs as the conference’s No. 6 seed, head coach Mike McCarthy guided the club to wins at Philadelphia, at Atlanta and at Chicago before knocking off the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV in Arlington.
Rodgers was far from a one-man show in 2010 and especially in the postseason. An opportunistic defense totaled 11 sacks and the Packers returned three of the team’s 11 takeaways for touchdowns in the four-game sweep. This was a Green Bay defense that was not sturdy against the run that season but still finished fifth in the league in total yards allowed per game.
Fast forward over the past eight seasons. The Pack has yet to field a top-10 defense in terms of fewest yards allowed per game in each of those campaigns. In 2011, the club allowed the most passing yards in one season in league annals.
Regardless of the offensive numbers put up by Rodgers and company, the other side of the football has struggled to find consistency. For what it’s worth, the franchise owns a 5-6 postseason record since 2011. Green Bay has scored a combined 291 points in those contests while surrendering almost the identical amount (296) in those outings.
Back to 2010. That team allowed a total of 22 offensive touchdowns and exactly 240 points (15.0 average) in 16 regular-season contests.
Since 2011, the fewest points allowed by the Packers in one season is 323 in 2015. The club allowed 33 offensive touchdowns that year, also the fewest by Green Bay the last eight seasons. The franchise has allowed at least 40 offensive touchdowns each of the past three NFL campaigns and at least 384 points (24.0 average).
Next. NFL Power Rankings: Post-minicamp edition. dark
Yes, there’s a lot of fixing to be done if the Green Bay Packers are to claim a 14th NFL title. And general manager Brian Gutekunst was very busy these past few months, as has been well-documented. Keeping Rodgers healthy and re-establishing a ground attack are vital as well. But the turnaround on defense must start immediately if this club is to avoid a third straight losing season as well as erase its recent disappointing track record on this side of the football.