After a slow start to the season, the Packers’ defence has found its feet and is playing impressively. Against the Seattle Seahawks with Russell Wilson, they even allowed no points at all. But injuries could now set back the surprisingly good defence.

Munich/Green Bay – The Green Bay Packers’ start to the 2021/2022 NFL season went thoroughly wrong. The Packers travelled to Jacksonville with high expectations, only to be humiliated by the New Orleans Saints with 3:38.

The 35-point defeat was not only the Packers’ first opening loss since 2014, but also the highest defeat in a game in which Aaron Rodgers started at quarterback for the Packers.

As a result, the Packers’ defence was criticised in addition to the weak Packers offence around Aaron Rodgers.

It was the worst possible start for new defensive coordinator Joe Barry.

Packers defence impresses in recent weeks

However, that resounding defeat turned out to be a one-time blip. Even though the Packers and their defence were not always convincing, they only allowed 28 points in a game once after that and turned the overall record to 8-2 after ten games.

What is impressive here is that the Packers defence played very well in the last three games despite well-known opponents such as the Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs or the Seattle Seahawks and took the renowned offences out of the game for long stretches, the Seahawks even conceded a “shutout” – for the first time in his NFL career Russell Wilson did not put up any points.

As a result, the Packers have allowed an average of just 11.6 points in their last five games, and no one has scored against Green Bay in the last six quarters.

Packers pros surprise

What makes the defense so strong?

For one, inside linebacker De’vondre Campbell, as well as outside linebacker Rashan Gary and nose tackle Kenny Clark, all put in strong performances to make up for the serious absences of pass rusher Za’Darius Smith and cornerback Jaire Alexander.

Campbell, for example, was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month in October thanks to his excellent performances.

However, in the game against the Seahawks, outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus suffered a biceps injury before Rashan Gary also had to go down with an arm injury. The absences of Smith and Alexander already weighed heavily, and with Gary and Mercilus out for longer periods of time, Green Bay would begin to run out of quality. Preston Smith and last year’s seventh-round pick Jonathan Garvin would have to step into the breach.

The Packers have allowed just 44 points at @LambeauField this season, the fewest allowed in the first four home games of a season since 1969 (26 points). GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/hzF18AOUat

– Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 15, 2021

Two strong opponents coming up

So whether the high for the Packers defense will last remains to be seen, as their upcoming opponents have their work cut out for them as well. The Packers face the Minnesota Vikings, who just scored 27 points against the Los Angeles Chargers, in Week 11 before facing the Los Angeles Rams at home in Lambeau Field.

Nonetheless, the performances of defensive coordinator Barry’s unit give encouragement that the Packers can continue to play uncomfortable defence with their second string. If the key players return bit by bit over the course of the season, Rodgers can rely on a top defence in the playoffs.