Through three games, the Green Bay Packers defense has been very good at keeping points off the scoreboard. Joe Barry’s group currently ranks sixth in points per game allowed and has given up a total of just 45 points, 17 of which came in the first half against Minnesota.
A key contributor to Green Bay’s success in this area has been their ability to get off the field on third downs, which has given the opponent few scoring opportunities. The Packers are allowing just two red zone trips per game, tied for the fifth-fewest in football.
Among the 32 NFL teams, the Packers defense ranks first in third-down percentage, allowing the chains to move just 22.58% of the time. Overall, the Packers’ opponents have had 31 third down attempts and have converted just seven of them.
Compared to last season, the Packers have seen a massive improvement in their third-down defense, where they finished that season ranked 24th, allowing a first down 42.52% of the time.
As far as what the biggest differences are between this year and last, LaFleur boiled it down to pressuring the quarterback, along with better success on early downs.
“Number one, you’re always talking about the rush being tied to the coverage, or vice versa, and that they are complimenting each other,” said LaFleur on Wednesday. “We’ve been able to get pressure on the quarterback, and we’re doing a nice job on the back end. I think, quite honestly, it seemed like, and I don’t know the exact numbers, but it seems like there are a lot more third and long situations for the offense, and that’s going to translate into a better third down percentage, I would say 99% of the time. So the first and second down efficiency seems to be much better than it was in the past.”
In terms of getting after the quarterback, the Packers have been among the best. As a team, Green Bay is ninth in pressure rate. Individually, Rashan Gary and Preston Smith are tied for the 12th most pressures among edge rushers with 11, while Kenny Clark’s 13 pressures are tied for third among interior defensive linemen, per PFF.
To LaFleur’s second point, the Packers’ early down success on defense has put the opposing offense in a number of third and long situations.
In 2021, the opponent’s average yards to gain on second down was 7.53 yards. This season that figure is 8.17 yards. On third down, there has been an even larger discrepancy, with the opponent’s average yards to gain going from 5.94 yards in 2021 to 8.19 yards in 2022. This, of course, makes the opponent one-dimensional and allows the Packers’ pass rush to pin their ears back.
Again, the Packers’ ability to pressure the quarterback has helped with their early down success, but so does having Jaire Alexander back in the mix and playing alongside of Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. Not to mention that the Packers have De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker at linebacker, limiting the YAC potential on many quick passes.
LaFleur also mentioned the pass rush and the back-end coverage complementing each other well. I believe in that regard, there is something to be said for the added continuity this defense has, now in its second season under defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
As is the case with every other team, there are areas that need to be improved, and Green Bay will face more challenging offenses as the season progresses. With that said, at the end of the day, this Packers’ defense is keeping points off the board, and in large part, that’s because they are keeping the opposing offense off the field by limiting their third-down success.
