On paper, the Green Bay Packers have a Super Bowl-caliber defense. They have a stacked roster, added a top pass rusher, and have a good assistant coach in charge. That’s why it was so surprising to see them fail to contain the Dallas Cowboys. With that in mind, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report named the Packers’ defense as one of the biggest losers of Week 4.
The Packers entered the 2021 season with high expectations for their defense. Led by defensive coordinator Joe Barry, the team made several key additions in the offseason, including signing pass rusher Za’Darius Smith and drafting cornerback Eric Stokes in the first round. With a strong core of players and a talented coaching staff, the Packers’ defense seemed poised for success.
However, in their Week 4 matchup against the Cowboys, the Packers’ defense struggled to contain the explosive Dallas offense. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown. The Packers’ defense was unable to generate any pressure on Prescott, allowing him to pick apart their secondary.
This performance was a major disappointment for the Packers, who had been touted as having one of the best defenses in the league. It was a stark contrast to their previous game against the San Francisco 49ers, where they held the high-powered offense to just 17 points. So, what went wrong for the Packers’ defense against the Cowboys?
One of the main issues was the lack of pass rush. Despite having a talented group of pass rushers, the Packers were unable to generate any pressure on Prescott. This allowed him to have a clean pocket and make accurate throws downfield. The absence of Za’Darius Smith, who was out with a back injury, was certainly felt in this game. The Packers’ defense will need to find a way to generate pressure without him if he is unable to return in the near future.
Another factor was the poor play of the secondary. The Packers’ cornerbacks struggled to keep up with the Cowboys’ receivers, and their tackling was subpar. This allowed the Cowboys to gain extra yards after the catch and keep their offense on the field for extended drives. The absence of star cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was out with a shoulder injury, was also a major blow to the Packers’ defense.
Despite these struggles, there were some bright spots for the Packers’ defense. Linebacker Devondre Campbell had a standout performance, recording 13 tackles and a sack. He has been a valuable addition to the defense and has helped to solidify the linebacker position. Safety Darnell Savage also had a strong game, recording an interception and a forced fumble. However, these individual performances were not enough to overcome the overall struggles of the defense.
Moving forward, the Packers’ defense will need to make some adjustments in order to live up to their potential. They have the talent and coaching to be a top defense in the league, but they will need to improve in certain areas. Generating a consistent pass rush and improving their coverage in the secondary will be key for the defense to bounce back from this disappointing performance.
It’s important to remember that it’s still early in the season, and the Packers’ defense has plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments. They have a talented group of players and a strong coaching staff, and they will surely learn from their mistakes in this game. As they continue to gel and improve, the Packers’ defense will be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC.
In conclusion, while the Packers’ defense may have been named one of the biggest losers of Week 4, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Every team has their off days, and the Packers’ defense is no exception. With the talent and coaching they have, they are more than capable of bouncing back and proving that they are a Super Bowl-caliber defense. So, let’s not count them out just yet. Go Pack Go!
