In Depth Look at the Packers Defense

First of all, do I think the Packers have a good defense?  Yes.  But.  Do I think it is POSSIBLY overrated?  Very much possible and no, I am not going to talk about the 51 points given up in Arizona in the playoffs.

All year last year the Packers defense was forcing turnovers.  In fact, they forced turnovers on 21% of their defensive possessions which is flat out amazing and was tops in the NFL a year ago.  So there is no doubt that the Packers defense is a very opportunistic and exciting, but does that mean they are one of the top 5 defenses in the league?  Let's dig a little deeper.

This same opportunistic defense that led the league in interceptions last year was also near the top of another category, receiving TD's against with 29.  Of course injuries to Al Harris and even Will Blackmon had an effect on this statistic, but injuries are a part of the game as I would argue that the loss of Jets NT Kris Jenkins was far more detrimental to his respective team, yet they were still the #1 defense in the NFL.  Why, because they had depth.  Something the Packers have been lacking in the Secondary for as long as I can remember.

Let's take a further look into the stats.

We all know the horrible special teams we have been blessed with over the past couple seasons and last year took the cake.  Green Bay ranked 24th in the league in Opponents Starting Field Position, with their opponents average start at the 31 yard line.  Why does this matter?  Obviously this puts the defense at a disadvantage and provides no benefit you would think.  However, over the course of a 16 game season, these few extra yards between 24th and 1st in the league deflated the Packers defensive YPG last season.  While this would not affect their placement in the rankings too much, it is to their advantage strictly from the viewpoint of how many YPG they give up.

Again I state, the Packers defense is good but a defense that relies so heavily on turnovers will be in trouble if they find themselves without those same turnover numbers this season.  Also, the loss of Johnny Jolly could be crucial unless Ryan Pickett, BJ Raji, and Justin Harrell are able to perform at a high level and keep the opponents offensive linemen away from the linebackers, who already have a number of question marks themselves.

Overall I have a hard time believing the defense this year will be as good as the one you were pleasured with last season when you consider they have a rookie in Morgan Burnett starting at safety, lost Johnny Jolly, and have not really improved the depth for their aging CB's.  A top 10 finish is reasonable to assume, but I have a hard time believing we will see another top 3 finish.

Go ahead Packer fans, let me have it, but this is just my unbias, rational thoughts and of course none of this really matters until the season gets underway!! :)