Green Bay Packers

Green Bay's Defense Came Apart In Minnesota, Now It's Time To Flip It Back

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan (USA TODAY Sports)

The Green Bay Packers got off to a slow start this season. But beginning with the second half of their Week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions, their supposed liability of a defense completely flipped the narrative. They dialed up their aggressiveness and helped an inconsistent offense win games.

That all took a turn in the wrong direction when they faced the Minnesota Vikings earlier in the season, and they’ve been less dominant ever since. Now, Green Bay needs to get that juju back.

Green Bay was coming off of a shutout against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks before their first matchup against the Vikings. They’d strung together seven consecutive games without giving up more than 22 points. They faced some of the best offenses in the league in the Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals during that span. Those three teams combined to put up only 50 points against the Packers.

Minnesota changed all that.

The Vikings high-stepped into US Bank Stadium on Nov. 21 and left with a 34-31 win over Green Bay. Kirk Cousins carved up a secondary that looked lost to the tune of 341 yards and three touchdowns. Dalvin Cook chipped in with 86 yards on the ground and a touchdown. It sent Green Bay’s defense into a tailspin that they haven’t recovered from.

Since that game against the Vikings, Green Bay has given up 30 points to the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens and another 28 to the Los Angeles Rams. Even in a win against the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland gashed the Packers for numerous plays that went for 20 or more yards despite only giving up 22 points. They narrowly escaped a disastrous loss.

While defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s group has still been able to force turnovers and get a pretty good pass rush, just about everything else has gone to hell lately. With only two weeks left in the regular season, it’s the last chance to flip things back in the right direction before the postseason arrives. What better opponent to do it against than the team that started the mess?

Minnesota will be without Adam Thielen after he underwent season-ending ankle surgery earlier in the week. In the first matchup this year, he posted eight receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. He’s often torched Green Bay defenses, regardless of the circumstances. Thielen being out for Minnesota is a massive break for Green Bay. Barry alluded to that on Thursday while noting the array of weapons the Vikings have even without Thielen.

“I still think they’re gonna do what they do obviously. They still have Kirk (Cousins), they still have 18 (Justin Jefferson), they still have 33 (Cook) who are obviously really good players. Adam has been such a big part of I’d say not only their offense but kind of their culture there. It’s such a cool story when you look at how he came about…He’s the heart and soul of that team.”

Since those comments, Cousins has tested positive for COVID, but Sean Mannion will still have a lot to work with.

There’s another big reason to be optimistic about the Packers’ defense turning it around on Sunday night: the weather.

Temperatures should be hovering in single digits at kickoff. While that doesn’t wipe out a passing game, it certainly doesn’t help. Like Thielen, Cook has had major success against the Packers throughout his career, but the difference in this one could be the predictability with which the Vikings run the ball. Ideally, Green Bay will load the box to neutralize Cook while shifting coverage attention to Jefferson on the outside. Barry would be wise to force Cousins to beat the Packers with his arm by throwing to someone other than Jefferson. It’s far easier said than done.

For as mediocre as the Vikings’ record is, their offense has been pretty solid for much of the year. They rank ninth in passing yards per game, 12th in rushing yards, and average 25.6 points per game. Green Bay will have its hands full even without Thielen and with the weather setting up favorably for both defenses. Barry knows there is pressure to figure it out quickly.

“We understand the urgency in every aspect of football and right now we gotta play the run better, there’s no doubt about it. The guys came in, like I said, we had a great film session on Monday, we’ve hit it hard yesterday and today (Thursday), obviously, out on the grass at practice.”

Green Bay’s sputtering stretch on defense started in the first matchup against the Minnesota Vikings back in November. It’s been a bumpy ride since then, with plenty of highlights but a ton of lowlights as well. If this defense wants to be taken seriously come the postseason, they need to turn things around starting on Sunday night against Minnesota.

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