The Green Bay Packers have lost two straight games since starting 6-0, and Dom Capers’ fading defense is right at the center of the collapse.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense has been shaky for the better part of a month, including an ugly, uncompetitive stretch of play spanning every second of a 29-10 loss to the Denver Broncos and most of Sunday’s 37-29 defeat to the Carolina Panthers. But the surprising issues on offense have covered up the bigger problem.
The Packers can’t stop anyone on defense.
After ranking in the top five for scoring defense through the first five weeks, Green Bay has been run over in three straight games by veteran quarterbacks. The Packers have allowed 86 points and almost 1,500 total yards in games against Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Cam Newton, including 1,125 passing.
Rivers came one completion short of putting the Packers on the ropes at Lambeau Field in Week 6. He connected on 43 passes for 503 yards, and it took a deflection at the goal line from rookie cornerback Damarious Randall to bail the Packers out in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter. The Chargers finished with 543 total yards.
The Packers went into the bye week shook on defense. Given a fortnight to understand what Rivers accomplished and gameplan for Capers’ confidence-rattled unit, Manning - maybe the most cerebral quarterback ever - smelled blood in the water and went on the attack. The veteran used the primetime stage to calmly complete 21 of 29 passes for 340 yards, making effortless throw after effortless throw as the Broncos rolled up 500 yards.
Newton doesn’t possess the pocket passing skills of Rivers or Manning. He still chewed up Capers’ defense, gaining 354 yards (297 passing) and scoring four touchdowns. The Panthers scored 24 points in the second quarter, and only a few missed throws from Newton and a late rally from Rodgers saved the Packers from another embarrassing defeat.
The 1,475 yards allowed by Green Bay over the last three games is the most ever during a three-game span in the franchise’s 97-year history.
A few factors have contributed to the fade.
For starters, the Packers have given up 19 plays of at least 20 yards over the last three games. Of the 19, 16 have come via the pass - as offenses have routinely found ways to scheme players open against Green Bay’s young and beat-up secondary.
A once dominant pass-rush has also dried up. After 20 sacks over the first five games, the Packers have just three over the last three games. Give a veteran quarterback a comfortable pocket, and big plays are going to happen down the field.
Rodgers and the offense hasn’t helped. Struggling to move the chains and possess the football has meant more time on the field for the defense. And playing from behind, which Green Bay has done for most of the last two games, doesn’t suit Capers’ front-running unit.
The Packers got by on defense against a questionable string of quarterbacks early in the year, including Jay Cutler, Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and Nick Foles. Once the opposing talent level at the game’s most important position increased, Green Bay’s collapse began.
Things will likely improve with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears up next. The Packers have proven themselves capable of beating up on bad offenses. But the recent struggles against Rivers, Manning and Newton present a big worry for January, when Green Bay will likely see a top quarterback.
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