Wednesday Cheese Curds: Moment of truth coming for Packers’ pass defense

Deadlines spur action, and the Green Bay Packers are about to be up against it at least in regards to a problem that continues to plague their defense.

Much like years under the previous defensive coordinator, the Packers are giving up far too many big plays through the air. Fortunately for them, they didn’t face much of a downfield passing threat last Sunday in New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones nor will they this week with Washington rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins. They really don’t the following week either with Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

If the Packers want to make a deep playoff run, they’re going to have to eventually stop a good to elite quarterback. Nothing defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has tried has really had much success. The defense performed decently against the likes of Matt Moore, Kyle Allen and Jones but got taken to the woodshed by Philip Rivers and Jimmy Garappolo.

They did have success against Kirk Cousins early in the season but Cousins has since turned his play around and is looking much better. Dismissing him in Week 16 would be foolish.

Therefore Pettine has two weeks to figure things out. Otherwise the pass defense is once again a liability and it could be one that ultimately lands the coordinator on a very hot seat.

Here are today’s cheese curds.

Packers’ defense has two more weeks to fix long-pass problem (subscription required)—PackersNews.com

Getting more consistent play from Kevin King would be a start, but Pettine has got to tighten up coverages. There is way too little margin of error for his defenders as it is and given their youth, that’s a risk they should not be taking.

What You Might’ve Missed: From ‘Big Dog’ and ‘G-mo’—Packers.com

Meanwhile on the offensive side of the ball, here’s a great breakdown of the two big plays from the win over the Giants. Geronimo Allison needed that catch to slow his fall down the depth chart and Marcedes Lewis finally got his first Packers touchdown.

Packers are undeniably good in these two important areas—Packers Wire

For a 9-3 team, the Packers are kind of a black sheep in terms of explaining why they’re successful. Two areas however that stand out are turnovers and red zone offense.

Panthers part ways with Ron Rivera—Panthers.com

Packers fans undoubtedly feel for Panthers fans with the one year anniversary of Mike McCarthy’s firing having been on Monday. The early dismissal of McCarthy worked out for Green Bay so perhaps Carolina feels they can have the same success letting Rivera go now versus waiting until the season is over.

Man Too Intoxicated To Work His Steak ‘n Shake Shift Robbed Place Instead—Huffington Post

Showing up intoxicated to work is usually a fireable offense, but getting fired >>>> going to prison, right?