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From the get go, it appeared the Green Bay Packers were going to be a very good team. The offense raced out of the gates and was clearly improved from 2019.
Yet if one thing threatened this team from getting where it wanted to go, it was the defense.
Despite the massive amounts of free agency money and draft picks thrown into it, the defense had all the signs of being an albatross that ultimately would sink the 2020 Packers. Calls for Mike Pettine’s job grew louder and even Matt LaFleur was showing frustration during his meetings with the media.
Then the calendar turned to December and something changed.
The defense is generating turnovers. They’re getting to the quarterback and they’re even *gasp!* stopping the run!
When the Packers faced the Tennessee Titans two weeks ago, it was a foregone conclusion in the eyes of many that Derrick Henry would run all over Green Bay. The result? They held him under 100 yards and the Packers won by 26 in their finest defensive performance of the year.
They followed that up with a shutdown of a suddenly decent Chicago Bears offense in a win that clinched the NFC’s top seed.
It took long enough but the defense appears to be back in business and just at the right time as the Packers prepare for a Super Bowl run.
For more on the defensive resurgence plus how one Packer went from bouncer to baller, check out today’s curds.
Pressure the quarterback, take the ball away, eliminate the big play and lock down in the red zone. A simple formula but not one the Packers have always excelled at. Now they appear to be hitting their stride at just the right time.
Packers provide ‘chance of a lifetime’ for Damon Harrison—Packers.com
Pretty much fresh off the waiver wire, Damon Harrison came as advertised during his first appearance as a Packer. Just imagine how good he could be once he fully digests the playbook.
Packers film review: Looking at CB Kevin King against Bears—Packers Wire
If there’s one thing on defense that still causes a lot of indigestion among fans, it’s the play of cornerback Kevin King. In this film study, you’ll see good cover skills but his tackling technique leaves a lot to be desired plus a dropped interception.
Dafney Goes from Rooftop Bar to on Top of World—Packer Central
Dominique Dafney was working as a bouncer at bar when he got the call from the Packers. Now he has his first NFL touchdown and could emerge as a dark horse playmaker for the Packers in the postseason.
No Pants Subway Ride canceled for 2021 due to COVID-19–UPI
OK, that does it COVID! Now you’ve gone too far! Jokes aside, I’d be very uncomfortable with any part of my bare skin touching the seat on a New York subway train.