Is the Packers’ defense overrated heading into 2022 NFL season?
The Green Bay Packers are expected to accomplish big things in 2022 and compete for the Super Bowl once again. The only difference is that the defense is projected to play the lead role while the offense takes a back seat.
This signifies a major reversal of roles in Green Bay. For decades, the offense has largely carried the team thanks to the fantastic quarterback play of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Their identity since the early 1990s has (mostly) been one of a high-powered offensive attack and a lackluster defense (the exceptions were the times the Packers won the Lombardi trophy).
On paper, this Packers’ defense looks tough as ever.
The Green Bay Packers’ defense has generated a lot of hype heading into the 2022 NFL season, but are they overrated at this point?
They have a revamped defensive line that finally provides Kenny Clark with some help. Jarran Reed looks like he’s tapped into the fountain of youth while Dean Lowry has continued his strong play from last season. TJ Slaton has taken another step forward while first-rounder Devonte Wyatt is still learning his way, but has plenty of potential.
The emergence of Lowry, Reed and Slaton should, at the very least, take attention off Clark, allowing him to work in more one-on-one situations. At the most, this unit should be able to set the tone at the line of scrimmage, eat blockers, and allow the playmakers behind them to go to work.
Rashan Gary and Preston Smith will form one of the better pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Smith had a rebound season in 2021 and is ideally suited to play second-fiddle. Gary is the rising star of the defense and has the potential to break things wide open. He took a significant step forward last year and looks to have continued his upward trend.
The inside linebackers also continue to get better and better. De’Vondre Campbell was one of the best surprises last year when he ascended to All-Pro status. The Packers were then able to add first-round pick Quay Walker alongside him to give them one of the best duos in the NFL.
The secondary also has a plethora of good starters. Jaire Alexander is back and healthy, giving this unit one of the best all-around cornerbacks in the NFL. Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas are ready to pick up the scraps. Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage are solid, if unspectacular on the backend.
All of that looks great and there’s a ton of potential for this unit to live up to the hype. I’m just worried there are too many expectations for them to live up to.
The Packers lack any real depth and are only one injury away at any given position from having to play a complete liability. That could sabotage their high hopes in a hurry. Take a look at safety, for example. If either Amos or Savage goes down, they’ll be counting on a career special teams player to fill the void.
I also worry we are suffering recency bias when projecting how good the Packers’ defense can be. We all know they shut down the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, only allowing seven offensive points.
What we are neglecting, however, is the collapse they experienced in the second half of the season. Over the final seven regular season games, they allowed 27.3 points per game and gave up 30 or more points four times. That was with largely this same group.
I believe in this defense and feel they have the tools to be successful in the NFL. I worry the expectations are too high and they won’t be able to live up to them.
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The Packers’ offense is going to go through a lot of growing pains this year and it will be up to the defense to not only shut down opposing teams, but produce turnovers that create easier scoring opportunities for the offense as well. That’s a tall task and we’ll find out if the D’ is up for it.