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Fansided

4 underwhelming performances in Packers uninspiring loss to Vikings

By Brian Sampson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings and Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers embrace after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings and Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers embrace after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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Feb 3, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry during NFC practice for the Pro Bowl at Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry during NFC practice for the Pro Bowl at Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Underwhelming performances: Defensive playcalling

Packers’ defensive coordinator Joe Barry runs a passive zone scheme that prioritizes keeping plays in front of their defenders before aggressively coming up and making the play. It’s not sexy, but it is what it is.

And that’s okay if, you know, you actually keep the players in front of you. Instead, Green Bay was running this passive scheme that gave up plays in front of them AND they were getting beat deep on the backend. That’s inexcusable.

Green Bay has their top seven defensive backs returning from a season ago, and wide receivers were able to run basic crossing routes before coming wide open. Even after Justin Jefferson continued to torch the Packers, Barry refused to match Jaire Alexander up on him. Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million extension this offseason and it appears Green Bay is content in letting him cover clear-out routes with all that money.

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