National Football League

Green Bay Packers: What you may not have known

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Heading out of the early bye week to face the New York Giants this week, the feel with the year so far for the Green Bay Packers has been that the offense is figuring it out, but the pass defense has been the biggest concern.

Sure we know that Jordy Nelson is back and looking like the Jordy of old. 

We know that Eddie Lacy has lost some weight and seems to be running with the vigor that he lacked last year.  Lacy collected his first 100-yard rushing game right before the bye against Detroit. 

We know that Aaron Rodgers seems to be getting back the timing that fuels this usually high octane Packers offensive attack.

Everything seems to be focused on the Packers offense getting in mid-season form. 

But let’s look at the Packers defense – especially the pass defense.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is sacked by Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The things you didn’t know about the Packers

All that has mentioned before is great news for the Packers, but the “but” in the season has been the Packers defense.

How they almost blew it against a now 1-3 Jacksonville Jaguars team.

How they let journeyman quarterback Sam Bradford torch them in their loss to the Vikings.

How the Lions came back in the second half of the game to make the Packers and their fans sweat it out until the end after leading the game at the half 31-10.

Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels has been a force for the Packers run defense. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Here are some stats on the Packer defense that you may not have realized, courtesy of Packers.com:

So, even though the defense was torched by Sam Bradford and Stephon Diggs in Minneapolis in Week 2 and once again by Matthew Stafford and Marvin Jones in Week 3, the Packers defense has been pretty stout so far this season. 

Getting Sam Shield back will help the Packers pass defense, but it could be a while before his is ready to play. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The DBs have had their ups-and-downs but you have to remember a few things about them as well.  All Pro Sam Shields has been out.  Starting S Morgan Burnett has missed time. 

The Packers have been starting four DBs who have three years or less NFL experience (Ladarius Gunter, Damarious Randall, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Quinten Rollins) and one who has four years experience (Micah Hyde).

These guys are being thrown in and there we would like to think that there will not be a drop-off for the defense.  That really isn’t a fair judgment.  They are a work in process but most of these five guys were drafted in the first three rounds so they do have the talent to play and produce.

Looks like Sam Shields will miss this week as well so we will get to see if the young guys can step up and fill the void against the Giants at Lambeau Sunday night.

Overall, the Packers defense has done a lot of good things so far this year and have the talent to have a tremendous season. 

More from Lombardi Ave

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League