Green Bay D hoping to continue recent trend on field

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers’ tendency to win ugly has masked a strong showing from the defensive unit in recent weeks.

While not playing the most prolific offenses in the league, the Packers’ defense hasn’t allowed more than 15 points in any of the previous four games.

Following an embarrassing showing against the San Francisco 49ers, when the Packers’ defense eventually ran out of gas because of an anemic Packers’ offense, Green Bay got things turned around against the New York Giants.

While New York accumulated 335 total yards and over five yards a play, the Packers’ defense was opportunistic, picking off three passes to get their offense back on the field.

A week later, the defensive unit put together a strong first half against the Washington Redskins before hanging on down the stretch. Green Bay intercepted another pass in that game and sacked the quarterback four times.

It was a similar story against the Chicago Bears the following week, as the Packers’ defense dominated for almost three quarters before the Bears scored 10 points in the final quarter to tighten the game up. The Packers intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble on the final play of the game. Green Bay also had three sacks.

The green and gold clinched the NFC North with a 23-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, turning in arguably one of its top defensive showings — if not the best — of the season.

Minnesota was held to 139 total yards and seven first downs. The Vikings averaged just 2.6 yards per play and scored all 10 of their points after first-half Green Bay turnovers gave them great starting field position.

Green Bay lost the turnover battle by two (3-1), but the lone takeaway was a game-changing play.

Cornerback Kevin King’s interception and long return helped set up the go-ahead scoring drive. On the Vikings ensuing four possessions, the Packers forced three punts and a turnover on downs.

It was the Packers’ pass rush that spurred the strong defensive showing.

“I got to give it up to our defense. They really performed at an extremely high level,” said coach Matt LaFleur. “Coach (Mike) Pettine did a great job of getting these guys prepared, had a really good gameplan and were able to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and did a great job of getting them out of their run game as well.”

Green Bay registered five sacks in the game, led by outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith’s 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Smith was in the Vikings’ backfield pretty much all game, forcing Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins to throw before he wanted to, which led to a 16-of-31 day on pass attempts.

Smith’s monster game also opened up some opportunities for some of the team’s other pass-rushers.

Defensive lineman Kenny Clark registered a sack for a third straight game and outside linebacker Preston Smith also had a half a sack.

While the Smiths and Clark are hoping not to have to play a whole bunch of snaps this week with the playoffs looming, it’s fair to anticipate teams start double- and triple-teaming Za’Darius Smith more frequently.

The Vikings tried doubling Za’Darius Smith some on Monday, but to no avail. If other teams try a similar tactic, it just means more one-on-one chances for Clark, Preston Smith, outside linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Rashan Gary and defensive lineman Dean Lowry — and the Packers would likely put together a similar showing in that case.

A strong pass rush could help Green Bay put this coming Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions away early, which would afford the team the chance to rest some of the starters.

The Packers will be going up against a Lions’ offense riddled by injuries and starting an undrafted free agent, David Blough.

As you would expect in a rookie quarterback, Blough’s first four games in the NFL have been a mixed bag of results. He’s thrown four touchdowns, but been intercepted five times.

Along with the interception stat, the Packers should also be licking their chops when seeing Blough has been sacked 13 times over that span.

It would be hard to fathom a Packers’ loss this week, but going up against a team on a eight-game losing streak and decimated by injuries, the chance for a Packer letdown is there.

With LaFleur’s insistence on taking things one game at a time, the Packers should be ready to go, especially with so much on the line.

A Packers’ win paired with a 49ers’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks would mean that Green Bay snags the No. 1 seed in the NFC. A Green Bay win without any other help means a No. 2 seed, while a loss could drop the Packers down to the No. 3 seed.

“I think it would do a lot for us,” said LaFleur on earning a bye in the playoffs. “I think anytime you can advance one round in the playoffs (you take it), because every game is so competitive. Not only that, but you get a home game at Lambeau, (it) would be absolutely critical. It’s obviously a tough place to play and we got a lot of confidence when we’re at home.”

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