Already armed with a potent and volatile offense led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers (6-0) now boast one of the NFL’s best defenses according to our latest data.
In our Week 6 BES Rankings, the Packers No. 3-ranked BES Offense (3.01) is now complimented by a No. 4-ranked BES Defense (2.84). That combination could propel the team deep into the postseason.
The strongest aspect of the Packers defense, according to the BES, is their ability to put heat on opposing quarterbacks, evidenced by their Pass Pressure score of 3.26 – third highest among all teams.
Star linebackers Julius Peppers (5.5 sacks) and Clay Matthews (4.5 sacks) have combined for 10 of the unit’s 23 sacks through six games, placing them second behind only the Broncos (26 sacks) according to league stats. The defense also has a Takeaways score of 2.87, supported by a team total eight interceptions.
The unit’s weakness is stopping the run where it ranks 24th in rushing yards allowed per game (118.5). However, that’s an improvement over the 154 rushing yards per game they were allowing just three weeks ago. That doesn’t bode well for opponents hoping to establish a ground attack and control the clock thus keeping Rodgers on the sidelines.
Overall, the Packers defense is emerging as an elite squad, one capable of suppressing opposing offenses in case Rodgers & Co. ever struggle to move the chains and put points on the board. That is key as the unit may be called upon to do exactly that when the team travels to Denver to confront the Broncos (6-0) and their No. 2 BES Defense in Week 8.