Two things are simultaneously true about the Packers’ defense: they really haven’t played a decent quarterback yet this year, and they’re doing about as well as could be expected, given the circumstances.
It’s absolutely true the Packers haven’t played any significant quarterbacks this year. They’ve faced backups in three of their five games so far, and the two starters they played were Geno Smith (not playing his best ball) and Michael Penix Jr. (in his first game back from a torn ACL). In a quarterback driven
league, the Packers haven’t faced any opponents with anyone interesting in the opposing driver’s seat.
But it’s also true the Packers have largely taken care of business against those backups. The scoreboard hasn’t always reflected it, but that’s mostly been for circumstances out of their control. The Packers’ offense handed the defense consecutive short fields against the Vikings (while the officials handed the Vikings an entire drive). And against the Falcons, the offense hardly saw fit to stay on the field at all, leaving the defense to absorb body blow after body blow from the all-Robinson Falcons backfield.
Outside of that, though, they’ve shut down the Jets, Buccaneers, and Bears. Again, you have the backup quarterback caveat, but what are they supposed to do? I doubt Jonathan Gannon was sitting at home on Sunday night saying “Gosh, I wish the Bears had been able to play their preferred quarterback.”
You can only play who you play, and the Packers have put together some good performances on defense against those opponents. This week we’ll start to find out what parts of their defense are for real. And given who the Cowboys are rolling out at wide receiver, we’d better hope part of the real stuff is in the secondary.
Packers DT Devonte Wyatt is ‘ascending right now’ | Packers.com
Wyatt’s two sacks were his first since he notched two against the Minnesota Vikings last November.
Christian Watson and Matthew Golden make Packers history vs. Bears | Packers Wire
Watson and Golden: they’re good!
Packers might have the reserves to overcome their injury woes | Packers News ($)
The Packers came through the storm of the first month looking like they might have the depth to endure future injuries.
Packers Broke the Bank for These 12 Players; Six of Them Are Broken | Sports Illustrated
You’ve heard versions of this take before, but it bears repeating: the Packers have paid a lot for guys that ended up falling apart.
Micah Parsons rips into Jayden Daniels for ‘disgusting’ OT blunder | CBS Sports
Parsons has plenty of time and access to podcasting equipment, and he’s putting it to use.
Trailer full of french fries catches fire on Utah highway | UPI
What a tragic loss.
Packers discussion in the Feed
The silver lining to playing the high-powered Cowboys offense is that you also get to match up against the low-powered Cowboys defense. Rashan Gary revenge game incoming? (Probably not.)
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