Looking at the final score from Sunday’s defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, it would be hard to believe the Packers defense actually had a strong first game under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, as they allowed 39 points in the loss.
Yet Green Bay has plenty to feel good about from their Week 1 performance as they get ready to face the New York Jets, both as a unit and as individuals.
After picking off Kyler Murray on the first drive of the game, Gannon’s group forced punts on three of the next four drives, and four of the next six. They only gave up three points in the first five Minnesota possessions.
The Vikings did score a touchdown before the half, as a concentration error from Lukas Van Ness gave Carson Wentz a free play, and rookie
cornerback Brandon Cisse got turned around and beat by All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson deep for a "Welcome to the NFL" moment.
From the box score, it looks like the defense melted late, as they allowed four straight touchdowns to end the game. There is a lot of context to add though.
The first score was only a 28-yard drive after Green Bay’s special teams allowed a big kickoff return. The next was an 83-yard drive in which the defense looked to have gotten off the field three separate times before some very dubious penalties continued to extend it.
The third touchdown took one play from the one-yard line after Jordan Love was swarmed by three Viking defenders behind an overmatched offensive line, fumbling the ball. The final one was a 14-yard drive after a Love interception via a deflection.
It is difficult to truly blame the Packers defense for how the game played out, and in terms of their general performance, fans should feel encouraged moving forwards.
One of the bigger concerns entering the season was how they would generate pressure until Micah Parsons returned to the lineup. Green Bay managed a solid 40% pressure rate, which ranked 11th in the NFL in Week 1. They also ranked 8th in stuff rate against the run.
Cisse was baptized by Jefferson, but otherwise had a very solid debut, and Keisean Nixon put a tough end to last season, and a rocky summer behind him with a strong showing, including the early interception. Edgerrin Cooper was back to making splash plays at linebacker.
Had the game not gotten completely out of hand by the end, Green Bay’s defensive performance would have been one of the biggest positive headlines, even if they were going against a backup in Wentz for much of the contest.
However, they will need to follow it up with another strong performance this week against a Jets offense which is underrated in terms of talent, and has a strong offensive line which allowed the 9th-lowest pressure rate against the Titans in Week 1.
This week’s matchup will provide another test of Green Bay’s ability to put pressure on the quarterback and limit a talented running back in Breece Hall.
If they can perform the same way they did for the vast majority of Sunday’s game, it will bode well for their chances this week and for the rest of the season, especially once Parsons returns.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Strong start for Jonathan Gannon's Packers defense despite box score
