Against the Green Bay Packers defense, it really looked like any quarterback could have found success against their coverage. Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers, they faced a Baker Mayfield led offense that really looks to take advantage of big play opportunities through the air and will likely be sending Joe Barry a Christmas card this year.
Green Bay Packers Scheme Against the Bucs
This Joe Barry led defensive unit appears to be comfortable giving up safe plays, in exchange for looking to not allow a single big gain that leads to a score.
The Green Bay Packers were happy to rush four, sometimes five, and drop the rest into coverage. The idea being reasonable enough, if the coverage can delay the immediate open throws, the pass rush will be able to get to the quarterback. And if there is a quick completion, it’s an easier read and rally to the football.
Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers, this has visibly led to a laxed mindset. While set up to not give the big play, the defenders are now not only giving a large physical cushion, but you can see a mental layoff as well. Being willing to live with a short (contested) completion, and repeatedly playing to just “not get beat” are two different things.
Except on screens, watch how many times Chris Godwin was able to get upfield before even being touched in the first half. This led to Godwin having 108 yards and 7 catches in the first half alone. The two worst examples of this were is first catch in the second quarter, and the last catch of the half.
Off of the line of scrimmage, some defenses elect to chip the slot receiver using a lineman, to throw off the timing, the Green bay Packers did not. After his free release and seven yards of cushion, he is able to make the completion with plenty of room in front of him to make a big gain. Because of how this was played, Godwin is able to run 15 yards with the ball before even being contacted by a defender.
Green Bay Packers Prevent Defense
The next moment that really illustrates how this cautious approach is ironically killing the Packers was to end the first half. In a second and 29, the objective for the defense should not have been to prevent a first down, but to limit gains as much as possible to make for a tougher field goal try. Instead they played soft coverage again and the 24 yard completion proved to be enough for the ensuing make.
This continues to be a frustrating defense to watch. For whatever reason some defensive coordinators feel that it is best to take away any big play potential, play it safe, and tackle on contact. This may have worked in the past against less talented quarterbacks, but now nearly every quarterback receives too much training and is too good to miss the wide open throws. The mentality of, “We’ll see if they can beat us from the pocket”, is not sustainable in today’s NFL.
Even the worst quarterback that comes to mind, if he had a chance to throw against this Joe Barry defense, would you bet against him having a personal record field day?
