After the Green Bay Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round by the score of 22-10, many fans and analysts were saying the same thing: the offense and special teams did not do enough to win. The defense, however, played exceptionally well.
Had it not been for Keisean Nixon fumbling the opening kickoff (which he recovered and was laid out with an illegal hit, both things officials chose to ignore), Philadelphia may not have scored their first touchdown on a short field. Taking that score away, the Green Bay defense held the Eagles to just 15 points, which was still not good enough to win as the offense laid an egg, but is still impressive.
This is not to say that the Packers defense was not without their flaws. There are many things that need to be addressed in the offseason, starting with finding a new defensive line coach. However, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley improved Green Bay’s defense in his first year on the job.
Jeff Hafley Made a Huge Impact on the Green Bay Packers Defense
In 2023, the Packers defense ranked 17th in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (335.1). They also ranked ninth in passing yards allowed per game (206.5), 28th in rushing yards allowed per game (128.3) and tenth in points allowed per game (20.6).
Under Hafley, these numbers improved (overall). They ranked sixth in total yards allowed per game (315.6), 13th in passing allowed per game (215.2), seventh in rushing yards allowed per game (99.6), and sixth in points allowed per game (19.9).
Green Bay was also tied for the third-best turnover differential in the NFL this year (+12) and forced the fourth-most turnovers (31).
Last season, they were 23rd in turnovers with 18 and had a turnover differential of zero.
Green Bay Packers Safety Javon Bullard Predicts the Defense Will Be Dangerous in 2025
Last week, several Packers players spoke to the media while they were cleaning out their lockers. One of them was rookie safety Javon Bullard, who believes that Hafley’s defense is going to be even better in 2025 than it was in his first year installing his system:
“I’m not going to lie: We’re going to be dangerous. We’re going to be dangerous. And I’m not just saying that. We’re going to be a special group.
“Our class, the vets that we still have, I have a tremendous amount of faith in us and what we’re going to bring to the table.”
Bullard was part of a rookie defensive class that included Evan Williams and Edgerrin Cooper, both of whom emerged as starters on the defense by the end of the season. Cooper especially has made himself a fan favorite by playing the linebacker position better than any Packers player has in years.
The future of the defense is certainly bright, but they need to pressure the quarterback more and figure out whatever is going on with Jaire Alexander and the cornerback room.
Despite these deficiencies, the table is certainly set for the unit to have a big year next season.
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