The Green Bay Packers got embarrassed on their home field by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Joe Barry’s defense could not (or would not) cover wide open wide receivers all day, allowing Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield to post a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He is the first visiting quarterback to accomplish such a feat at Lambeau Field.
The 34-20 loss dropped the Packers to 6-8. It was their second loss in a row to an opponent that was, by every indication, very beatable. It was also the second game in a row in which the defense failed to perform very basic aspects of its job.
Unlike the loss to the New York Giants (in which the Packers gave up 200 rushing yards for the fourth time this season), the defense failed to provide even average pass defense. Numerous times, the Buccaneers found themselves in third and short situations, and Barry’s play call was to play soft zone. This allowed Tampa Bay to complete multiple short passes that saw their pass catchers with yards and yards of green grass in front of them.
The defensive scheme was so abysmal, so embarrassing, that even the well-known satire publication, The Onion, had something to say about it.
The Onion Brutally Roasts Joe Barry and the Green Bay Packers Defense
The Onion is well-known for poking fun at high-profile stories and people in pop culture. Their reach, however, is often limited to big political and Hollywood stories. That did not stop them from making the following post about Joe Barry and the Packers defense, though:
James Webb Telescope Finds Evidence Of Packers Secondary Lined Up 20 Million Light Years Off Receivers https://t.co/qEVvywpr6E
— The Onion (@TheOnion) December 18, 2023
Let’s face it: they were not that far off in their analysis.
3rd and 4.
Down 7.
8:48 left in the gamePackers might as well be playing 9 on 11 because the safeties are in Escanaba.
Complete to Godwin with Campbell/Quay in zone.
Situational tone deafness is a real problem. Donate today. pic.twitter.com/vmlc3RPQ83
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) December 18, 2023
This has been an issue for the Packers all season, and Barry has defended the decision to play so much soft zone by saying that the only stat that matters is the score at the end of the game.
Well, the Packers gave up 14 explosive plays on Sunday and gave up 34 points.
Green Bay Packers Fans React to The Onion Roasting Joe Barry’s Defense
Packers fans were not pleased with Matt LaFleur’s announcement on Monday that Barry would be allowed to continue as defensive coordinator for the rest of the season. As such, they completely understood The Onion‘s post:
Realest shot ever discovered https://t.co/TPSxOQvagr
— BigDave (@BigDaveFootball) December 18, 2023
Getting cooked by the onion, what happened to the football team I love ?? (fire Joe Barry) https://t.co/vJRKDldlod
— Kirk (@kirkgwong) December 18, 2023
When even The Onion gets it… https://t.co/tvlPoEuubh
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) December 18, 2023
Nail in the coffin. Has to be. https://t.co/kZZJKU8w8y
— twillyallen (@TwillysTakes) December 18, 2023
The Onion doing their part 🫡 https://t.co/AUmhCckUeC
— JAWZZ (@jawzz_98) December 18, 2023
— Sam Kuffel (@SamKuffelWx) December 18, 2023
LaFleur said he is going to take a more active role with the defense from this point forward until the end of the season. He said he hopes to fix the communication issues that are happening.
At this point, fans are going to have to simply take the attitude of “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
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