It is no secret that the Green Bay Packers’ experience down in Brazil back in Week 1 was not a sweet one, football-wise. Their 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and the injury suffered by quarterback Jordan Love late in that contest left a bad taste in the mouth of the Packers, who also just got the 12th spot in ESPN’s first NFL power rankings of the 2024 regular season.
Green Bay was ranked 10th in the preseason, so that’s a slight demotion for the Packers.
Still, Rob Demovsky of ESPN saw some positives in the Packers’ Week 1 game, particularly on the team’s defense.
“There were plenty of miscues from the defense in new coordinator Jeff Hafley’s debut, but he got what he wanted from the safety position: more splash plays, thanks to McKinney. The $68 million free agent acquisition picked off Eagles QB Jalen Hurts in the first quarter of Friday’s loss in Brazil. The Packers had only seven interceptions last season, but they got two (Jaire Alexander had the other) and also recovered a fumble in Week 1.”
Quinyon Mitchell (27) during the second half at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Will the Green Bay Packers’ defense be better in Week 2?
Hafley’s defense will be put to the test again this coming Sunday when the Packers make their home debut in the 2024 season. After giving up over 30 points and 410 total yards to the Eagles in Week 1, the Packers’ stop unit is under pressure to put up a better effort at Lambeau Field.
And with Love temporarily replaced by an unproven Malik Willis under center, there is increased attention on Green Bay’s defense that allowed 20.6 points and 335.1 total yards per game in 2023 when Joe Barry was still the Packers’ defensive coordinator.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
