Joe Barry knows the Packers’ defense needs to improve
The Green Bay Packers did enough to get the win over the Dallas Cowboys in overtime. It was a relief for the Packers to snap their five-game losing streak. However, the performances on offense and defense were far from perfect. So was the coaching. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry was asked about the Packers’ run defense Monday afternoon.
Cowboys running back Tony Pollard had a great day against the Packers’ defense. He finished with 115 yards on 22 carries. The Cowboys finished with 159 yards rushing while averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. Pollard helped the Cowboys take a one-touchdown lead over the Packers in the third quarter on a 14-yard run. No defenders appeared to be in sight to stop the Cowboys’ number two back.
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According to Matt Schneidman with The Athletic, Barry responded to how he felt about the Cowboys being able to run the draw play at will against his defense:
“It infuriated me.”
Joe Barry on the Cowboys' success with draw plays in the run game:
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 14, 2022
"It infuriated me."
Barry has a more extensive test upcoming on TNF
If Barry thought Pollard was scary, he has another nightmare coming in three days. Titans running back Derrick Henry has the second most rushing yards this season with 923 yards. He also has nine rushing touchdowns this season. The All-Pro running back will attempt to break 1,000 rushing yards on the season against the Packers on Thursday Night Football.
Barry will need to make adjustments to make sure that doesn’t happen. The Packers rank 29th in run defense this season. They’ve surrendered 1,406 rushing yards to opposing offenses at a whopping 4.8 yards per rushing attempt. Against the Titans, the Packers might need to load the box and hope their elite secondary can make some plays when the Titans throw the ball. That might mean playing in man coverage a little bit more Thursday.
