The Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears (again) 38-20 on Sunday afternoon to start the season 1-0 for the first time since 2020. Jordan Love and the offense overcame a slow start to pull away in the second half. Indeed, the fact that the offense put up over 30 points on its own was a surprise to the Love doubters and those that thought Green Bay’s youth movement was ill-advised.
Of course, the offense was not the only unit that showed out for the Packers in their Week One victory. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who has long been criticized by fans and media alike, spent the offseason and preseason assuring everyone that things would be different in 2023.
During the preseason games, he moved to a booth above the field and the defense played more aggressively than it had in years. These changes carried over to Week One with Barry assuming his perch above the field and the defense playing with an aggression we have not seen in quite some time.
A great deal of credit should go to general manager Brian Gutekunst. Though he has been criticized by many for typically drafting defense in the first round, many of his recent first round picks played extremely well on Sunday. Though it was just one game, if Green Bay’s defense is as good all year as it was in Week One, there will be some level of vindication for the general manager.
Related: Green Bay Packers- 5 Highest and Lowest PFF Graded Players on Offense
The Green Bay Packers’ 5 Highest Graded Players on Defense
Just how good was the Packers’ defense? 10 players earned a PFF grade of 70 or better (compared to just five on offense). Of these 10, six of them were former first round draft picks. As many are aware, the Packers’ defense has eight former first round picks. The only two who did not grade in the 70’s were Eric Stokes (injured) and Lukas Van Ness (who had a sack and five pressures, but a PFF grade of 60.4).
The Packers’ five highest-graded defenders were:
- Quay Walker- 92.1
- Rashan Gary- 83.4
- Devonte Wyatt- 82.3
- Rasul Douglas- 75.7
- Darnell Savage and Preston Smith- 72.3
As one can see, both first round draft picks from last year, Walker and Wyatt, are on the list. Walker, of course, had the interception that he returned for a touchdown. Wyatt had a team-high six quarterback pressures and 1.5 sacks.
Gary and Savage, were both first round picks in 2019. Savage had two down years entering this season, but seems to be reinvigorated and motivated as he plays on his fifth year option. He led the team with 10 tackles. Gary only played 10 pass rushing snaps, but had five pressures, tied for second on the team.
Rasul Douglas was targeted four times, but only gave up two receptions for 11 yards. He also was tied for second on the team with seven tackles. Smith had three quarterback pressures and had the best run defense grade on the team (81.4). And best of all, he never had to drop back into coverage.
The Green Bay Packers’ 5 Lowest Graded Players on Defense
Unfortunately, not all was great on the Packers’ defense. Indeed, there are some areas in which the team will need to improve as the season goes on. The five lowest graded defenders for the Packers on Sunday were:
- Keisean Nixon- 49.3
- Isaiah McDuffie- 49.3
- Rudy Ford- 52.1
- Karl Brooks- 54.8
- Jonathan Owens- 57.3
In full transparency, Innis Gaines had a PFF grade of 52.3, which would place him on this list. However, he only played a total of five snaps, which is not a great picture of what he might have been able to accomplish, for better or worse.
Nixon struggled the most in coverage from the slot. He gave up seven receptions on eight targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. Both McDuffie and Owens were targeted twice, and both gave up two receptions.
Ford struggled the most with tackling, earning a woeful 32.3 tackling grade. Brooks played well overall, but struggled in run defense.
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