The Packers‘ defense regressed dramatically at the worst possible time in Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Even though Green Bay’s special teams did the Packers no favors by fumbling away the opening kickoff, allowing Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to hit wide receiver Jahan Dotson on Philadelphia’s first possession of the game, Jeff Hafley’s pass rush completely disappeared throughout the game.
As The 33rd Team points out, the Packers’ pass rush was historically inept.
The Eagles had an eternity to throw vs. the Packers 🕰️
Philly recorded the 8th longest average time to throw by any team in any playoff game this century (3.65sec)
8th out of 556 https://t.co/UrrgWmWZZe pic.twitter.com/4kl4vmf74q
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 15, 2025
In addition to having one of the largest times to throw from the pocket of any quarterback in a quarter century, the fact that both of the Eagles’ starting offensive tackles didn’t allow a pressure underscored how much work needs to be done on the defensive side of the ball for the Packers this offseason.
Even though the Packers couldn’t get home when pressuring Hurts, Green Bay’s secondary held the Eagles quarterback to just 131 yards and two passing touchdowns, which lends some optimism that with an elite edge rush presence added through free agency or the NFL Draft how disruptive the Packers’ defense has the chance to be next season.
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