The defense was hit or miss this past Sunday. PFF gave the Packers’ defense a 65 grade, which is passable but is not nearly good enough with the talent on this roster. The run defense especially struggled in this game. The good sign is that it was the Packers’ 4th best defensive performance, and they were missing many vital starters (Gary, Campbell, and Stokes). Unfortunately, only Campbell will return this year.
Although they did not make the top 5 defense PFF grades, I wanted to give two shoutouts to Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie. Walker had 3 stops, and McDuffies had 4 stops. They also both had two of the top three tackling grades. This is a positive sign for the ILB, as there is yet to be a timetable for Campbell’s return.
Rudy Ford: PFF Grade – 88.2
Rudy Ford is turning into this year’s Rasul Douglas. What a game by Ford. He had 4 tackles (missed 1), was awarded 2 stops, and had 2 clutch interceptions that kept the Packers alive.
This was Ford’s highest PFF grade of the season, and it came in his first start, a must-win game for the Packers. In fact, Ford is the Packers’ highest-graded defender this season at an 89.9 PFF grade. Using this small sample size (131 defensive snaps), Ford is the highest-graded safety in the league (minimum of 100 snaps played).
Despite posting season-low grades in run defense (55.8) and tackling (48.7), Ford posted his best coverage performance (86.3) by a large margin. Ford was targeted 4 times, allowing 2 catches for 10 yards and 1 TD.
Dean Lowry: PFF Grade – 71.8
Lowry turns in another good performance. This whole year, Lowry has been just alright. He hasn’t turned in any outstanding performances, but he’s been one of the more consistent players on the defensive side of the ball. This is Lowry’s 6th game with a 67+ PFF grade.
Lowry had 1 pressure, 2 tackles, and 1 stop. He was the 3rd best run defender with a 68.9 PFF grade. The Packers will need more from Lowry moving forward in the absence of Rashan Gary.
Kingsley Enagbare: PFF Grade – 68.3
In Kingsley’s first career start, he turned in a top 5 PFF grade performance. This is exactly what the Packers need following Rashan Gary’s season-ending injury. Enagbare is the Packers’ second-highest-graded tackler, on the season, behind only Isaiah McDuffie.
Against the Cowboys, Enagbare posted 2 pressures (1 QB hit and 1 hurry), 4 tackles, and 2 stops. He did not miss a single tackle. In fact, Enagbare has not missed a tackle all season. Small sample size, of course, but it’s reason to be hopeful for the rookie to blossom for “Run the Table” Part 2.
Jarran Reed: PFF Grade – 66.8
Is Reed getting hot at the right time? He just posted his best pass-rushing game of the season by far. Reed had 6 total pressures (3 QB hits and 3 hurries), doubling his season high. Jarran was the highest-graded pass rusher (73.8) for the Packers, but he was also one of the worst-graded tacklers (28.4).
PFF awarded Reed with 2 tackles and 2 stops, but he also missed a tackle.
Jonathan Garvin: PFF Grade – 66.6
Reed has posted back-to-back top 5 defensive PFF grade finishes. Although these are small sample sizes, Garvin will be given more snaps to try and fill the gap left by the injury to Gary.
Garvin had 1 tackle and batted 1 pass.
It wasn’t a game that popped off the page, but Garvin posted passing grades all around. This was Garvin’s second-highest defensive grade of the season. Hopefully, he builds off these last two weeks and becomes a pivotal cog in saving the Packers’ season.
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