Intercepting passes isn’t the only way the Green Bay Packers defense causes problems for opposing quarterbacks.
Sometimes when the Packers don’t intercept throws, it’s because they want to make sure the quarterbacks can’t even pass the ball.
Green Bay (2-1) sacked Will Levis eight times in a 30-14 win at Tennessee on Sunday, giving the Packers two straight wins without injured quarterback Jordan Love. It was the Packers’ most sacks since they set a franchise record with nine sacks in a 31-14 win over the Chicago Bears on Jan. 2, 2005.
“Every game is a great opportunity to get some sacks,” said defensive lineman Preston Smith, who had two on Sunday, as did Devonte Wyatt. “It’s just a matter of how you execute it and making sure everyone does their job, everyone plays as a unit and everyone does their job. When you do that, you get rewarded.”
Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the defense has shown an impressive ability to produce big plays. Green Bay intercepted two passes from Levis – one of which he scored for a touchdown – and has recorded at least two interceptions in its first three games.
The pass rush took some time to get going, with Green Bay recording just one sack in each of its first two games – a 34-29 loss to Philadelphia in Brazil and a 16-10 home win over Indianapolis.
Facing a less mobile quarterback than the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts or the Colts’ Anthony Richardson on Sunday, the Packers constantly pushed into the backfield to pressure Levis. Seven Packers recorded at least a half-sack, a testament to the defense’s strength on offense.
“I think you saw the value of that in the fourth quarter,” coach Matt LaFleur said Monday. “When you have fresh edge rushers – whether it’s an edge rusher or an interior rusher – you can really put pressure on an offense. I mean, we were pretty dominant up front in the second half. And it’s always a combination of rushing and covering. I think we covered their receivers excellently and then ‘Haf’ launched some timely blitzes that were very effective.”
