The Packers defense was already significantly short-handed coming into Sunday. Still without stars Jaire Alexander and Za’darius Smith and without Kevin King, they then lost Preston Smith and Darnell Savage. Nonetheless, the Packers defense was able to create timely pressure and limit big plays en route to their 5th straight victory. Now, the offenses GB has faced hasn’t exactly been a murderer’s row – Chicago ranks 26th by DVOA and the Bengals 19th. But with the parity in the NFL you can never apologize for doing your job.
The overall philosophy for the Packers defense remains almost the same under Joe Barry as it was with Mike Pettine.