The Green Bay Packers haven’t quite put it together on defense yet this season, with the exception of their shutout win over Buffalo.
It’s been a tale of two halves. The defense has been bad in the first half, then almost dominant in the second.
The Packers have only allowed 44 points in the second half of six games. Twenty two of those came against Minnesota. Here are some other numbers. The Packers are giving up 5.1 yards per rush and 8.4 yards per pass in the first half. They’re giving up 4.0 yards per carry and 4.9 yards per pass in the second half.
If they would play like they do in the second half for the whole game, they just might have something. Cornerback Kevin King says the Packers are due for just such a performance.
“Shoot, we’re about due for a two-half game,” King said. “We’re about due. So hey, what better time than this Sunday to put it all together. We’ll see.”
Cornerback Josh Jackson called the Packers game against the Los Angeles Rams a statement game.
“This will be a big game for us to come out and make a statement,” Jackson said, “and we need a road win.”
The Packers would indeed be making a statement by shutting down the Rams on the road. And they’re going to have to play a complete game to have any chance of doing so.
The Rams have put up more than 30 points in six of their seven games this season. Quarterback Jared Goff is fifth in the NFL in passing yards with 2,130. Running back Todd Gurley leads the NFL in rushing yards with 686.
So pick your poison.
If there’s some hope for the Packers, it’s that a number of the Rams recent games have been close. They beat the Vikings by seven, the Seahawks by two and the Broncos by three. Those games came in three of the last four weeks, followed by a demolition of the one-win 49ers.
Sunday should be a good indication of what this Packers team is made of.