The Green Bay Packers have three games left on their regular season schedule. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley faces a difficult task at this point after having lost Micah Parsons for the season. There is no doubt changes will have to be made to the way the defense plays after the loss of their best player. Now, strategies and approaches will have to drastically altered just as the season is winding down. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley faces a big challenge and how well he handles it will have a big impact on the Packers playoff chances and how well they do if they quality.
Packers DC Jeff Hafley Faces a Big Challenge: The Defense This Season
Once the Packers acquired Parsons, the defensive approach changed. When the Packers added one of the best pass rushers in the game, Hafley was now able to get consistent pressure on the quarterback without having to blitz often. This allowed the Green Bay defense to put seven players back in coverage.
One thing the defense emphasized was preventing splash plays and defense was among the league’s best at it. The Packers didn’t allow many long runs or passes mainly because the coaching staff was confident that opposing quarterbacks wouldn’t have time to allow receivers to get deep downfield before the pass rush would harass them.
Obviously, the loss of Parsons changes this equation and Hafley and the defense will have to find ways to adjust.
Pressuring the Quarterback
The Packers still need to get to the quarterback. They obviously don’t have Parsons and were already without their best interior pass rusher in Devonte Wyatt.
Look for the Packers to revert more to the form Hafley used last year to pressure the quarterback. Fortunately, the Packers have some players who are equipped to do that.
The off ball linebacking duo of Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper gives the Packers two speedy players who can rush through the “A” gap. With two players who can both utilize their speed and gaps on either side of the center, that could be enough to keep opposing quarterbacks guessing.
The Packers have other blitz options as well. Keisean Nixon remains capable of blitzing on occasion. He recorded three sacks last season even though he spent most of the year playing boundary corner.
The potential return of Brenton Cox off injured reserve could also give the Packers another player who can put pressure on the quarterback. Cox recorded four sacks in just seven games last season.
A healthy Lukas Van Ness could also help provide some pass rush both from the perimeter or in the middle.
Packers DC Jeff Hafley Faces a Big Challenge: Coverage
Another problem Hafley will have to solve is coverage. If the Packers are blitzing more often, there will be some open areas of the field if the rush doesn’t get home. Coverages must be adjusted to prevent splash plays which Hafley places a priority on limiting.
The Packers also lack an elite cover corner. When the defense is getting pressure with four rushers, you can mask some of the deficiencies in the secondary. That will be more difficult without Parsons. Nixon has been struggling in coverage the last few games while Carrington Valetine has missed far too many tackles.
The Packers may also be without Evan Williams for a game or two after he left the Broncos game early with an injury. Fortunately, Javon Bullard can move to safety while Nate Hobbs can take over in the slot. Hobbs will give the Packers a better tackler in the secondary which the team certainly needs.
Looking Ahead
Hafley made adjustments to his strategy last season when he realized he wasn’t getting enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks by rushing just his four defensive linemen. He has clearly demonstrated the ability to make changes to his approach and strategy, both in the middle of the game and in the middle of the season.
Obviously, without Parsons and some of the other injured players, there will be more weaknesses to try to cover up, and some former backups will have to assume bigger roles and be the next man up.
Hafley has to design schemes that play to his remaining players’ strengths. If he can do that, the Packers remain a playoff team capable of defeating any opponent on any given week.
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