Paul Bretl | 10/14/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers’ defense faced a difficult task on Sunday in having to limit the Arizona Cardinals’ explosive rushing attack. However, it was a challenge that this group was prepared for and was a key matchup in this game that the Packers were able to control.
“It was good. It was really good,” said Xavier McKinney of the defense’s performance. “I thought we executed really well. We had some things before the half that they kind of got us on, like some explosions, but I think all-in-all, we did a really good job. We took great angles. We covered well. The rush got there and collectively it was a great win for us.”
Led by quarterback Kyler Murray and running back James Conner, the Cardinals entered Sunday’s contest as one of the more efficient rushing offenses in football through five games. As a collective unit, the Cardinals were averaging 5.5 yards per rush this season, which is the third-best mark in football through five weeks. Their 21 rushes of at least 10 yards were also the most in football.
But the Packers were able to limit the Arizona run game to just 3.9 yards per attempt on Sunday. This included Conner and Murray combining for only 38 rushing yards on 14 carries between the two of them.
“I thought our guys just played very disciplined football, playing all 11 as one, which is something you have to do, especially when you’re playing a guy of his caliber,” Matt LaFleur said post-game. “He (Murray) is really fast, as you guys saw, he’s really tough to tackle and bring down. He was able to get out on a lot of different plays, but it was nothing that was too detrimental that we couldn’t overcome.”
Accomplishing this began with a disciplined approach from the pass rush. As we saw in games earlier this season against Philadelphia and Indianapolis, who also feature mobile quarterbacks, the Packers took a more controlled pass rush approach with the emphasis on keeping Murray in the pocket and not allowing him to extend plays.
“I feel like he’s going to be one of the most athletic quarterbacks that’s on our schedule,” said Rashan Gary at his locker. “I felt like we did a good job, especially going against Jalen Hurts, going against Richardson from the Colts, us having those type of games before, understanding how we want to rush and us being aggressive, keeping him in there and try to help our back end. It was good communication, flying around for a good 60 minutes and that’s how you finish the game.”
Schematically, the Packers prioritized taking the run game away on early downs, lining up in their base 4-3 defense more often to provide an additional linebacker presence along with dropping a safety down in the box as times for added support.
On plays where Murray was able to get outside the pocket or the running back did emerge from the line of scrimmage and made his way to the second level or towards the boundary, the Packers defenders swarmed to the ball like hornets.
“I feel like when you run to the ball, good things happen,” said Evan Williams after the game. “We have a saying that, our linebackers coach, his name’s Campanile so we say, ‘Campy 3:16 is God loves those who run to the ball.’ That’s something we definitely carry. I feel like safeties, you’re in a good spot up high to see the whole picture. When you run to the ball, good things happen. I’ll give it up to the scheme for me being in good spots to make plays.”
Although the pass rush focus for the Packers was more so on containing Murray rather than racking up pressures and sacks, that doesn’t mean that this was a completely passive approach either. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was just very calculated about when he took those opportunities to get after Murray, whether that be letting the pass rush pin its ears back or in Hafley attempting to generate pressures by blitzing–and not only by sending an additional rusher but doing so from different looks and with different defenders.
The ability to limit the Cardinals in the run game then had a negative trickle-down effect on the rest of their offensive performance. Facing a number of second and third-and-long situations, Arizona often found themselves in predictable passing situations, which gives the defense the advantage, particularly in coverage in this game with the front still having to be mindful of Murray’s ability to scramble.
WhileMurray was an efficient 22-of-32 passing, the Cardinals didn’t generate many big plays. Murray averaged just 6.7 yards per pass attempt, which for some context, that figure would rank 24th among quarterbacks through six games this season.
“I feel like we did a decent job of pressuring him when we needed to, got the ball out of his hands,” added Gary. “He used his feet to extend plays to help his offense but the majority of the time through the 60 minutes, I felt like we were able to control him and do what we had to do to get a win.”
Playing a role in the defense’s success was the Packers offense. By jumping out to a quick and multi-score lead, especially as the game went on, that zapped the Cardinals’ ability to lean heavily on the run game and naturally made them more pass-heavy.
The cherry on top of what was an all-around very solid performance by the Green Bay defense was their ability to generate three takeaways, all of which were forced fumbles that came in the second half of this contest, stomping out any potential late rallies that the Cardinals may have been cooking up.
After totaling 18 takeaways all of last season, this Packers defense is currently at 17 through just six games.
“Crazy,” said Gary about the defense focring three more takeaways. “Since OTAs before the season started, throughout camp, that’s something that Coach Haf emphasized – just being a defense to get after the ball and playing with maximum effort. As you’ve seen throughout the season, man, we’re attacking the ball, ripping at it.
“All we’ve got to do is keep on being consistent and keep on holding our standard. Every time we have a wrap-up tackle and the ball-carrier’s not down, we’ve got to strip at the ball, we’ve got to punch at it. The more we’ve been doing that and giving the offense back the ball, the more opportunities they have to score.”