Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses for the past few years.
But that’s not the case recently.
Green Bay held San Francisco to just 16 carries for 44 yards in a 38-10 win over the 49ers on November 24, with two-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey getting 31 yards on 11 attempts. Then, four days later, the Packers defeated Miami 30-17, limiting the Dolphins to 39 yards on 14 carries.
It was the first time since 1995—and only the second time since 1950—that the Packers allowed fewer than 45 rushing yards in back-to-back games in the same season.
“I think we’re playing harder and harder each week,” said first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. “And that’s how you play good defense.”
The defense will need to be at its best on Thursday as the Packers (9-3) finish a stretch of three games in 12 days by playing against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (12-1), who have the highest-scoring offense in the NFL, partly due to a rushing attack with the fast Jahmyr Gibbs and the tough David Montgomery.
“Gibbs is a great running back,” said defensive lineman Kenny Clark. “I really think the offense really starts with him, honestly. He can do everything — receive, in-and-out runner, can do stretch, duo plays. We’ve got to have all hands on deck with Gibbs. And then Montgomery, he’s a great complement to him. He can do everything, also.”
The Lions were the first team since the 1975 Miami Dolphins to rush for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of their first 11 games. The streak ended on Thanksgiving when the Lions ran for 194 yards but did not score a rushing touchdown in a 23-20 win over the Chicago Bears.
In the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Lions on November 3 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay outrushed Detroit 138-124. Montgomery ran for 73 yards, while Gibbs had 65 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs has 973 rushing yards this season, ranking fourth in the NFL.
Last season, Montgomery ran for a total of 192 yards and four touchdowns in the Lions’ two games against the Packers. Green Bay’s run defense has improved since then.
This season, the Packers are allowing 106.6 rushing yards per game, ranking eighth in the league. They haven’t finished a season in the top 10 for run defense since 2016 and have been outside the top 20 in four of the past six years, including 26th in 2022 and 28th in 2023.
“I think Haf’s doing a good job of mixing up the fronts and some of the coverages, but really it’s ultimately about tackling, swarming, getting many hats to the football,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “And our guys have really embraced that style of play.”
The Packers are allowing 4.2 yards per carry, ranking seventh in the league after finishing 22nd or worse in that category for the last three seasons. They haven’t finished a season in the top 10 for yards allowed per carry since 2017.
Hafley credits the improvement to the play of the defensive line.
“The interior part of our D-line has done such a good job these last few games,” Hafley said. “They really have. They’re hard to block. They’re staying in their gaps. They’re tearing off of blocks, and it’s the same thing with those defensive ends.
They’re setting edges, they’re forcing the ball back inside, they’re getting off blocks and then we’re tackling and we’re running to the ball and there’s multiple people to the ball.
“And when you turn on our tape right now and when you freeze it, you see that. You see a lot of guys around the football. And then you’re not afraid, right? Like if I have an open-field tackle and I know eight other guys are coming, I’m going to take my shot because I know if I miss, it’s going to be, ‘Bang, bang, bang,’ we’ve got three or four other guys there, and we’re starting to play faster.”
The Packers’ defense has caught the attention of the Lions.
“They’ve been playing well,” said Detroit coach Dan Campbell. “I mean, they have, really, all season, and nothing has changed.”
