Is it fair to be encouraged that the Green Bay Packers defense put together a cohesive and effective performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 10, limiting them to 16 points and keeping them out of the red zone for the entire game?
Absolutely. But let's keep things in perspective.
In the Green Bay Packers' Week 2 preseason bout with Washington, cornerback Josh Hawkins, an undrafted agent in 2016, was thrust into a starting role at cornerback due to injuries to Davon House and Damarious Randall.
It might take three months or three years, but rookie cornerback Kevin King could eventually become a starting outside corner for the Packers.
However, the team has yet to really get him on the field and see what he can do.
Until now.
Having some firepower at tight end this season will be a huge boon to the Green Bay Packers offense, but it's very likely that the free-agent addition that will have the biggest impact on the field this season is neither Martellus Bennett nor Lance Kendricks, but cornerback Davon House.
It's no secret that the Green Bay Packers seemed to actively address two traits in their NFL draft selections in 2017—specifically, at defensive back—that have been missing from the roster in recent years: speed and length.
The question now is whether those traits, which second-round cornerback selection Kevin King displays in spades, can win out for a starting role on Green Bay's defense in 2017.
On Sunday night against the Detroit Lions, however, the unit suffered a series of additional blows. Quinten Rollins left the game strapped to a board to go to the hospital after a scary-looking hit to his head/neck; per Mike McCarthy, he avoided serious injury but there's no word on whether he'll be able to go on Sunday against the Giants. Both Damarious Randall and Makinton Dorleant left the game with knee injuries, Randall is considered day-to-day, while Dorleant said initial tests showed no major structural damage.
It's been a rough road for the Packers secondary, which has been hampered by injuries all season. The team has needed leaders and playmakers to step up from within its ranks in its postseason push, and a key weapon who could be instrumental in the playoffs became clear in Week 17: defensive back Micah Hyde.
The 6-6 Green Bay Packers have gotten themselves into a situation in which every game has become a must-win. Two games back from the Detroit Lions and tied, record-wise, with the Minnesota Vikings but not currently holding the tiebreaker against them, Green Bay now has to beat the Seahawks, Bears, Vikings, and Lions to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.
Needless to say, it's imperative that every player turns it up to 11 over this final stretch and taps into his deepest reserve of aggression. The Packers have to want this more than anyone else. And, as far as the secondary goes, that's exactly what cornerback LaDarius Gunter has been doing.
The Packers defense is taking on the No. 1 wide receiver in football in Week 8 in Altanta's Julio Jones, and their best option for coverage on him looks like an undrafted free agent who is third on the depth chart: LaDarius Gunter.
The Packers risk losing Tramon Williams and Davon House if they can't get Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga under contract before the start of free agency.
On today's show, Andy is joined by PFF's salary cap expert - Brad Spielberger to discuss the expectations for Jordan Love's new contract, Green Bay's new contracts from the offseason, and what to expect from Eric Stokes' fifth-year option. Don't miss it!
Aaron is back from Orlando and ready to chat with Packers fans worldwide about everything that transpired this week at the NFL's annual owners meeting.