Cory's Corner: Eleven Guys Playing As One
The Packers are showcasing how important a 'We' defense is vs. a 'Me' defense.
The Packers looked a little clunky at times and still came away with a dominant 27-18 win over the Commanders on Thursday in a festive white-out atmosphere at Lambeau Field.
It was easily the loudest game I’ve ever attended and that includes the NFC Divisional Playoff vs. the Cowboys on Jan. 11, 2015. (Dez Bryant never caught it.)
The Packers outgained the Commanders 404-230 in total yardage and only won by nine. Green Bay had 10 penalties, Josh Jacobs had one run of 10 yards or more and the offensive line allowed 11 hurries thanks mainly to Zach Tom and Aaron Banks being inactive.
Regardless, it didn’t matter. This defense is like watching 11 Corvettes race to the ball.
“What I’ve been telling everyone, defense — ‘J-Love, I think you give us 20 points, we should be able to win that game,’” said Micah Parsons, who tallied three hurries and half a sack against Washington. “It’s all about getting stops and getting the ball back to the offense.”
That’s the microcosm of this defense. It is really playing as one group. Nobody is playing hero ball and thinking about personal stats. Granted, Parsons might be the best pass rusher in the league, but he has made every single defensive player better the moment he opened the doors at 1265 Lombardi Ave. Keisean Nixon might have had his best game as a defensive back with four pass breakups in addition to a pair of tackles.
“The ball was just coming my way,” said Nixon. “I usually don’t get that many targets in a game, but I was in my zone. I knew what I can do.”
It has only been two games but the Packers have aced both tests against two very good teams. This is a special team not simply because of one or two guys but because of how well those guys fit together. In 53 pass attempts, Jordan Love doesn’t have an interception. Eleven players have caught a pass this season — including Malik Heath’s amazing 37-yard toe tapper on Thursday.
But the player that has really raised eyebrows for me is second year safety Javon Bullard. He is currently third on the team in total tackles with 14 after racking up five solo tackles on Thursday. This is a team with Parsons, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt and he’s only behind Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker for tackles. That’s pretty amazing. He is showing that teams cannot just look at his 5-foot-10, 198-pound frame and expect to get chunks of yards.
“No big plays,” Parsons said. “We made them earn everything, and that’s the good part.”
The scary part for the rest of the NFL is that this team still has room to grow. They’ve played two games and have played dominant football but have still allowed room for improvement.
Right now the defense is playing in fifth gear as it sprints to the ball on every play. When the offense catches up by being more consistent, this team is going to be downright scary.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (21)
Cheesetony
September 13, 2025 at 07:16 am
I'm looking forward to Love and Golden having more time to practice together over the next few weeks. The plays were there. Once they are on the same page with their timing, the sky's the limit.
TKWorldWide
September 13, 2025 at 07:32 am
Agreed on all points. Hope Tom and Banks are healthy soon. Really fun to watch this defense. GPG!
Guam
September 13, 2025 at 07:58 am
The Packers' passing game has been good with the best parts being great pass pro and no drops. I can only dream what it will look like later in the year with Watson and Reed back!
The running game has been a little out of sync with few really good holes and almost no long runs. Jacobs has been getting yardage on his own in too many cases. I'm hoping the run blocking gets better when everyone gets healthy and they can put the same five O-linemen out there for more than one quarter. It's hard to get well coordinated run blocking when there is a revolving door of O-linemen.
NFLfan
September 13, 2025 at 08:08 am
A bit off-topic but shows the comaraderie and fun these guys have with each other.
I like to watch the You-Tube 'Shorts'- (short videos) -(Youtube Shorts-GBPackers).
They are hilarious. Guys are filmed walking down the halls after games. There are some real characters:
The most comical and outgoing; Evan Williams, Matt Orzech, Sean Rhyan, Malik Heath, Valentine, Jacobs.
Evan Williams could have his own show-he is hilarious.
greengold
September 13, 2025 at 08:10 am
“ This defense is like watching 11 Corvettes race to the ball.”
Supersonic Kudos, Cory!
Since'61
September 13, 2025 at 09:09 am
It’s still early in the season but the Packers defense has been very impressive.
The OL needs to get healthy and improve their run blocking. The pass pro has been solid.
It’s great to start 2-0. Next we get to see if the Packers can maintain their sense of urgency and intensity on the road. GPG! Thanks, Since ‘61
RobinsonDavis
September 13, 2025 at 09:29 am
I agree Cory...it is about the TEAM! When we talk of the TEAM, we should be looking at team stats. I had to add this though, the other bookend to Micah often, is Gary, who still is chipped occasionally. PFF gave Gary a grade of 60.2 and Kruse (thank you, Zach!), explained the PFF grade as "Gary had four pressures and a sack but earned a middling grade as a pass-rusher."
Well, let's do some math, At that rate, Gary should have 68 pressures and 17 sacks on the year. Middling???? It's like PFF is looking to downgrade something. Remember Gary rushed against the vet, Tunsil, most of the time...not the rookie!! Go RASHAN! Go MICHAH! GO PACK!
Leatherhead
September 13, 2025 at 02:40 pm
Distrust of PFF is the beginning of all pigskin understanding.
My eyes tell me that we've given up 3 TDs in 2 games to the top scoring teams from last year. All three of those TDs were in the 4th quarter. One was a miracle grab.
Gary is a good DE for us. Run or Pass. The rotation we have now of Gary, Parsons, Van Ness, Enagbare, etc. is a real good group.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 13, 2025 at 04:00 pm
Washington is a very good team, at least on paper: their young QB is already an absolute phenom, he still has scary Terry and they added Deebo Samuel. Tunsil at LT. Von Miller on D.
Yes they all got their plays in but GB HANDLED them!! Amazing start to this season :)
dobber
September 13, 2025 at 09:39 am
"... Javon Bullard. He is currently third on the team in total tackles with 14 after racking up five solo tackles on Thursday. This is a team with Parsons, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt and he’s only behind Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker for tackles."
Umm...it's usually safeties and off-ball LBs that lead the team in tackles. Not DL.
RobinsonDavis
September 13, 2025 at 09:49 am
He tackled better in this game, truly wrapping-up, and thumping people! The Lion's game he tackled well, too....he just did not wrap-up all the time!
LeotisHarris
September 13, 2025 at 02:01 pm
Whatever, dobber. They're still rolling snake eyes and playing as one like they're on roller skates. Welcome to The Corner, we got fun and games...
ricky
September 13, 2025 at 10:04 am
Two things are very different about the Packers defense this year. First, and this has been talked about extensively, is getting pressure with the front four, letting the LB's able to clean up any loose ends. But what hasn't been mentioned nearly as much is the tackling has improved. This year, even if it's just one-on-one, the defender hits the offensive player, and they go down. Not hit, bounce off, or slip off, or whiff. Solid tackling that stops a play dead. Credit has to go to the coaches, who seem to have finally instilled some basic skills to the defense.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 13, 2025 at 04:03 pm
Also notice that LVN has made some of those GREAT tackles solo, breaking through all by himself, and finishing the play all by himself. We're seeing contributions from EVERYBODY :)
splitpea1
September 13, 2025 at 11:18 am
How about some love for our new assistant defensive coaches? It took a few years, but we now have a great mix of teachers and organizers that have this defense playing at a new level. Of course it really helps to have Parsons, but players like Wyatt and LVN who needed to step it up have done just that.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 13, 2025 at 04:08 pm
Yup I'm thinking coaching has to be part of the improvement we're seeing, and not just Hafley. Also notice improvements in JL10's play: throwing the ball away rather than putting it at risk. Running sometimes when he can. When he deliberately took contact that was on a third and 9, and if he had avoided contact it would have ended the drive. He was fine, and knew he was just going up against a DB.
And our HC is sober about how much work they need to do to fix their sloppy mistakes :)
PackerBackerAZ
September 13, 2025 at 02:29 pm
Banks wasn't playing all that good before he exited the Detroit game. Hopefully he performs up to that contract on his return to the lineup.
This team, at least the defense, should be scaring every offensive coordinator/play caller on the schedule.
Forget DPOY, Parsons should be the early favorite for MVP. The Packers defense is totally different because he's in the lineup. His being accounted and adjusted for allows those elite athletes to fulfill there promise of elite play.
The run defense is amazing and Covington has to be a big reason for it.
Be afraid NFL. Be very afraid.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 13, 2025 at 04:09 pm
While I have 0 insight into coach Covington I'm thinking you have to be right, he's a significant part of the improvement we're seeing.
Leatherhead
September 13, 2025 at 02:52 pm
On Bullard, this guy is a defender, heart and soul. Smart, fast, tough and strong, he's a real help to this defense. If The Plan is to attack Bullard, you should have a beer and think of a new plan.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 13, 2025 at 04:11 pm
The guy's a BULL! I was a fan of his potential as soon as we got him, but now he's really showing it :)
LambeauPlain
September 14, 2025 at 08:52 am
Two games in and the Defense is leading the team....setting the table early in both games and dictating to the opponent's offense.
Since arriving at 1265, Hafley's oft stated goal is getting "consistent pressure with the front 4". Last year he needed to sprinkle in more blitzes and stunts to harass the QB. This season the big 4 are creating havoc and the LBs behind them are not just cleaning up, but making TFL impact plays.
But the speed in the front 7, or 6 (nickel) has to be the fastest in the NFL, or close to it. They remain one of the youngest teams...also so fast, quick, and decisive to swarm to the ball carrier.
Last season Hafley instilled his "vision and break" to the ball mindset and demanded hard tackling, gang tackling, get the carrier on the ground...and it worked. Now his vision is dictating game flow. Amazing start! Parsons has been the supercharged synergy catalyst.