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How the Green Bay Packers can build an elite defense

By Freddie Boston

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) and Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) sack Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) and Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) sack Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) and free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) react after a play call was overturned in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) and free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) react after a play call was overturned in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

What will it take for the Green Bay Packers defense to be considered elite?

There have been consistent improvements on defense for the Green Bay Packers since the start of the 2014 season. No longer is the unit a pushover against the run with a leaky secondary to back it up. But improvements still need to be made before it can be considered one of the league’s top units.

The Packers finished the season at No. 15 in total defense – No. 6 against the pass and No. 21 against the run. It’s clear what the weakness is, and that’s stopping the run. This is an area we’ve seen gradually improve over the past couple of years, and they did an excellent job keeping the likes of Marshawn Lynch, Jamaal Charles and Adrian Peterson in check.

Dom Capers had one of his best seasons as defensive coordinator in 2015. Why? Because he was finally surrounded with talent capable of executing his schemes. Capers opened up the playbook and played to the strengths of his players. In years past, he’s been unable to do this.

Staying healthy is of course key; the Packers can ill afford to lose the likes of Mike Daniels and Clay Matthews. But what else will it take to become elite?

Next: In the best position to succeed

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