Green Bay Packers Week 12 Fantasy Profile

Nov 16, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker

(56) celebrates an interception return for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 53-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Defense

Last Week: 20 Points Allowed, 3 sacks, 4 Turnovers (2 INT, 2 Fumble), 3 TDs (INT, Fumble, Punt Return); 30 fantasy points

If last week is a sign of things to come from this defense, the rest of the league better be terrified. I am, and that’s as of fan of this team.

Philadelphia came in with a legitimately strong offense that excels at running a fast pace and moving the ball. A team that is widely considered a great test for any defense. If this was a test, Green Bay passed it in record-time, because this game was out of reach before halftime.

If Green Bay is able to do that to a strong offense, just imagine how badly lesser squads will fare (and that isn’t even accounting for the offensive side of the ball).

In fantasy terms, things may have been even more impressive. The Packers garnered 30 fantasy points through their defensive exploits, which is utterly ridiculous.

Obviously that won’t happen every week (how often do the defense/ST groups of a team combine for 3 TDs in the same game?) but the fact that it happened at all — and against the type of team that it occurred against — is something that should stand out and possibly point to more strong showings from here on throughout the rest of the season.

Last time this defense played Minnesota, things weren’t quite as fully formed on that end but they still managed to put up a very strong effort to nearly shut the Vikings out until late in garbage-time. Fantasy-wise, that was the 2nd-best performance by this group (1st was last week).

A lot has changed since then. The Vikings will have Teddy Bridgewater out there at QB instead of Christian Ponder, which is an obvious upgrade for now and their future. They’ve also just added Ben Tate through a waiver acquisition; he’ll be joining Jerick McKinnon to try doing a better job at running than was exhibited by McKinnon and Asiata in Week 5. These factors, plus being at home, could help the performances improve across the team and give the Packers a much more competitive game.

But still, the Packers have also improved across the board and will be in even better position than last time to handle anything this team can throw at them. Expect the defense to not have quite as many breaks go their way as they have in the past couple weeks, but still get plenty of happenings work in their favor for yet another overall strong performance on the field and in fantasy leagues country-wide.

Prediction: 13 Points Allowed, 4 sacks, 3 Turnovers (1 Fumble, 2 INT); 14 fantasy points
Verdict: Start