Linebackers
Team Favre
Outside – Bryce Paup: A standout early in the Favre era with 32.5 sacks, 193 tackles, eight forced fumbles and four interceptions in five seasons. One of four Pro Bowls came with the Packers.
Middle – Nick Barnett: In eight seasons, he totaled 575 tackles, 15.5 sacks, and nine interceptions. He won a ring (with Rodgers), but was on injured reserve after Week 4.
Outside – Brian Williams: In six seasons, he recorded 252 tackles, six sacks, four interceptions and six fumble recoveries. His career peaked during Favre’s Super Bowl years.
Backup – Outside, Wayne Simmons: In five seasons, he tallied 175 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Had 68 tackles, four sacks in 1995.
Backup – Middle, Bernardo Harris: In seven seasons, he totaled 335 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three FF, and four FR. The definition of a solid MLB.
Backup – Outside, Na’il Diggs: He claimed 312 tackles, four picks and seven sacks in six seasons. Career-best 76 tackles in 2003.
Team Rodgers
Outside – Clay Matthews: He’s a six-time Pro Bowler, was an elite defender on the Super Bowl XLV team. Has 80 sacks, 14 FF and counting in nine seasons.
Middle – A.J. Hawk: In nine years, he finished with nine interceptions, 628 tackles and four forced fumbles. Topped 80 tackles in a season twice.
Middle – Blake Martinez: Like Clark and Lowry, he’s another gem from the 2016 draft class. Emerged with 94 tackles last year.
Outside – Julius Peppers: Hybrid defensive end, future Hall-of-Famer. In three seasons, his sack total was 25. Career sacks: 154.5.
Backup – Outside, Nick Perry: He’s got 30.5 sacks and 134 tackles in six seasons. Set a career-high in 2016 with 11 sacks.
Backup – Middle, Desmond Bishop: 220 tackles and nine sacks in six years. Stepped up to replace the injured Barnett with 75 tackles in 2010.
Backup – Middle, Jake Ryan: 137 tackles in three seasons; capable but rookie Oren Burks will challenge him.
Advantage
Team Rodgers. On the flipside of the 4-3 vs. 3-4 schematic basis, Rodgers’ squads have relied on pass rush more from the linebackers. Even so, the likes of Matthews, Peppers, and even Hawk outshine the LBs on Team Favre.