Packers: Five things they need to fix during the bye week

5. Find stability at safety

Finding some kind of competent combination at safety could go a long way to helping the defense. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has regressed since his 2016 Pro Bowl season and this appears to be his last year in Green Bay. Clinton-Dix does lead the team with three interceptions, but two of them were gimmies from quarterbacks.

Kentrell Brice is a fierce hitter with all the speed you could ask for in a safety, but he can’t track a ball and has been beat on deep routes multiple times. Both Brice and Clinton-Dix, as well as Josh Jones, are players better suited playing near the line of scrimmage. None of the three have shown to be the deep “center fielder”.

Jermaine Whitehead has seen his role expand. Whitehead has played slot corner and nickel linebacker. It might be time to start giving him more playing time as the deep safety. The Packers also have to see what they have in Josh Jones. Is he more of a new-aged linebacker or can he be a starting strong safety?

The Packers should see what Raven Greene can bring to the table. The undrafted free agent rookie has yet to see playing time on defense and has been used only on special teams. They must try any and everything to shore up this spot.

The season has not started the way anyone could’ve expected. The Packers could just as easily be 6-0 as 0-6. They have not been out of any game and a few more plays made could’ve been the difference in their current record being better than what it is.

As it stands now though, they are 3-2-1 and are facing a very difficult five-game stretch that could define their season. Win three out of the five and the division and playoffs are very attainable. Lose three or more and they will need help and hope others fail as well.

Looking around the NFC, no one is running away with their division outside of the Rams. The other teams in the NFC North have their problems too. The Packers still have a game against each of their division opponents as well as a favorable schedule to close the season.

There is still time to turn things around. This isn’t the time to fire everyone, burn down the barn and start the offseason. Now is the time for adjustments and better execution.

Just get into the playoffs and from there you have a shot.