Packers: 3 biggest questions on defense entering 2019 season

Can the Packers win games on defense?

With a new offense, it’s inevitable that the Packers will have games where they make mistakes. In games that the offense struggles, the Packers will need the defense to step up and win the game for the team.

We saw a couple of signs of this last season. Green Bay shut out Buffalo’s offense despite the Packers only putting up 22 points. They also limited Miami to just 12 points, although the offense was much better in that game, scoring 31 points.

Rewind to Week 3 of last season. The Packers offense made a bad start to the game at Washington, punting on three of their first four possessions with a field goal scored on the other. But Green Bay’s defense had no answer for Washington’s offense, allowing 28 first-half points including a 98-yard touchdown drive. Washington needed just four plays to go 75 yards for a touchdown on their opening drive.

Down by 18 points entering the third quarter, the Packers were already way behind. Had the defense stepped up, they could’ve kept the team in the game.

When the offense isn’t playing well this season, can Mike Pettine’s defense step up and keep the game close? Will they be able to make game-winning stops and turnovers regularly?