Packers: Three ways they can make Super Bowl run

2. Make game-changing plays on defense

Green Bay’s defense has turned things around dramatically over the past month, a great sign for the playoffs. But this group likely won’t be the best in the postseason. That’s OK, though. As long as the defense can play its part and be a complement to the offense, this team can go far.

That means some bending is OK, just not too much breaking. And when this defense is at its best, the pass rush is getting home and the secondary is breaking up passes. Once or twice in a game, this will lead to turnover opportunities.

If the defense can convert some of these and force takeaways, it could be the difference between the Packers winning the Lombardi Trophy and falling short.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense protect the football better than any other team. The Packers turned the ball over a league-low 11 times in the regular season. Defenses will need to work hard to take the ball away.

Green Bay’s defense only had 18 takeaways in the regular season, but 11 of them came in the final seven games. The Packers forced at least one turnover in six of those seven games. And they also went 6-1 down the stretch.

This defense has stepped up in a big way late in the season. They don’t need to shut down opposing offenses completely, but if they can put in solid performances and, crucially, make a game-changing play or two, it could make all the difference.