A wounded animal is the most dangerous.
That describes the Green Bay Packers, whose Super Bowl hopes took a significant blow following the loss of Micah Parsons, and they may also miss second-year safety Evan Williams for Saturday's duel with the Chicago Bears. Not to mention the concerning list of offensive injuries, including Christian Watson, Zach Tom, and Josh Jacobs.
But defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is having none of it. Wounded, yes, but down for the count? No chance. He sent a clear message to everyone writing off the Packers, and the Bears may want to pay close attention.
"Give our defense and give our team adversity, and watch what happens. And we'll find out," Hafley said.
Fired-up Jeff Hafley delivers a clear message with three huge games coming up for Packers
What a line. And Hafley wasn't done.
"I think it's important for everyone to understand that these guys have a lot of pride and they're going to get even closer because of this. And they're going to play well. Our best players are going to step up. And the guys who haven't played a lot, that's been our job all year, is to develop those guys," Hafley added.
"So in situations like this, they're going to step up and we're going to play hard and we're going to coach hard and we're going to do everything we can to win. That's my take on all this. This is press on full speed ahead and we're ready to go."
The Packers face three massive games to close out the season, beginning at Soldier Field on Saturday night. Hafley's defense made a hot start against the Bears two weeks ago, limiting their powerful run game to 3.7 yards per carry, while Caleb Williams threw for just 32 yards.
But the momentum swung in the second half. Chicago's run game began to take over, and only a last-ditch Keisean Nixon interception in the end zone prevented a potential game-tying or even game-stealing touchdown, had the Bears scored and gone for two, as the Seattle Seahawks just did on Thursday Night Football to stun the Los Angeles Rams.
It's a heavyweight battle between Hafley, one of the league's premier defensive minds on the verge of landing a head coaching job, and Ben Johnson, the Bears' first-year head coach who earned the job after proving himself as an elite offensive coordinator in Detroit.
The Johnson-Matt LaFleur rivalry has taken center stage. Johnson started it by saying how he enjoyed beating LaFleur twice a year with the Lions, although it was the Packers who took Round 1 at Lambeau two weeks ago. Both head coaches played down the rivalry, although their icy postgame handshake said it all.
The Packers would love to complete the season sweep over Johnson's Bears, but Hafley's right about the adversity facing this team.
His defense, already missing Devonte Wyatt, must now overcome the loss of two more vital starters. Parsons won't return this season, and while Williams' injury isn't a long-term concern, it could wipe him out for multiple games.
Hafley led the Packers to No. 6 in total defense last season, long before Parsons arrived. But he did have Wyatt. And Kenny Clark. And T.J. Slaton.
Give them adversity and watch what happens, Hafley says. We've already seen examples this season and throughout LaFleur's tenure.
Green Bay hit rock bottom after defeats to the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, especially after losing Tucker Kraft for the year. But the Packers roared back with four straight wins, rebuilding the offense with some help from a rejuvenated Christian Watson.
LaFleur's Packers stand tall in the face of adversity.
In 2022, they lost five straight and seven of eight, falling to 3-6 and later 4-8. But they rallied back to come within one victory of a postseason berth. Twelve months later, they again dropped to 3-6 in Year 1 of the Jordan Love era, only to win seven of their next nine games and reach the divisional round. Toyotathon Jordan Love debuted, and he delivered one of the greatest playoff performances in Packers history.
Last season, the Packers dropped their season opener and lost Love to injury. With their backs against the wall, they battled to win both of Malik Willis' starts, who had only been in Green Bay for a matter of days.
When adversity strikes, LaFleur's Packers fight harder. Hafley will have a point to prove with his defense on Saturday night. He can expect a heavy dose of the run game, especially with Chicago ruling out its top two receivers, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III.
It's a daunting task for a Packers team facing life after Parsons, but Hafley's message hits hard. Ben Johnson spoke a big game in January but failed to back it up in Round 1.
Round 2 is here, and the Bears have a chance to deliver a potential knockout blow to the Packers' NFC North hopes. But this Green Bay team is no stranger to being on the ropes – they have a history of thriving with their backs against the wall. And Hafley knows it.
Adversity has struck. Now watch what happens.