Eagles have already exposed a weakness in new-look Packers defense
There is no such thing as a perfect defensive scheme. The Green Bay Packers are finding out why.
Jeff Hafley has brought a new approach as Joe Barry's replacement. The days of soft zone coverages are gone. Hafley plays with more aggression, with far more man coverages than in Barry's system. He wants players to react fast, get to the ball, and play fearless football.
We've already seen the benefits. Green Bay forced turnovers on Philadelphia's opening two possessions, an Xavier McKinney interception followed by a Devonte Wyatt fumble recovery on a botched snap. For the most part, they've limited the Eagles' ground game and prevented Jalen Hurts from finding success on the ground.
However, the Eagles have responded and found a way past Hafley's aggression, and it's something the Packers need to pay close attention to.
HURTS TO SAQUON FOR THE @EAGLES FIRST TD!
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2024
📺: #GBvsPHI on Peacock pic.twitter.com/WeEql9w1Ed
Saquon Barkley touchdown exposes a concern for Packers defense under Jeff Hafley
The Eagles showed a way to beat Hafley's more aggressive defense. Green Bay blitzed Quay Walker and had man coverage. Philadelphia smartly had running back Saquon Barkley line up in the backfield, giving him a one-on-one matchup with linebacker Isaiah McDuffie.
There was little McDuffie could do to chase down Barkley, who caught an 18-yard touchdown from Hurts to give the Eagles the lead.
Everyone wants more aggressive (I do too) but if you don’t make that first tackle - big plays can happen. Was almost a big sack for Nixon but results in a huge play for Brown. More risk. More reward. More big plays given up. Comes with the style.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) September 7, 2024
It was a perfect play design and a smart way of finding a favorable matchup.
Hafley's style will bring plenty of positives to Green Bay. He isn't afraid to blitz and send pressure, which should lead to more turnovers. However, if the pressure doesn't get home quickly, it puts more stress on the secondary.
It also places a greater emphasis on tackling, which the Packers have struggled with early in this game.
Hafley's system provides a risk-reward, and the first half of the Packers' season opener perfectly encapsulates this. He will bring more aggression, but that can lead to big plays for the opposing team. The Eagles have shown a way to score against this system.
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