Joe Barry must show willingness to change for Packers to beat Giants

The Green Bay Packers' defense is built to stop pass-first teams like the Kansas City Chiefs. They need to adjust to stop the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.

Defensive coordinator Joe Barry tends to play soft coverages to keep everything in front of the players. It limits big plays and forces opponents to throw short and rely on yards after catch, but it also invites the run.

That can become a problem against teams willing to run the football over and over.

It's no secret how the Giants will attack the Packers. New York ranks last in the NFL for passing yards and 27th in passing touchdowns. The Giants will lean on star running back Saquon Barkley early and often, and the Packers must prove they have an answer.

Packers must go all out to stop run vs. Giants

Barry needs to play more aggressively against the Giants, forcing them to throw. Put the game in the hands of backup quarterback Tommy DeVito.

Green Bay didn't take this approach against the Pittsburgh Steelers and paid the price.

The Steelers like to run the ball and use the quick passing game. The Packers' defense sat off, playing right into Pittsburgh's strengths. The Steelers rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns, with Kenny Pickett only needing to attempt 23 passes.

The Packers' run defense is 30th in the NFL, but they rank 10th against the pass. They must stack the box to stop the run.

Green Bay can't make the same mistake on Monday night. Priority number one for Joe Barry is to stop the run. Put the Giants in long third downs, forcing them to throw to win.

The offense can help by scoring early and building a lead. But Barry can't rely on the other side of the ball to make the Giants one-dimensional. His defense must be aggressive against the run.

It's not how the Packers typically play, but they must adjust to beat the Giants.

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