NFL standings ordered by takeaways: Packers new-look defense dominates
Three weeks into the season, we're beginning to learn about each team.
The Green Bay Packers faced uncertainty after losing Jordan Love to a sprained MCL, but they have thrived in two games with Malik Willis. He made history against his former team in Week 3, but Jeff Hafley's defense stole the show with an eight-sack, three-takeaway performance.
Hafley has already kept one of his promises after becoming defensive coordinator. He said it was all about the ball and wanted to lead the league in takeaways. Through three weeks, the Packers have done exactly that.
NFL standings based on takeaways: Packers defense is on fire
- Green Bay Packers (9)
- New Orleans Saints (7)
- Buffalo Bills (6)
- Chicago Bears (6)
- Minnesota Vikings (6)
- Los Angeles Chargers (5)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (5)
- Carolina Panthers (4)
- Denver Broncos (4)
- Indianapolis Colts (4)
- New York Giants (4)
- San Francisco 49ers (4)
- Arizona Cardinals (3)
- Baltimore Ravens (3)
- Cincinnati Bengals (3)
- Dallas Cowboys (3)
- Detroit Lions (3)
- Houston Texans (3)
- Kansas City Chiefs (3)
- Los Angeles Rams (3)
- Miami Dolphins (3)
- New York Jets (3)
- Seattle Seahawks (3)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3)
- Atlanta Falcons (2)
- Cleveland Browns (2)
- New England Patriots (2)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2)
- Las Vegas Raiders (1)
- Tennessee Titans (1)
- Washington Commanders (1)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (0)
The Packers already have seven interceptions, which is the same number they recorded all of last season. That's a credit to Hafley. Three of those picks belong to free-agent addition Xavier McKinney, who has made an All-Pro start to his Packers career.
Green Bay will get tougher challenges, beginning this week against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Sam Darnold is playing at an MVP level, just as everyone predicted.
The Packers play a more aggressive defense than in years past. Even when they held a two-score lead over the Tennessee Titans, Hafley called press-man coverages instead of soft zones that Joe Barry used to prefer when ahead. It's a riskier approach, but Hafley's vision-based defense creates turnover opportunities, and the Packers are cashing in.
Three NFC North teams rank inside the top five for takeaways through three weeks. It should make for a fascinating battle in the division between now and January.
More Packers news and analysis
feed