Green Bay Defense Allows 73 Points in Five Games
The Packers rely on a high-scoring defense to offset a last-place running game, holding opponents to 14.6 points per game over their recent stretch.
By Ethan Cooper ·
The Green Bay Packers have allowed only 73 points across their last five games, a defensive standard that has stabilized the team during a turbulent season. That total represents the lowest five-game scoring average for Green Bay since 2021, the year the franchise secured the top seed in the National Football Conference.
The defensive performance was on full display during a 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. The win moved the Packers to a 5-3 record, though they still face a stiff challenge in the NFC North. Every team in their division currently holds a winning record, meaning Green Bay must maintain its current trajectory to secure a playoff berth.
The Packers' offensive struggles remain a persistent issue. The team holds the NFL's worst ranking in the running game. On Thursday, they faced the league's worst run defense but managed just 66 yards on 26 carries. This lack of ground production limits Green Bay's ability to control the clock and protect late-game leads.
Carolina capitalized on the offensive gap to cut a 17-point deficit to a 10-point one, but the Green Bay defense prevented a complete collapse. The Panthers were held to just five successful conversions on 18 third-down attempts. Green Bay's three turnovers resulted in only three points for the visitors, a testament to the unit's ability to stop drives quickly.
Depth has been a critical factor in maintaining this defensive intensity. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, a Pro Bowl performer before his season-ending Achilles injury on October 4, is out for the year. Zaire Franklin has also missed two straight games with a knee injury. Despite these absences, the unit has remained effective.
Ty'Rón Hopper started at linebacker on Thursday and recorded a sack and an interception. His performance earned him the game ball. New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has maintained an aggressive scheme, a role he assumed after Jeff Hafley departed for the Miami Dolphins. Gannon's approach relies on multiple players stepping up, a dynamic that safety Javon Bullard described as a group of selfless athletes willing to do the dirty work for teammates.
The offensive line also weathered its own challenges, missing center Sean Rhyan and guard Travis Glover to injuries. Despite the gaps, the unit kept quarterback Jordan Love off the field, recording no sacks against him in the contest.
