Following a close call against the Carolina Panthers, the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator, Joe Barry, faces the challenge of preparing for Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings in an upcoming Sunday night game.
On Christmas Eve, doubts lingered whether Barry would have been permitted on the team plane had his struggling defense conceded a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter against Carolina.
Though a touch of exaggeration, Barry’s assessment of the defense’s performance in the 33-30 victory appeared inflated. Reflecting on the win, he mentioned, “We found a way to win the game, thankfully.”
Upon returning to training, Barry focused on the positives, stating, “I thought for 53 minutes, we played very well.” However, he acknowledged the defense’s shortcomings in the final seven minutes, attributing crucial third-down conversions and penalties as areas of concern.
The statistics up to the 48-minute mark appeared promising compared to Carolina’s season averages. Yet, allowing more points than Carolina’s typical average and the Panthers scoring on three out of seven possessions did not align with Barry’s depiction of playing “very well.”
The game’s latter stages saw a dramatic shift, with the Packers’ defense struggling against Carolina’s rookie quarterback, resulting in a last-minute surge of 155 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Barry likened his defense’s performance to a weary heavyweight fighter clinging onto the ropes, barely surviving the match. The Panthers nearly had an opportunity to force overtime with a last-second field goal attempt, highlighting the precarious situation.
Barry emphasized the need for consistent play throughout the entirety of a game, citing the team’s requirement to perform for a full 60 minutes.
The game against the Vikings presents a new challenge with rookie Jaren Hall making his second NFL start. Despite Hall lacking Young’s throwing ability, the Vikings pose a threat with star receivers Justin Jefferson and potentially Jordan Addison returning.
Compounded by the absence of top cornerback Jaire Alexander, Barry faces scrutiny as the defensive coordinator following a mix of impressive and underwhelming performances against various quarterbacks.
Transitioning strategies from a conservative zone to an aggressive style has yet to yield consistent results for the Packers’ defense. Barry remains perplexed by the team’s performance and seeks solutions, expressing a willingness to pay for a magic fix if it were available.
