As long as the Green Bay Packers remain unable to establish a rushing attack, they’re going to lean heavily on their defense to carry them.
asserted
they → remain → them
That defense seems quite capable of handling that responsibility.
asserted
defense → seem → responsibility
Green Bay has won four of its last five games and has allowed a total of 73 points during that stretch.
asserted
Bay → win → stretch
That marks the fewest points the Packers have given up over a five-game span since 2021, a year in which Green Bay went on to earn the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.
asserted
Bay → mark → seed
“I think we’ve got some very good players, some very unselfish players, guys that don’t mind doing the dirty work for somebody else to make a play,” safety Javon Bullard said after the Packers’ 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.
asserted
Bullard → think → Thursday
“And I think we have an amazing coaching staff as well.”
asserted
we → think → staff
The Packers (5-3) still have plenty of work to do just to assure themselves of a playoff spot in the rugged NFC North, where every team is at least two games above .500.
asserted
team → have → .500
Green Bay continues to have the NFL’s lowest-ranked running game, which makes it tough for the Packers to utilize a ball-control offense to protect their leads.
asserted
Packers → continue → leads
That became apparent Thursday as Carolina rallied from a 27-10 deficit.
asserted
Carolina → become → deficit
But the Panthers couldn’t come all the way back because Green Bay’s defense wouldn’t allow it.
asserted
defense → come → it
The depth of Green Bay’s defense was evident from the fact that six different Packers recorded one sack each.
asserted
Packers → record → sack
“We all knew that coming into the year, that we’re a deep defense,” safety Evan Williams said.
asserted
Williams → know → year
“It’s always a next-man-up mentality. …
asserted
It → ’ → ?
For other teams, people say that and it’s somebody that’s untested coming in, unsure of themselves and people feel like you got to pick up for where other people are coming in.
asserted
people → say → themselves
But for us, we have a bunch of dogs.”
asserted
we → have → dogs
That has enabled Green Bay to overcome numerous injuries.
asserted
That → enable → injuries
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was playing at a Pro Bowl level before injuring his Achilles tendon on Oct. 4, knocking him out for the rest of the season.
asserted
Cooper → play → season
Linebacker Zaire Franklin has missed two straight games with a shin injury.
asserted
Franklin → miss → injury
The Packers haven’t missed a beat without them.
asserted
Packers → miss → them
Ty’Ron Hopper filled in at linebacker Thursday and recorded a sack and an interception, earning himself a game ball.
asserted
Hopper → fill → ball
That depth enables new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to maintain his aggressive approach as if the Packers were at full strength.
asserted
Packers → enable → strength
Gannon was hired as defensive coordinator after Jeff Hafley left to become the Miami Dolphins’ head coach.
asserted
Hafley → hire → coordinator
“He’s not scared,” Bullard said.
asserted
Bullard → ’ → ?
“He’s not shying away from things because we lost a couple of players.
asserted
we → shy → players
He’s still going to dial that (stuff) up and I think that’s huge.
asserted
that → go → stuff
It shows a lot of confidence in the players that we have, and honestly that’s huge kudos to him, because it’s not a lot of coaches (who) dial it up like that.”
asserted
who → show → that
Green Bay’s defense has done all this without All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, who is still working his way back from the torn anterior cruciate ligament that ended his 2025 season early.
asserted
that → do → season
The Packers are hoping Parsons starts practicing with the team next week, which could allow him to return by late November.
uncertain
him → hop → November
“I think we’re all confident in ourselves to get the job done,” rookie edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton said.
asserted
Sutton → think → ourselves
“We’ve done it all season.
asserted
We → do → it
And then obviously when Micah gets back, he’s going to be a great addition.”
asserted
he → get → ?
What’s working
Green Bay’s defense limited Carolina to 5 of 18 on third-down conversions.
asserted
defense → work → conversions
Green Bay’s three turnovers led to only three Carolina points because of how well the Packers’ defense responded to adversity.
asserted
defense → lead → adversity
Although Green Bay’s offensive line was missing center Sean Rhyan and guard Travis Glover due to injuries, the Packers didn’t allow Jordan Love to be sacked.
asserted
Love → miss → injuries
What needs work
The Packers faced the NFL’s lowest-ranked run defense Thursday and still couldn’t move the ball on the ground.
asserted
Packers → need → ground
They gained just 66 yards on 26 carries.
asserted
They → gain → carries
Hopper became the first Packer since Charles Woodson in 2009 to have at least three passes defensed, a sack and an interception in the same game.
asserted
Hopper → become → game
… TE Tucker Kraft has caught a touchdown pass in back-to-back games.
asserted
Kraft → catch → games
… WR Christian Watson already has career highs in catches (42) and yards receiving (708) this season.
asserted
Watson → have → catches
K Trey Smack had an extra-point attempt bounce off the left upright.
asserted
attempt → have → upright
…and 6 more, not listed.
The Aporia
