GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — New Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s offseason emphasis on increasing turnovers is paying off early.
Green Bay’s defense has forced five interceptions and six turnovers through the first two weeks of the season, leading the NFL in both categories as of Monday.
It’s a dramatic change from last season, when the Packers threw just seven interceptions all season, second only to the Tennessee Titans with six for last place in the NFL.
The Packers (1-1) have said they enjoy playing in Hafley’s system.
“I’ve said this all offseason, but I can play with quarterback vision and I especially enjoy that.” “It’s a big moment for us,” Packers safety Xavier McKinney said after Sunday’s 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. “And we know we can do that because as a defense, we can play off our instincts, we can sense different things, see different things and trust what we see and go out there and play.”
The Packers signed McKinnie from the New York Giants during the offseason to bolster the safety position, one of the team’s biggest weaknesses.
He responded by intercepting a pass in each of Green Bay’s first two games. Last year, no Packers player intercepted more than two passes all season.
McKinney recorded the first of Green Bay’s three interceptions Sunday when linebacker Quay Walker pressured Anthony Richardson, forcing him to overthrow a pass intended for Alec Pierce. Eric Wilson had an interception early in the fourth quarter and Evan Williams intercepted Richardson’s desperation pass on the final play of the game.
Green Bay’s agile defense and dynamic rushing attack helped the Packers win without starting quarterback Jordan Love, who injured his left medial collateral ligament in the season-opening 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Packers rushed for 261 yards, including 237 in the first half alone, with Malik Willis replacing Love and avoiding the costly mistakes made by Richardson.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur gave no word Monday on whether Love will be available for Tennessee’s next game.
“I know he’s doing everything he can.” LaFleur said. “If he’s ready, he’ll be ready. And if he’s not ready, we’ll go ahead with Malik.”
Green Bay’s defense recorded two interceptions and one fumble recovery against Philadelphia, but they couldn’t slow the Eagles down when they weren’t losing the ball. The Packers defense was much more effective Sunday and managed to force turnovers at key times.
The McKinney and Wilson interceptions came after Indianapolis reached the Green Bay 40-yard line. Williams’ interception sealed the victory.
“Everybody’s just playing hard.” “I’m not going to lie,” said Wilson, who forced the fumble. “When we all play together, I think it’s a beautiful sight.”
What’s working?
The Packers entered Monday having rushed for an NFL-leading 424 yards through the first two weeks of the season. Josh Jacobs ran for 235 yards as of Monday, ranking third in the league. … Green Bay’s plus-4 turnover margin ranked second in the league as of Monday behind Pittsburgh’s plus-5. … Packers opponents have converted just 26 percent of their third-down conversion attempts (6-of-23).
Areas that need improvement
Green Bay’s red-zone struggles continued after Jacobs fumbled in the end zone. The Packers have gotten inside the 20-yard line seven times but have only scored touchdowns twice. Braden Narveson has already made eight field goal attempts.
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P Daniel Whelan attempted three passes inside 20 yards on Sunday and all were downed. His net punting average was 46.3 yards. … Starters LT Rasheed Walker, LG Elgton Jenkins, C Josh Myers, RG Shawn Ryan and RT Zach Tom all deserve credit for helping Green Bay gain 261 yards rushing, including 237 in the first half alone. It was Green Bay’s highest single-game rushing total since gaining 262 yards on the ground in a 31-3 win over the Denver Broncos on Dec. 28, 2003. … Willis turned in a career-best performance, completing 12 of 14 passes for his first career touchdown pass and with no turnovers.
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Narveson has missed field goal attempts in each of the first two games. … DL Rashan Gary, who got a sack in Green Bay’s season opener, had neither a sack nor a tackle Sunday.
Injury
RG Jordan Morgan left the game with a shoulder injury, and RB Marshawn Lloyd said Monday he had a sprained ankle.
Key figures
800: With their win Sunday, the Packers became the first NFL team to reach 800 regular-season wins.
Next steps
The Packers visit the Tennessee Titans on Sunday to face Willis’ former team. Green Bay acquired Willis from Tennessee in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick after he lost out to Mason Rudolph for the Titans’ backup quarterback position.
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