The Green Bay Packers have to replace a certain guy named Aaron Rodgers under center and that will get all the attention this season, but it won’t matter how good new starting QB Jordan Love is if the defense doesn’t deliver. Let’s take a look at that 2023 defense with Green Bay given an over-under season win total of 7.5 wins on the NFL odds.
2023 Green Bay Packers Defense In-Depth Betting Analysis | MyBookie NFL Preview
Green Bay Packers: 104th season in the NFL
Owner: Green Bay Packers, Inc.
Head Coach: Matt LaFleur
Home Field: Lambeau Field | Green Bay, Wisconsin
Super Bowl Odds: +5200
Odds to win NFC: +2300
Odds to win NFC North: +400
Regular-season wins: 7.5
To make playoffs: No -206, yes +166
Many around the Packers wanted head coach Matt LaFleur to fire defensive coordinator Joe Barry after last year’s 8-9 mark and the team missing the playoffs, but LaFleur didn’t. Barry has six seasons of experience in the NFL as a defensive coordinator (Detroit, 2007-08; Washington, 2015-16; Green Bay, 2021-22) and 21 years of coaching experience in the league.
This season, Barry will have at his disposal eight first-rounders, including this year’s No. 13 overall pick, outside linebacker Lukas Van Ness. Another 17th-place ranking in total defense like last season could spell the end of Barry and force LaFleur to hire the third defensive coordinator of his head-coaching tenure.
With Rashan Gary’s torn ACL exposing a lack of depth, the Packers were expected to use a premium draft pick in 2023 on one of the top edge defenders. The Packers had ample options at No. 13, including Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid and Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones but opted for Van Ness. In two seasons at Iowa, Van Ness totaled 14 sacks as both an interior pass rusher and edge defender. In pass-rushing situations, Van Ness was too quick for most guards, and his bull rush on the edge was uncommon. He possesses violent, heavy hands.
Van Ness has mostly run with the backups at training camp. His reps as a starter have been rare. Van Ness isn’t concerned yet: “It’s just the rotation we have, throwing guys out there and giving them a chance to compete for an opportunity,” Van Ness said over the weekend. “So far, [position coach Jason] Rebrovich says stay at his hip and when a guy is ready to go out, make sure you’re ready. Every time you get that opportunity, make it a good one. To me, it doesn’t mean anything – first, second third-team reps – they’re all valuable opportunities to go out there and play.”
The Packers placed cornerback Eric Stokes and Gary on the active/physically unable to perform list ahead of the opening of training camp. Stokes is working his way back from Lisfranc foot surgery that ended his 2022 season, and Gary is coming off his torn ACL. He may or may not be ready for Week 1.
Gary tore his ACL in Week 9 against the Lions after totaling 32 tackles, 12 quarterback hits and six sacks the first eight games. The Packers’ pass rush was much less effective after Gary went out in early November. It had a 40% pressure rate when Gary was on the field, but that dropped to 32% without Gary. Stokes injured his knee and foot in the same game and required a plate and two screws to fix his foot. He had only 26 tackles — with no passes defensed or interceptions — in his second season.
Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt was selected No. 28 overall out of Georgia last year but played sparingly as a rookie. He is now expected to play a big role in the defensive line rotation, likely starting alongside Pro Bowler Kenny Clark. The Packers added two more rookies in the trenches in the 2023 NFL Draft with Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks. Along with Wyatt, they have infused youth and speed into the defensive line, providing the team with a much-needed different look.
“I can tell you right now — this defense, we bringing more pressure, we attacking more and we ready to dominate more this year than last year,” Wyatt said.
Green Bay must keep Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander healthy. He had a career-high five interceptions in 2022. He added 14 passes defensed and four tackles for a loss and was named to the All-Pro second team for the second time in the past three seasons.
Beginning in Week 8 last year after combining for just one interception to that point, Alexander and fellow starting CB Rasul Douglas each picked off four passes for a total of eight INTs between them over the last 10 games. Moreover, they each had four interceptions in the fourth quarter, tying for the league lead in that category.
Entering a season where the margin for error has shrunk following the departure of Aaron Rodgers, Alexander is carrying a heavy load defensively. Individually, 15 receivers on Green Bay’s 2023 schedule have at least one 1,000-yard season on their resume.
“It’s just talking to each other, telling each other what we’ve been seeing all game,” Douglas said of their fourth-quarter thievery. “I think that’s why I like playing with Ja.”
The Packers are currently 2-point underdogs for Week 1 in Chicago.
NFL Expert Prediction
Packers under 7.5 wins (7-10 record)
Bet Green Bay Packers to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
2023 Green Bay Defense Positions
POS | Starter | Second |
---|---|---|
Left Defensive End | Kenny Clark | Karl Brooks |
Right Defensive End | Devonte Wyatt | Chris Slayton |
Left Defensive Tackle | David Bakhtiari | Rasheed Walker |
Right Defensive Tackle | Yosh Nijman | Zach Tom |
Strongside Linebacker | Rashan Gary | Kingsley Enagbare |
Left Inside Linebacker | De’Vondre Campbell | Eric Wilson |
Right Inside Linebacker | Quay Walker | Isaiah McDuffie |
Weakside Linebacker | Preston Smith | Lukas Van Ness |
Right Cornerback | Rasul Douglas | Eric Stokes |
Left Cornerback | Jaire Alexander | Keisean Nixon |
Strong Safety | Jonathan Owens | Rudy Ford |
Free Safety | Darnell Savage | Anthony Johnson Jr. |
2024 NFL Calendar by Week
I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?
Bet NFL Today
MyBookie Odds for the Games
NFL Betting Center
NFL Odds and Lines
NFL Game Lines |
NFL Playoff Odds |
Super Bowl Odds |
AFC Champion Odds |
NFC Champion Odds |
Latest NFL Betting Predictions:
- Bengals vs. Chiefs Pick for 2024 NFL Week 2: Expert Insights and Daily Line NFL Football Predictions
- Steelers vs. Broncos Pick: Key Insights from the NFL Las Vegas Betting Line for Week 2
- 2024 Thursday Night Football Pick: Bills vs Dolphins Week 2 Game Analysis
- Sunday Night Football & Rookies Rivalry: Stroud vs. Williams in Bears vs Texans Showdown
- Expert Analysis: 2024 Top ATS Picks for NFL Week 2 You Need to Watch