The Green Bay Packers find themselves on the outskirts of the NFC Playoff picture with a 7-8 record, a stark contrast to the optimism just three weeks ago when they held the seventh seed at 5-6. The recent defensive struggles under coordinator Joe Barry have intensified fan frustrations.
In their latest game against the Carolina Panthers, the Packers secured a narrow 33-30 victory, but Barry’s defense allowed two fourth-quarter touchdowns, almost giving up a game-tying field goal. This marked another in a series of disappointing performances, with Barry’s defensive scheme enabling lesser-known quarterbacks like Bryce Young, Tommy DeVito, Desmond Ridder, Kenny Pickett, and Baker Mayfield to shine against the Packers this season.
The decision to suspend cornerback Jaire Alexander for Week 17 raised questions among fans about the inconsistency in holding players accountable. Barry’s post-game comments didn’t alleviate concerns, as he downplayed the defensive struggles, stating, “I thought for 53 minutes, we played very well.”
This statement contradicted the fan perspective, evident in social media reactions expressing disbelief at Barry’s assessment. Many argue that the defense played at best “okay” for most of the game, with late-game heroics from the offense saving them from a potential loss.
The article highlights the growing discontent among fans, emphasizing the need for a change at the defensive coordinator position in the upcoming offseason. The discrepancy between Barry’s evaluation and fan reactions underscores the urgency for improvements in the defensive strategy to secure the team’s postseason hopes.