Since Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers took over the reins in 2008, the Packers have won quite a few shootouts. On numerous occasions, Rodgers had to outmaneuver opposing quarterbacks and offenses to make up for the lackluster defense Green Bay has had in the past.

There’s been a ton of hype around the Green Bay defense going into this season. The talent is justifiable, and it could be through the roof with the big question remaining of whether the pieces of the puzzle will fit together.

Sunday’s win over Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay was a defensive clinic for most of the afternoon with the unit led by defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Final result: 14-12 Packers win and he moves 2-1 on the season.

Since Rodgers started in 2008, Green Bay has gone 3-27 with 14 points or less. They scored his fourth victory over the Brady Legends.

Rodgers points to the brilliance of this defense throughout the offseason, noting that in training camp the defense worked against the offense on certain days and that the superstar quarterback at one point accepted the stalemate as a win for the offense. He said he was willing to

When asked when the offense would begin to overwhelm the defense, Rodgers replied, “I don’t know if it will.” “I mean, they’re a talented bunch. I want to get stuck every day. I think it’s possible.”

His accolades rang out after the win over Tampa Bay, following a game in which the Packers’ offense spewed fire and fell off a cliff throughout the second half.

Of the team’s balance, Rodgers said, “Sometimes it leans a little to one side.” But our defense keeps them down to 12 points, so we can probably win every game.”

Rodgers’ three pre-Sunday wins came as the Packers faced quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Jay Cutler in 2010 and Mitchell Trubisky in 2019. The day when the offense was even more impressive.

So what does that mean?

Perhaps it’s just a moment on the radar, and Green Bay’s defense in 2022 will sink toward the middle of the pack, like so many seasons past.

Rookie linebacker and first-round pick Key Walker has already made his mark on this group, flying around the field each week making big plays alongside fellow inside linebacker Devondle Campbell. to Green Bay.

Defensive tackle Kenny Clarke has been a demon against offensive lines all year long, and eyesight tests have seen outlets like Pro Football Focus rank Clarke 6th overall among 120 interior linemen. shows it as well. Clarke had two sacks on Sunday, but edge rusher Rashan Gary continued to flex his muscles and picked up another sack himself.

In the secondary, cornerbacks Jaile Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasoul Douglas make up something of a trio in a facing wide receiver group, with Stokes being targeted just once by Brady on Sunday.

Barry’s unit has given the Buccaneers 12 points and the Chicago Bears 10 in the past two weeks after failing in their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Wondering if this group is different enough to carry much of its weight is a promising start.

Rodgers has 10 playoff losses in his career. In his six losses of those, the opposing team scored him 51, 45, 44, 37 (twice), and he scored 31 points. The offense that Green Bay is building now is a work in progress, and there’s a lot of inexperience at wide receivers or faces that Green Bay’s Rodgers wasn’t used to before. At least that’s to be expected, but it’s unclear how many layers will peel off by the time the regular season chapter is written and the new chapter begins in the playoffs. Because this team has to rely on them even more. This is something Green Bay has not been able to do in the past.

If Barry’s group takes up the challenge, the Packers will definitely be in contention for the Lombardi Trophy. If they fade out of the spotlight and ride a rollercoaster of contradictions, this attack may not be able to hold things for serious execution.

Green Bay has a different vibe this year. That’s because for the first time in a long time, you may have a legitimate defense. If Sunday was any indicator, there would be more confusion for attacks lining the other side of the defense.