GREEN BAY, Wis. – To implement his new offensive plan, Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley knew he would have to rely on a strength-in-numbers approach on the defensive line.
Seven games into the season, that’s what stood out on film for Jacksonville offensive coordinator Press Taylor ahead of Sunday’s Packers-Jaguars game.
“It feels like the defensive line is just a whole new wave every play,” Taylor told reporters Thursday. “You watch the Houston game, and they just attacked [quarterback C.J. Stroud] with incessant pressure. Not even always extra people, just fresh legs, guys flying off the football, attacking.
“It just comes out of the tape. They were able to overwhelm Houston, even though there were no free runners. Just a lot of energy, a lot of really good players, just a flurry of passers passing and everyone shooting the ball.
The approach is evident when comparing instantaneous percentages from 2023 to 2024.
DT Kenny Clark: 72.9 percent in 2023; 70.9 percent in 2024
DT Devonte Wyatt: 49.7 percent in 2023; 45.6 percent in his four games in 2024
DT TJ Slaton: 56.4% in 2023; 40.1 percent in 2024
DT Karl Brooks: 34.2 percent in 2023; 42.5 percent in 2024
Advantage: Rashan Gary: 52.8 percent in 2023 (60.8 percent when he returns to the starting lineup); 64.5 percent in 2024
Edge: Preston Smith: 65.9 percent in 2023; 56.4 percent in 2024
Edge: Kingsley Enagbare: 40.7 percent in 2023; 43.4 percent in 2024
Advantage: Lukas Van Ness: 32.9 percent in 2023; 41.4 percent in 2024
“Philosophically, I think a lot of coaches would like to have new D-linemen because the same O-linemen are there every play,” Hafley said Thursday. “If you can overwhelm them and wear them down, I think when you come late to games, it’s an advantage for the defense. Imagine your left tackle or your right tackle is ready for 65 snaps but your defensive ends, you have four guys who have played between 28 and 45 plays.
“We’re going to be a lot fresher at the end of the game when 2 minutes is the most important part or there’s a key third down in the game. I think we’re in a situation where we have a lot of guys who can do it, and we trust them. Because you can’t just say, “We’re going to rotate no matter what.” You have to trust the guys, know what they are doing and they are good enough to play. So we had the chance to do it.
The only real workhorse of the group was Clark. Although his snap count was down only slightly, he played more than 80 percent of the snaps in seven of 17 games last season, compared to one this year.
“Fourth quarter, it’s as fresh as I’ve been in a minute,” Clark said. “From the start of the fourth game, I’m used to playing close to 60 snaps per game. I think that’s the lowest level I’ve played at in terms of snaps. It really helped me, especially later in matches and in the second half of matches.
Last week against the Texans, there were 64 defensive snaps. Clark was the only defensive tackle to play more than half the snaps (47). On the defensive side, Gary (38), Enagbare (36) and Van Ness (35) played just over half the snaps and Smith (28) played just under half.
“I definitely noticed it myself, like ‘Dang, I could still play another half of the game’ or something,” Enagbare said. “It’s really beneficial for us to know that you can play hard for four games knowing that you’re about to come out and catch your breath for the next series. Next time you come, you will be fresh.
The sheer number of bodies the Packers will throw at the Jaguars worries Taylor, especially if his team is forced to throw the ball late in the game. His offensive line has been decent, with the Jaguars ranking 15th in sack percentage. In the five losses, the Jaguars have allowed 17 sacks. In both wins, they allowed none.
“It was impressive (but) not fun to watch as you build up to it,” Taylor said of the film. “But at the same time you respect good football. They played good football and did a great job making life difficult for Houston. Not just third down situations, but really every situation throughout this game.
“It’s a very energetic group. They seem to have a lot of fun doing what they do. They really seem to know what they’re being asked to do in this scheme, and they’re playing some really good football right now.
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