The Packers’ four losses have had one thing in common: In the fourth quarter, the opposing team has had a long, sustained drive that Green Bay’s defense couldn’t stop.
In Week One, the 49ers got the ball at their own 35-yard line with 4:52 to play and proceeded to run 11 plays, gain 50 yards, and kick a field goal with only 26 seconds left.
In Week Three, the Bengals got the ball at their own 5-yard line, trailing 30-21 in the fourth quarter, and marched 95 yards for a touchdown that closed the gap to 30-27 before a Cincinnati defensive touchdown gave the Bengals a 34-30 win.
In Week Nine, the Bears put the game away with an 18-play, 80-yard drive that took 8:58 off the clock and ended with a field goal that gave the Packers a 27-20 deficit with just 50 seconds left.
In Week Ten, the Eagles’ took the ball over with 9:32 remaining and ended up running out that entire 9:32 with a 15-play, 70-yard drive.
Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk says the defense needs a sense of urgency.
“We think we do have that urgency,” Hawk told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “And when things like this happen, sometimes that’ll get that urgency at a higher level even. Maybe it will. We’re going to be battling. I’m not quitting.”
The good news, in Hawk’s opinion, is that the Packers’ defense has what it takes to play a lot better than it has been.
“With how quickly it’s gone south, we can turn that around really quick,” Hawk said.
With Aaron Rodgers no longer around to win high-scoring games for them, the Packers’ defense needs to turn things around now.