NFL Green Bay Packers Odds: Defense In-Depth Betting Analysis

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If you include the NFL in your sports betting, then you already know that the Green Bay Packers are going through major change heading into 2023. Jordan Love will be the new starting quarterback, so most of the chatter involves the Packers’ offense, but it’s time for the defense to step it up, as GM Brian Gutekunst has used seven first-round draft picks on defense, but they haven’t been able to become an elite unit. Now, without Rodgers to mount his trademark comeback drives, the defense needs to step up. Let’s look at some issues the defense needs to resolve.

NFL Betting News: An In-depth Analysis of the Green Bay Defense

The defense did improve at the end of last season, as the Packers almost turned a terrible start into a wild-card berth. That’s why Joe Barry got to keep his job as defensive coordinator, but the 2022 trend matched what has happened throughout his tenure in Green Bay – slow starts to the season, followed by adjustments and improvement. The problem is that the adjustment last year came too late for the Packers to make the playoffs. This year, with a new starting quarterback moving into the primary role after three years on the bench, there isn’t that same room for error.

De’Vondre Campbell came to Green Bay before the 2021 season and was one of the top inside linebackers in the NFL that season, making the All-Pro squad. However, 2022 did not turn out the same way. He did have two interceptions, just like he did in 2021, but he had to miss some time due to injury. Even when he was on the field, though, his play looked sluggish, and he didn’t have that quick first step that he had the season before. Quay Walker also has potential at inside linebacker, but he is a young player still figuring out some maturity issues. Campbell needs to lead by example, on and off the field, to justify the large chunk of the salary cap he’s taking up.

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Safety looks like a vulnerable position in the Green Bay defense. They have cornerback squared away, and the defensive line is set, but the back of the secondary is still in flux. The top two on the depth chart are Darnell Savage and Rudy Ford; Ford took Savage’s spot when Matt LaFleur sent Savage to the bench for shoddy play, but Ford was not significantly better. Ford is terrific on special teams, but a regular spot on defense is not ideal for him. Savage is back, perhaps mostly because Gutekunst used a first-round pick on him, but also because there’s almost no one behind him – and Gutekunst decided to pick up Savage’s fifth-year option last year. Savage has tremendous physical traits for a safety, but he just can’t tackle. During the off-season, the Pack added Tarvarius Moore from the 49ers and Jonathan Owens from Houston, and both could end up starting, but only as short-term solutions.

Outside linebacker Lukas Van Ness will be expected to contribute sooner than later, as Rashan Gary is still recovering from the injury that brought his 2022 season to an end, so Van Ness could get rushed into the starting lineup. Preston Smith is also there on the pass rush; he contributed heavily in 2022 after Gary’s injury. Justin Hollins and Kingsley Enagbare are back in 2023; Enagbare was a fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft and played well last year. Hollins came over from the Rams on waivers in the middle of the season and played serviceably.

So in the final analysis, the Packers have some interesting contributors on defense (although the safety position is still a dumpster fire waiting to happen). If the unit plays well from the start of the season, this is a defense that could set things up nicely for Jordan Love. If not…then the Packers could be looking up at Minnesota and Detroit in the division.

2023 Green Bay Defense Positions