Third downs - The Packers rank a lowly 28th in the league in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert 25 of 57 chances (43.9 percent). Even worse, when the opponents need 10 yards or more on third down, they've converted seven of 19 (36.8 percent), 29th in the league.


What causes this? It seems to me for years now we have been terrible when it comes to 3rd and long. Why do we not have a problem holding opposing teams to low yards on 1st and 2nd but when 3rd rolls around we give it up.

Would a defense go to a different scheme in 3rd and long situations as opposed to 1st and 10. Less pressure? More pressure? Is this bad coaching? Guys being out of position? Poor tackling? Playing to far off an opponent?

A complete lack of pressuring the QB. Some people are really concerned about our pass protection. I'm equally concerned about our abysmal pass rush. Giving up 3rd and 10+ 37% of the time is simply unacceptable. No decent defense allows that kind of conversion rate. That was what really lost the game against the Vikings. Favre had tons of time to pick our defense apart.

I have to agree.....
Its either poor rushes allowing the QB too much time, the coverage skills of the LB's/DB's lacking - or a combination of both at the same time. A defensive player cant be expected to stay with a receiver for exended periods. Eventually the WR/RB will get some space...

We think of Woodson, Harris, and Collins as pro bowlers, but as a unit they may not be as good as we think. The total value of the unit might be less than the sum of the pieces.

We are tied for fifth worst in giving up pass plays over 20 yds, and tied for fouth worst for plays over 40 yds, but second in interceptions. I don't know, but maybe we take too many chances trying to get the pick? Just a thought.

Combined with lack of pressure, the third down performance kind of makes sence.

I don't know the stats but it sure seems like we've been in the bottom half in that category for years and years

How bout that 3rd and Thirty-FRIGGIN-Four play we gave up against the Bengals, who were practically in their own end-zone... "adjusting to a new scheme" excuses will not cut it... it's so damn infuriating, that... ... (he walks out of house, into the backyard, to the woodshed, closes door... SCREAMS for about 7 seconds, all babies within a 10 mile radius cease crying, he will have a sore throat tomorrow... he calmly returns to the house and sits at his computer)... I'm still not over it.

Absolutely an Achilles heel with the Packers. I remember last year, the inimitable one and myself went to a game in Jacksonville (remember- the JAX game was supposed to be a precursor to the SB in the exhibition season). At one point, the Packers had the Jaguars at third and seventeen. 3rd and 17. I said to myself, "Give up eight yards. Give up ten yards. But DON'T give up a big gain!" Sure enough, the Packers gave up sixteen (16) yards, got the first down, and punched in a TD. This is SO frustrating. I also ask- why?

Maybe they are going into a prefent. Don't good Ds usually go after the QB on 3rd & long?

Good point. And the Packers pass rush has been abysmal for years.

It's weird but I was 100% sure the Bengals would convert that 3rd and 34. It could have been 3rd and 60, and I woulda thought the same.

Well, it always helps when you need 34 yards to fumble forwards about 14 yards.

In 2007, the Packer defense ranked 18th on first and second down, 6th on third down.

KWORST -

nice to see ur still up to your old, tiresome, thorny, surly, see-the-crack-in-everything, water-polo coaching, evian at room temperature drinkin', coming up with something negative to say is easy, so a positive remark requires some thought, and always thinks it's funny but it's not... because it's not... cheap-post accumulating, well-fed troll of a self-help, might-as-well-cheer-for-the-plague routine... yep.

In 2007, the Packers had an edge rusher who fell off the table in 2008. It's not difficult to figure out why we can't get off the field on third and longs.