Can the Packers’ secondary pass its biggest test?
By GERY WOELFEL
It’s only five games into the NFL’s regular season, but early indications are the Green Bay Packers secondary will be better than expected.
Maybe much better.
Coming ito the season, there were a host of concerning questions about the Packers’ defensive backs. Veteran cornerback Keisean Nixon was coming off another roller-coaster season, veteran safety Xavier McKinney wasn’t close to being the playmaker like he was in his first season with Green Bay in 2024 when he picked off eight passes.
And there were legitimate concerns about the Packers’ young starters in the secondary – third year-safety Evan Williams, third-year safety Javon Bullard and rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse – and how they would fare.
Well, so far, so good.
McKinney has returned to his playmaking ways – he has three picks already in five games – and Williams and Cisse have been stellar. Nixon and Bullard have been solid.
Heading into Sunday night’s nationally-televised game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, the Packers rank fifth out of the league’s 32 teams in passing yards allowed per game at 181.
Only Seattle (143.3) the Los Angeles Rams (156.8), Minnesota (173.2) and New York Jets (175) rank ahead of Green Bay.
But the Packers’ secondary will be severely tested toda. The Cowboys have one of the premier passing attacks in the business. Quarterback Dak Prescott, receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and tight end Jake Ferguson are all talented and capable of impacting a game.
Led by that foursome, the Cowboys rank fifth in the league in passing yards per game at 269.8, just behind the Packers who average 271 passing yards.
Lamb is particularly dangerous. He has 39 receptions this season, third best in the league, and four touchdown catches, also fourth-best in the league.
Lamb’s had two monster games already this season: a 189-yard day against the Texans two weeks ago and a 153-yard outing against the Commanders earlier this season.
Sunday’s game figures to be a barometer of sorts for both the Packers (3-2) and Cowboys (2-3), but especially for the Packers’ secondary.
WHAT THE ODDSMAKERS ARE SAYING: Packers are favored by 1 point.
WHAT’S GW SAYING: Packers 27, Cowboys 20.
