By Gil Martin,The Packers Post

Copyright yardbarker

The Green Bay Packers pulled off a blockbuster trade when they acquired edge rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys. Through two games, the Green Bay defense has done an excellent job of stopping two highly regarded offenses. The Packers held both the Lions and the Commanders to less than 250 total yards and to fewer than 20 points. The Packers are 2-0 and the defense looks dominant. We now analyze the impact Micah Parsons has had on the Packers defense thus far. Keep in mind he has been on a play count thus far after missing the preseason and training camp due to his contract dispute with the Cowboys.

Analyzing the Impact of Micah Parsons on the Packers Defense: The Pass Rush

The most obvious impact for the Packers defense has been the pass rush. Last season, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley wanted to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks by rushing only his front four. That proved ineffective and the defense had to resort to various blitz packages, stunts, and deceptive pressure packages.

The addition of Parsons has changed that. Because offenses need to double team Parsons and account for him on every play, the Packers have benefitted. Not only is Parsons getting to the quarterback, but his teammates have been freed up and they are getting more chances to get to the passer.

Through the first two games, the Packers have sacked the quarterback eight times and produced 21 quarterback hits.

As far as pressure goes, Parsons has 10 pressures and 1.5 sacks while playing on a snap count. Rashan Gary, the starter opposite Parsons, has nine pressures and 2.5 sacks. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt has 11 pressures and two sacks. Clearly, the entire defensive line has benefited from the addition of Parsons.

The Secondary Has Also Benefited

The Green Bay secondary also has benefited from the addition of Parsons. The defensive backs can concentrate on taking away the short pass knowing that the pass rush will impede the ability of opposing offenses to throw long.

Offensive coordinators will likely attempt fewer long passes because they have to respect the pass rush. If they do attempt them, the pass rush makes it less likely the quarterback will have enough time to throw downfield accurately, which makes the secondary’s job easier.

The biggest illustration of this was the strong game Keisean Nixon had against Washington. The South Carolina alum broke up five passes in the game. Last season, he recorded a career high seven in 17 games. Because Nixon knew he could concentrate on the short routes, he was able to anticipate the pattern and break up more passes.

The opposing coaches are also more likely to keep a tight end in to block in an attempt to protect the quarterback. That means the secondary has a numerical advantage in the secondary. The Packers will have five defensive backs on the field with two or three receivers out in the pattern. By straight numbers, this gives the defense an advantage.

Analyzing the Impact of Micah Parsons on the Packers Defense: Jeff Hafley

The addition of Parsons also gives Hafley more options on defense. First, it allows the Packers to put more of their best pass rushers on the field at once. Either Parsons or Lukas Van Ness has frequently lined up inside. That allows the Packers to have four of their best pass rushers on the field at once with Parsons, Van Ness, Gary, and Wyatt all coming at the same time. If the offense doubles Parsons, the other three have only one blocker to beat.

In addition, the Packers still have the option of blitzing or using deception at the line of scrimmage. Both Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper are fast linebackers who can get to the passer. Instead of blitzing those players out of necessity to get to the quarterback, Hafley can pick and choose when he utilizes the blitz. Thus far, Cooper has two quarterback hits and half a sack and Walker has one hit.

Hafley has also been able to improve the pass rush without sacrificing the run defense. The run defense has allowed a total of 97 yards on 41 carries, a 2.4-yard average. That includes shutting down the Lions vaunted rushing attack and Jayden Daniels, one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the game. By playing zone and maintaining their rush lanes, the defense held Daniels to 17 yards on seven carries while sacking him four times.

Clearly, Parsons has already made a big impact on the Green Bay defense. The encouraging thing remains that that impact could grow as he gets more comfortable in the defense and gets into football shape.