The Green Bay Packers defense showcased its strength with eight sacks and two interceptions against the Tennessee Titans in a commanding 30-14 win.
Xavier McKinney described the Packers’ pass rush as “lovely,” a stark contrast to how Titans quarterback Will Levis might feel after being pressured throughout the game. Green Bay’s front seven made life difficult for Levis, bringing him down eight times, which eased the workload for the secondary.
The defense’s intensity peaked in the fourth quarter with four sacks, two of which came on critical third downs, allowing the Packers to maintain a two-possession lead even without starting quarterback Jordan Love. The secondary also played a key role, picking off Levis twice and bringing their interception total to seven in just three games, compared to six for all of last season.
Defensive end JJ Enagbare forced a fumble late in the third quarter, which was recovered by Lukas Van Ness. McKinney capitalized on the pressure, intercepting Levis in the fourth quarter after Kenny Clark and Preston Smith disrupted the pocket.
McKinney reflected on the team’s synergy, saying, “When the pass rush is effective, it makes things easier for us DBs.”
In a standout moment, cornerback Jaire Alexander intercepted a curl route intended for DeAndre Hopkins, returning it for a touchdown—his first pick-six since high school. “It felt really amazing,” Alexander said of the score, which helped the Packers extend their lead.
Despite the offense struggling in the second half, punting on four of six drives, the defense continued to dominate. The eight sacks were just shy of the franchise record, with four players contributing at least one full sack, and three linebackers sharing a half-sack.
Alexander praised the pass rush, joking about their impressive performance, while McKinney emphasized the defense’s unity, saying they are “all playing as one.”
New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has prioritized this teamwork, and the players are committed to continual improvement. Coach Matt LaFleur highlighted the depth of the defense, with contributions from rookie safeties and linebackers filling in effectively.
McKinney summed it up well: “We’re bonding and building something special.”
