Packers defense looking to improve

Updated: Thursday, 05 Jan 2012, 6:26 PM CST
Published : Thursday, 05 Jan 2012, 6:13 PM CST

GREEN BAY - Though they were missing Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson, the Packers' defense was burned for 575 total yards and 41 points by the Lions in Week 17, continuing an alarming trend of giving up significant yardage and points.

That is a reputation doesn’t sit well with defensive tackle B.J. Raji.

“We're very capable," Raji said. "We've shown that at times but obviously our total defense was not what we expect, especially around here.”

The defense ranks last in the NFL in yards per game, allowing 411.6, and passing yards per game at 299.8.

The defense also struggled against the run, giving up 4.7 yards per attempt.

With plenty of game film, and thanks to the bye, plenty of time, the coaching staff broke down the defense by position and as a whole.

Safety Charlie Peprah, one of the league leaders in interceptions, enjoyed the chance to get in the extra work.

“You know, we kind of sat there and let coaches coach up each position in front of the team and see how he whole defense fits together and what happens if you don't do your job," he said. "It doesn't just affect you, it affects the other 10 players on the field.”

Unseasonably warm weather allowed the team to practice outside for most of Wednesday and Thursday, and that was the only thing that had coach Mike McCarthy upbeat.

“It was a great day to go back and see the good and not so good taking a certain call or concept, whether it's against screens or deceptives and base calls and pressure calls and show what's supposed to look like and mistakes we've made with those calls,” McCarthy said.

The news isn't all bad for the defense.

It tied for first in the NFL in turnovers forced and first in interceptions. Something the team doesn't want to have to count on, according to Peprah.

“We don't try and rely on that but that's kind of been the formula," peprah said. "Defense wins championships, so we're going to have to play championship-caliber defense come next week.”

In the end, after going 15-1 defensive coordinator Dom Capers feels it’s the numbers on the scoreboard that matter the most.

“Always the stat to me that matters is points allowed," Capers said. "You've got to evaluate what you can do to keep them out of the end zone. If they're gaining lots of yardage against you and you're still keeping them out of the end zone. That's still your best chance of winning.”