One Area Where Green Bay's Defense is Excelling

Don’t look now, but the Packers defense is in the top three in the NFL in an important category.

Okay, you can look now.

The Dom Capers-led defense is third in the NFL in holding opposing offenses to converting just 26.5 percent of third downs in the fourth quarter or overtime.

Green Bay trails the Saints (25.8 percent) and their division rival Minnesota (25 percent).

Interestingly enough, the defense’s ability to hold the opposing offense on third down hasn’t impacted the other team’s ability to score in the fourth quarter.

In the four contests following Aaron Rodgers’ injury, each opposing offense has been able to score at least 10 points on the Packers’ defense in the fourth quarter.

The Packers defense stood tall on third down against the Ravens

In last Sunday’s contest against the Ravens, the Packers defense faced third down four times on four separate drives:

• 14:18 left, 3rd and 9 from the Baltimore 47: Joe Flacco completes a pass to Mike Williams for four yards to the Green Bay 49. The Ravens would punt on the next play.
• 8:34 left, 3rd and 8 from the Baltimore 46: Joe Flacco completes a pass to Jeremy Maclin for five yards to the Green Bay 49. The Ravens would punt on the next play.
• 4:58 left, 3rd and 6 from the Green Bay 9: Joe Flacco completes a pass to Danny Woodhead for four yards to the Green Bay 5. The Ravens would kick a field goal on the next play.
• 2:40 left, 3rd and 14 from the Green Bay 34: Alex Collins runs to the right and is tackled by Vince Biegel for a two yard loss. The Ravens would punt on the next play.

All told, Baltimore only converted three of fourteen on third down for the game, a testament to the Packers strong defensive effort. Despite starting five drives on the Packers’ side of the field, the Ravens were held largely in check.