The Green Bay Packers’ whole fan base is sick of defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s penchant for zone defense. Still, they may want him to rely heavily on that strategy against Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears in Week 18.
Since Fields’ return from injury in Week 11, the Bears have been on a roll. The Bears have won four of their last five games, including a 37-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. Fields was able to shred the Falcons’ primary man defense.
This week, Fields will not see much man defense in Green Bay. Barry is notorious for using zone defense, even while allowing a wide receiver like Mike Evans to be covered by a linebacker.
However, Barry’s plan may work against the Chicago.
The Green Bay Packers’ defense has the upper hand over the Chicago Bears’ offense.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Fields had superior numbers this season against man coverage. Fields performs poorly when forced to face the zone:
“Here are Fields’ numbers this season vs man and zone coverages, according to the NFL’s Next Gen statistics:
Man: 54.1%, 11 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 1,066 yards, 6.8 yards per attempt, 81.4 passer rating
Zone: 66.0%, 5 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 1,348 yards, 6.9 yards per attempt, 26.4 passer rating
There is a significant gap in his QBR for a number of reasons. Fields may do more damage as a runner against teams that deploy man coverage because defenders run with their backs to the quarterback. Zone coverage focuses greater attention on the passer. He has also struggled to locate throwing windows against zone defense at times. Fields’ QBR versus man coverage ranks fourth in the NFL. Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys leads the league with 90.8 yards per carry, despite the fact that he rarely pulls the ball down and runs.
Fields’ versus zone coverage QBR of 26.4 ranks 28th in the league. Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars leads the way with 72.5 points, followed by Houston Texans rookie C.J. Stroud (72.3).
I believe you are correct, and the Bears will face a lot of zone coverage on Sunday at Lambeau Field. In the season opener at Soldier Field, the Packers used zone coverage 79% of the time.”
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For Barry, Fields, and Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, this game is crucial. All three are vying for their positions at the end of the season.
Barry’s only reason for returning to Green Bay in 2024 is to help the Packers make a deep playoff run. They will undoubtedly make the playoffs if they defeat the Bears in Week 18.
Fields is the ideal quarterback for Barry’s defense to gain confidence as the postseason approaches.
