Kyle Shanahan, coach of the San Francisco 49ers, is delighted with the Green Bay Packers’ defense’s recent improvements under defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
The Packers concluded the 2023 regular season with a below-average overall defense, placing 17th in the NFL. Nonetheless, that porous wall was nowhere to be found in the Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys, who made life difficult for Dak Prescott and company en way to a 48-32 victory.
While the Cowboys scored 32 points, they were unable to generate any offense until garbage time in the fourth quarter. Dallas scored only 16 points through three quarters, but Green Bay’s offense, paced by Jordan Love and Aaron Jones, had already pulled away with 41 points.
The Packers intercepted Dak Prescott twice and sacked him four times, all while protecting their own quarterback, Love. The Green Bay offensive line allowed no sacks and paved the way for 143 running yards.
Kyle Shanahan praises Joe Barry and the Green Bay Packers defense.
Kyle Shanahan was questioned by reporters on Tuesday about his thoughts on Joe Barry’s work on the Green Bay Packers defense and how it performed against the Dallas Cowboys. Sure enough, the San Francisco 49ers’ head coach didn’t hold back in his praise, stating that they are “extremely sound.”
Shanahan specifically mentioned that the Packers defense’s improved health is a major component, and it’s something he and the 49ers should be aware of when they face in the divisional round.
“They looked so excellent against Dallas. I hadn’t seen much of them until the last ten days, and I’ve definitely caught up a lot in the last two. I believe they are a really good defense. “The numbers don’t always tell the truth,” Shanahan said of the Packers’ defense, according to 49ers WebZone.
“They had a couple of games where they got cheap yards, but they’re good at both running and passing. They can reach the quarterback. They are highly sound. They’re becoming healthier. Joe has my full respect.
I had the opportunity to work with him in Tampa during my first few years of professional experience. He’s played in a variety of defenses and has faced him several times with the Rams. Then in Green Bay, his plan just keeps getting stronger and better.”
If the Packers can reproduce their recent success against the 49ers, they have a good chance of pulling off the upset. Sure enough, Shanahan and his team will do everything they can to prepare for the challenge.
