What to Expect from Clay Matthews and the Green Bay Defense in Week 12

The overall essence of the Green Bay Packers defense is fairly simple: cause mayhem around the opposing quarterback. That is what defensive coordinator Dom Capers told Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about six weeks ago.

"I think we've been able to disrupt the opposing quarterback, and that's our game" Capers said.

That formula worked pretty well in the first nine weeks of the 2014 season, but the defense was still getting gashed in the run game, as the Packers were ranked dead last in the NFL in rushing defense at that point in time.

Something had to be altered. Capers decided to make a drastic change with his defense before the team's Week 10 matchup versus the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. He moved outside linebacker Clay Matthews to the inside on running downs and then moved him outside at times on passing downs.

So far, that new wrinkle has helped both Matthews and the defense of the Packers as a whole.

In the game against the Bears, Matthews had 11 tackles and a sack. In last week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field, No. 52 had five tackles and another sack.

The ability of the defense to stop the run also improved. The Packers held the Bears to just 55 rushing yards rushing and the Eagles to 109 rushing yards.

That is a stark difference to how the Packers performed against the run the last time the Packers had played these two teams. In Week 4 against the Bears at Soldier Field, Chicago had a whopping 235 rushing yards. In 2013, the last time the Packers played the Eagles, Philadelphia ran for 204 yards.

Green Bay has also improved its statistical standing in the league because of those efforts, as the Packers are now ranked 29th in the NFL in rushing defense.

That's not great, but it's an improvement for sure.

Overall, the Packers are ranked 25th in total defense but 16th in points allowed.

Looking at the how the Packers have been able to cause disorder for opposing quarterbacks, the stats are pretty favorable.

The Packers are ranked 13th in passing defense but sixth in opponent passer rating, which is now at 80.2.

Green Bay is tied for third in the NFL in interceptions with 14 and tied for 11th in sacks with 25.

In terms of overall turnovers, the Packers have produced 22 of them (14 picks and eight fumble recoveries). That has them ranked second in the league in that category.

The icing on the cake for the Packers is that they have been able to score four touchdowns off those turnovers (three interception returns and one fumble recovery return).

Tom Lynn/Associated Press

In Week 12, the Packers will be facing rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for the first time this season. Bridgewater has thrown for 1,479 yards and four touchdown passes versus six interceptions so far this season. That adds up to a passer rating of 75.0.

Bridgewater has also been sacked 20 times.

The Packers will also face a Vikings team that will be without running back Adrian Peterson. The NFL announced on Tuesday that Peterson has been suspended without pay for at least the remainder of the 2014 NFL season.

Peterson had already missed all but one game this season after being placed on the commissioner's exempt list. That included Peterson missing the first game against the Packers. 

In Week 5, the Packers beat the Vikings 42-10 with Christian Ponder at quarterback for Minnesota. Green Bay allowed 111 combined rushing yards to Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon.

According to NFL.com, both Asiata (concussion) and McKinnon (back) were held out of practice on Wednesday. The Vikings did claim running back Ben Tate off waivers on Wednesday, so he may be an option at running back for Sunday's game.

Overall, the Vikings are ranked just 30th in total offense in the NFL. Minnesota is ranked 29th in passing offense and 12th in rushing offense.

Speaking of injuries, Matthews was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday for the Packers because of a groin injury, but Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports he and head coach Mike McCarthy are not too concerned about the injury and No. 52 is expected to play.

That being the case, Bridgewater and the Vikings should expect the Packers and Matthews to show them different looks on Sunday.

Expect Matthews to line up inside on run downs:

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

But also expect to see No. 52 on the outside on some passing downs:

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Likewise, expect to see Matthews harassing and sacking the quarterback like he did here against Mark Sanchez of the Eagles:

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Bottom line, I expect Matthews and the Packers defense to have a big day against Bridgewater and the offense of the Vikings.

I expect to see quite a bit of pass pressure coming from the Packers, especially from the right side of the defense, as left tackle Matt Kalil is having a tough season protecting the quarterback.

That should cause a number of sacks, not to mention the definite possibility of getting some interceptions.

I also expect the Packers to continue their improvement in stopping the run.

All in all, Capers should be smiling after what he will see on Sunday afternoon from Matthews and his defense.